French word

emballer

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃bale/

Meaning

  • verbwrap

Example

Je vais emballer le cadeau.

I'm going to wrap the gift.

Illustration for emballer (wrap)

More examples

Les volontaires vont emballer les colis pour l'envoi.

The volunteers are going to pack the parcels for shipment.

Core concept

Hands covering an item completely so that its contents stay protected inside a neat package.

Common phrases

  • emballer un cadeau

    wrap a gift

  • emballer un colis

    pack a parcel

  • emballer soigneusement

    wrap carefully

Similar words

envelopper: To wrap an item completely in paper or fabric.
empaqueter: To put items together in a box or bag.
filmer: To wrap an item in clear film to prevent dirt or shifting.

Definition in French

Mettre quelque chose dans un paquet ou le recouvrir de papier, de tissu ou de plastique pour le protéger ou le fermer.

Word origin

The verb emballer combines the prefix en- with balle, a word for a bundle or bale, and originally described enclosing something in such a bundle.

Usage tips

  • For personal luggage, French usually uses faire sa valise or faire ses bagages rather than emballer, which focuses on wrapping or packaging an object.

Other meanings

  • packverb
  • captivateverb

Opposites

  • déballerunwrapverb

Related words

  • emballagepackagingnoun
  • emballépackagedadjective
  • emballeurpackernoun

Word lists with this word