French word

avertir

Pronunciation

IPA/avɛʁtiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbwarn

Example

J'avertis les enfants de ne pas toucher au feu.

I warn the children not to touch the fire.

Illustration for avertir (warn)

More examples

Le responsable a averti les employés d'un risque chimique.

The person in charge warned the employees about a chemical risk.

Core concept

One person turns another person's attention toward a hazard before harm occurs.

Common phrases

  • avertir quelqu'un de quelque chose

    warn someone about something

  • avertir d'un danger

    warn of a danger

  • avertir par téléphone

    notify by phone

Similar words

prévenir: Give advance notice so preparation or action is possible.
mettre en garde: Strongly warn against danger or harmful effects.
alerter: Alert to an urgent danger or abnormal situation for rapid action.
informer: Provide facts or information to make something known.

Definition in French

Informer quelqu'un qu'une situation présente un danger ou un risque afin qu'il prenne garde.

Word origin

French avertir continues Old French avertir from Latin advertere, whose elements mean "toward" and "turn"; the word came to describe drawing attention to a problem or danger.

Usage tips

  • Avertir is often warning-focused, while prévenir can also mean informing someone in advance or preventing an event.

Other meanings

  • informverb
  • notifyverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word