French Conversation · Level 183
15 words
French word
dédommager
Pronunciation
IPA/dedomaʒe/
Meaning
- verbcompensate
Example
La compagnie a dédommagé les clients pour le retard.
The company compensated the customers for the delay.
More examples
Après la tempête, la mairie a dédommagé les habitants.
After the storm, city hall compensated the residents.
Core concept
A scale tipped by harm is brought back toward balance with payment or practical compensation.
Common phrases
se faire dédommager
get compensated
dédommager quelqu'un
compensate someone
Similar words
rembourser: Return money that was previously paid.
compenser: Offset a shortage or loss with something else.
Definition in French
Donner une compensation, souvent en argent ou en service, à quelqu'un pour un dommage, une perte ou un désagrément subi.
Word origin
The verb dédommager combines the prefix dé- with dommage, which comes from Old French and ultimately from Latin damnum, meaning loss or harm.
Usage tips
- The recipient is the direct object, while the reason commonly follows pour, as in dédommager les clients pour le retard.
Other meanings
- indemnifyverb
Opposites
- léserharmverb
- désavantagerdisadvantage someoneverb
Related words
- dédommagementcompensationnoun
- dédommagécompensatedadjective