French Conversation · Level 47
73 words
French word
empêcher
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃peʃe/
Meaning
- verbprevent
Example
Le bruit m'empêche de dormir.
The noise prevents me from sleeping.
More examples
La pluie a empêché les joueurs de terminer le match.
The rain prevented the players from finishing the match.
Core concept
A hand or obstacle holds an event back before it can happen.
Common phrases
empêcher quelqu'un de
prevent someone from ___ing
empêcher l'accès
prevent access
Similar words
interdire: Formally prohibit an action under a rule or by an authority.
éviter: Keep a danger or undesirable outcome from occurring through personal action.
gêner: Hinder an action by making it inconvenient or uncomfortable.
bloquer: Block physical movement or halt progress in a process.
Definition in French
Rend impossible la réalisation d'une action en posant un obstacle ou une entrave, stoppant ainsi un événement ou un comportement.
Word origin
The French verb descends from Latin impedire through Old French, with Latin pes, pedis meaning 'foot' behind its original image of blocked movement.
Usage tips
- After empêcher que, French normally uses the subjunctive, as in empêcher qu'il dorme.
Other meanings
- stopverb
- hinderverb
Opposites
- permettreallowverb
Related words
- empêchementhindrancenoun
- empêchépreventedadjective