French Conversation · Level 86
60 words
French word
aborder
Pronunciation
IPA/abɔʁde/
Meaning
- verbaddress
Example
Pendant la réunion, elle a abordé le problème du budget.
During the meeting, she addressed the budget problem.
More examples
Il a abordé un collègue au café pour parler du projet.
He approached a colleague at the cafe to talk about the project.
Core concept
Coming alongside someone or bringing a subject into the shared space of a conversation.
Common phrases
aborder un sujet
address a topic
aborder un problème
address a problem
aborder quelqu'un
approach someone
Similar words
évoquer: To allude briefly to a subject.
traiter: To handle a problem or theme thoroughly.
discuter: To discuss an issue by sharing opinions.
mentionner: To mention something in passing.
Definition in French
S'approcher d'une personne pour lui parler, ou commencer à traiter un sujet.
Word origin
Old French aborder meant reaching or approaching a shore, from a and bord; this physical approach developed into addressing a person and introducing a topic.
Usage tips
- In 'aborder quelqu'un', the person is the direct object, so French uses no preposition before the person.