French Conversation · Level 117
58 words
French word
détourner
Pronunciation
IPA/detuʁne/
Meaning
- verbdivert
Example
Il a détourné la conversation.
He diverted the conversation.
More examples
Face à la caméra, elle a détourné le regard.
Facing the camera, she turned her gaze away.
Core concept
One turning motion shifts a route, a topic, or an object from where it was meant to go.
Common phrases
détourner le regard
turn one's gaze away
détourner les yeux
turn one's eyes away
Similar words
distraire: To take someone's mind off something by focusing it elsewhere.
dévier: To divert an ongoing course or discussion in another direction.
orienter: To guide attention or behavior toward a particular purpose.
voler: To steal property or money from its owner.
Definition in French
Amener quelqu'un ou quelque chose à s'éloigner d'un point d'attention ou d'un usage prévu.
Word origin
Détourner developed from dé- and tourner, whose Latin source referred to turning, so the verb came to express turning something aside and then diverting its purpose.
Usage tips
- Détourner quelque chose de son usage prévu takes de before the intended use, as in détourner un outil de sa fonction première.