French Conversation · Level 62
76 words
French word
disputer
Pronunciation
IPA/dispyte/
Meaning
- verbargue
Example
Souvent, ils se disputent.
They often argue.
More examples
Ils se disputent souvent pour des détails insignifiants.
They often argue over insignificant details.
Core concept
A disagreement becomes a verbal back-and-forth in which each side contests the other's position or reproaches the other.
Common phrases
se disputer
argue
se disputer avec
argue with ___
se disputer à propos de
argue about ___
Similar words
discuter: To talk through ideas by expressing and exchanging opinions.
se fâcher: To become angry and adopt a harsh manner or tone.
se brouiller: To become estranged from someone after a disagreement.
se chamailler: To bicker about small, unimportant matters.
Definition in French
Contester ou se quereller verbalement avec quelqu'un ; en usage courant, 'se disputer' décrit le fait d'échanger reproches ou oppositions sur un sujet donné.
Word origin
The verb derives from Latin disputare, meaning to discuss or debate, and acquired its more personal quarrelling sense during its development through Old French.
Usage tips
- Disputer quelque chose means to contest it, whereas se disputer describes people quarrelling; the reflexive form is needed for the usual personal sense.
Other meanings
- fightverb
Opposites
- s'entendreget alongverb
- se réconciliermake upverb
Related words
- disputeargumentnoun
- disputédisputedadjective