A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "She's not breathing" in French
Use 'Elle ne respire pas' to alert someone that a woman or girl is not breathing in an emergency.
Elle ne respire pas.
el nuh res-PEER PAHneutral
French TTS · 0:01
This is a critical phrase to use when someone, specifically a female, has stopped breathing. It's for immediate use in a medical emergency, like finding someone unconscious.
Alternatives
- Il ne respire pas.Use this if the person is male.
- La personne ne respire pas.Use this if you don't know or want to specify the gender.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'respire'
The 'e' at the end of 'respire' is silent; focus on the 'ee' sound in the middle.
Forgetting 'ne...pas'
The negation 'ne...pas' is essential for forming negative sentences in French.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How do I say she's not breathing in French?
You say 'Elle ne respire pas.' This is the standard and most direct way to state the situation.
What if it's a man who isn't breathing?
You would say 'Il ne respire pas.' The pronoun changes based on the gender of the person.
Is 'Elle ne respire pas' formal?
This phrase is neutral and direct, suitable for emergencies regardless of formality. It's about conveying urgent information.
