French Conversation · Level 77
60 words
French word
capituler
Pronunciation
IPA/kapityle/
Meaning
- verbsurrender
Example
Finalement, il capitule.
Finally, he surrenders.
More examples
Il a refusé de capituler devant ses adversaires.
He refused to capitulate to his opponents.
Core concept
A fortified side lowers its defenses and lets the other side impose its terms.
Common phrases
capituler devant quelqu'un
capitulate to ___
capituler sous la pression
capitulate under pressure
Similar words
céder: To yield a position or right under pressure or changing circumstances.
se rendre: To stop fighting or disputing and surrender to the opposing side.
se résigner: To accept an unwelcome situation and abandon further resistance.
renoncer: To give up a desired goal or abandon a planned course of action.
Definition in French
Cesser de résister et accepter les conditions de l'autre, généralement après une pression, une défaite ou une négociation.
Word origin
French capituler comes from Latin capitulare, formed from capitulum, meaning a chapter or clause, through the idea of agreeing to stated terms.
Usage tips
- For a physical surrender, French commonly uses se rendre, while capituler is more formal and often describes yielding in negotiations or figurative conflicts.