French Conversation · Level 187
15 words
French word
épier
Pronunciation
IPA/epje/
Meaning
- verbeavesdrop on ___
Example
Ils épient la conversation de leurs voisins.
They are eavesdropping on their neighbors' conversation.
More examples
Il épiait par la serrure.
He was spying through the keyhole.
Core concept
Someone keeping a covert eye on a target to learn what it does.
Common phrases
épier par la serrure
spy through the keyhole
épier les faits et gestes
watch someone's every move
Similar words
regarder: To simply look at something.
observer: To watch carefully to notice details or changes.
surveiller: To monitor something for signs of movement or change.
espionner: To secretly study a person or organization to collect information.
Definition in French
Observer discrètement quelqu'un ou quelque chose pour connaître ses actions sans se faire remarquer.
Word origin
The verb developed from Old French espier, ultimately linked with Latin specio, 'to look', as watching came to imply secrecy and close attention.
Usage tips
- Épier suggests secretive or suspicious observation, so surveiller is often more neutral when the idea is ordinary monitoring.
Other meanings
- spy on ___verb
- watch ___verb