French Conversation · Level 20
90 words
French word
chercher
Pronunciation
IPA/ʃɛʁʃe/
Meaning
- verblook for
Example
Je cherche mes clés.
I am looking for my keys.
More examples
Elle cherche quelque chose dans son sac.
She is looking for something in her bag.
Core concept
A searcher following possible paths toward a desired object, person, or result.
Common phrases
chercher quelque chose
look for something
chercher quelqu'un
look for someone
Similar words
trouver: Finding the person or thing being sought.
essayer: Trying something in practice to see how it works.
rechercher: Carefully seeking information or clues.
fouiller: Examining pockets or luggage by removing and checking their contents.
Definition in French
Faire des efforts pour trouver quelque chose ou quelqu'un.
Word origin
Old French cerchier developed from Latin circare, "to go around," and French chercher retains the idea of moving around to find something.
Usage tips
- Aller chercher an object means to go and get or fetch it, while aller chercher someone commonly means to go and pick that person up.
Other meanings
- fetchverb
- pick upverb
- seekverb
- tryverb
Opposites
- trouverfindverb
Related words
- recherchersearch againverb
- rechercheresearchnoun
- chercheurresearchernoun