Couler vs. s'écouler

The French words 'couler' and 's'écouler' both relate to the flow of a liquid but are used in slightly different contexts. Understanding these differences enhances communication accuracy in French.

Couler

'Couler' is a transitive or intransitive verb that directly refers to the action of flowing, typically used for liquids or fluids, often invoking the sense of pouring or leaking out without implying a specific direction or passage of time.
Le robinet coule ; il doit être réparé.
(The faucet is leaking; it must be fixed.)
La lave du volcan coule vers le village.
(The lava from the volcano flows towards the village.)
Son nez commence à couler à cause de l'allergie.
(Her nose is starting to run because of the allergy.)

S'écouler

'S'écouler', a reflexive verb, suggests a flow or passage over a period of time, generally used to depict liquid moving from one place to another gradually or the abstract concept of time passing. It emphasizes duration and continuous movement rather than immediate action.
L'eau s'écoule lentement dans la rivière.
(The water flows slowly in the river.)
Les heures s'écoulent lentement au bureau aujourd'hui.
(The hours are slowly passing by at the office today.)
Deux semaines se sont écoulées depuis leur dernière rencontre.
(Two weeks have passed since their last meeting.)

Summary

While 'couler' refers to a liquid that flows out or leaks, often used for immediate situations, 's'écouler' emphasizes a more prolonged and continuous movement, such as water flowing down a stream or time slipping away progressively. Distinguishing between these two verbs refines understanding and expression regarding flow in both physical and metaphorical senses in French.