La Douleur Exquise
In English, la douleur exquise means the ache of wanting someone unattainable. In actual French, it's a medical term for sharply localised pain.
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La douleur exquisevsRetrouvailles
The short answer
A perfect inverse, and worth putting side by side. Retrouvailles is genuine, current, dictionary-attested French that English mostly ignores. La douleur exquise is a phrase English adores and French uses for something else entirely.
Side by side
| Aspect | La douleur exquise | Retrouvailles |
|---|---|---|
| Real French | Yes, but medical | Yes, as used |
| Borrowed by English | Constantly | Rarely |
| Used by French speakers | For fractures | For reunions |
| Verdict | Over-borrowed | Under-borrowed |
What each one means
Retrouvailles
Retrouvailles is the reunion of people who have been apart — the event and its joy folded into one word.
Full definition of Retrouvailles →