French Conversation · Level 96
60 words
French word
assiéger
Pronunciation
IPA/asjeʒe/
Meaning
- verbbesiege
Example
L'armée a assiégé la ville pendant trois jours.
The army besieged the city for three days.
More examples
Les journalistes ont assiégé la chanteuse à la sortie du studio.
The journalists besieged the singer as she left the studio.
Core concept
Forces close in around a target until movement, contact, and relief from outside become difficult.
Common phrases
assiéger quelqu'un de questions
bombard someone with questions
assiéger une gare
besiege a station
assiéger une ville
besiege a city
Similar words
encercler: To encircle people or objects completely and stop movement into or out of the area.
bloquer: To obstruct a route or entrance and prevent people or vehicles from passing.
isoler: To separate someone or something from others, making outside contact or aid difficult.
attaquer: To strike at an opponent with force or weapons.
Definition in French
Indique l'action d'entourer et d'isoler un lieu, une personne ou un groupe, soit militairement soit par pressions répétées.
Word origin
The Old French form assieger led to modern assiéger and is linked to Latin assidere, 'to sit beside', which supplied the original surrounding image.
Usage tips
- Encercler emphasizes being surrounded, while assiéger usually adds sustained pressure, blockade, or attack.