French Conversation · Level 40
75 words
French word
approcher
Pronunciation
IPA/apʁoʃe/
Meaning
- verbmove closer
Example
Tu peux approcher la chaise de la table ?
Can you move the chair closer to the table?
More examples
Il a approché la lampe près du lit.
He moved the lamp closer to the bed.
Core concept
Bringing something nearer to a chosen place, target, time, or condition.
Common phrases
approcher la chaise de la table
move the chair closer to the table
approcher le micro du chanteur
move the singer's microphone closer to the singer
Similar words
s'approcher: To go toward someone or a particular location.
rapprocher: To reduce the distance between two people or things.
avancer: To advance by moving toward the front.
déplacer: To transfer something to a different location.
Definition in French
Amener quelque chose ou quelqu'un, au sens physique ou figuré, à une position plus proche.
Word origin
The French verb developed from Old French aprochier and ultimately from Latin appropiare, a verb related to prope, meaning 'near'.
Usage tips
- Approcher de can introduce a number or time that is being reached approximately, as in approaching a total or a scheduled hour.