French Conversation · Level 121
59 words
French word
décoller
Pronunciation
IPA/dekole/
Meaning
- verbtake off
Example
L'avion décollera dans vingt minutes.
The plane will take off in twenty minutes.
More examples
Le drone a du mal à décoller à cause du vent.
The drone is having trouble taking off because of the wind.
Core concept
A movement starts by breaking contact, then quickly gains height, speed, or success.
Common phrases
l'avion décolle
the airplane takes off
décoller de la piste
take off from the runway
faire décoller
make ___ take off
Similar words
s'envoler: Ascend into the air.
partir: Depart from a place and set off.
prendre son envol: Start developing rapidly with growing momentum.
démarrer: Start functioning or being put into action.
Definition in French
S'élever du sol au sens propre (pour un aéronef) et, au sens figuré, commencer à produire des résultats ou à réussir rapidement.
Word origin
French created décoller by adding dé-, expressing removal or separation, to coller, 'to stick', which accounts for both physical detachment and figurative takeoff.
Usage tips
- The figurative construction le projet décolle means that a project begins to succeed rapidly, whereas ordinary buses and trains normally use partir.