French Conversation · Level 117
58 words
French word
dénouer
Pronunciation
IPA/denwe/
Meaning
- verbuntie
Example
Peux-tu dénouer ce nœud ?
Can you untie this knot?
More examples
Il a fallu du temps pour dénouer cette situation complexe.
It took time to resolve this complex situation.
Core concept
Twisted strands separate, leaving a path where tension or confusion had blocked it.
Common phrases
dénouer un nœud
untie a knot
dénouer une situation
resolve a situation
Similar words
délier: Free something by undoing its knot or cord.
détacher: Unfasten something that is fixed in place.
défaire: Undo a tie or package and return it to its former state.
se détendre: Grow calmer and more comfortable as stiffness or tension subsides.
Definition in French
Dénouer signifie libérer ce qui est serré ou emmêlé et, au sens figuré, permettre à une situation embrouillée de se défaire ou de s'apaiser.
Word origin
French formed dénouer from dé- and nouer, an Old French verb descended from Latin nodus through the history of French.
Usage tips
- The reflexive form se dénouer describes a situation or tension easing on its own, as in la crise se dénoue.