French Conversation · Level 103
60 words
French word
abuser
Pronunciation
IPA/abyze/
Meaning
- verbexploit
Example
N'abusez pas de la confiance des autres.
Do not exploit other people's trust.
More examples
Il ne faut pas abuser de la gentillesse des autres.
One must not abuse the kindness of others.
Core concept
A useful thing or a person's trust treated as a tool for exploitation instead of something to respect.
Common phrases
abuser de
abuse ___
abuser de la confiance
abuse someone's trust
abuser de l'alcool
abuse alcohol
Similar words
utiliser: To use an object or method for a particular purpose.
profiter: To take advantage of an opportunity or someone's kindness for personal gain.
exploiter: To use workplace circumstances to serve one's own interests.
Definition in French
Utiliser de manière excessive, injuste ou détournée quelque chose ou quelqu'un.
Word origin
French abuser developed from Latin abutor, meaning 'use wrongly or excessively', through the corresponding Old French form.
Usage tips
- Abuser de can introduce both concrete and abstract nouns, while abuser quelqu'un has a separate direct-object construction meaning to mistreat or deceive someone.