French Conversation · Level 31
89 words
French word
attaquer
Pronunciation
IPA/atake/
Meaning
- verbattack
Example
Le chien attaque le facteur.
The dog attacks the mail carrier.
More examples
Le critique a commencé à attaquer l'artiste pendant l'entretien.
The critic began attacking the artist during the interview.
Core concept
A deliberate advance against something, ranging from a person to a problem that needs active treatment.
Common phrases
s'attaquer à un problème
tackle a problem
attaquer le dessert
start on dessert
Similar words
aborder: To bring a problem or topic into discussion.
affronter: To confront a difficulty or opponent directly.
entamer: To make a start on something.
commencer: To begin an action or event.
Definition in French
Adresser des paroles ou des actes visant à nuire à quelqu'un, ou commencer avec énergie à traiter un problème ou une tâche.
Word origin
The French verb developed from Old French ataquier, borrowed from Italian attaccare, and retained the central notion of starting an attack.
Usage tips
- In attaquer un problème, the problem is a direct object; French does not use the English preposition at in this construction.