Why do I need to know ému?

It’s commonly used to show you are touched by someone’s gratitude or sympathy, and shouldn’t be confused with the Australian bird.

What does it mean?

Ému or émue means ‘moved’ or ‘touched’, from the verb s’émouvoir. So when someone says Je suis ému they are not talking about one of the world’s largest living birds, but rather showing that they are moved by something.

Use it like this

Je suis toute émue – I’m all emotional

Je suis tout ému d’être ici avec vous – I’m so thrilled to be here with you

Je suis très ému de votre gentillesse – I’m very touched by your kindness

Synonyms

Être touché – To be touched

Avoir le coeur serré – To have a lump in your throat

S’attendrir – To be moved, touched

Not to be confused with….

Émeu – A flightless bird of Australia and second-largest living bird after the ostrich.