French Conversation · Level 129
42 words
French word
emparer
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃paʁe/
Meaning
- verbseize
Example
Le voleur s'est emparé du sac.
The thief seized the bag.
More examples
Pendant la réunion, elle s'est emparée de la parole.
During the meeting, she seized the floor.
Core concept
Someone swiftly takes hold of a thing, place, or speaking turn and makes it their own.
Common phrases
s'emparer de
seize
s'emparer du pouvoir
seize power
s'emparer de la parole
seize the floor
Similar words
prendre: Take an object into one's possession or move it elsewhere.
voler: Take another person's property unlawfully.
saisir: Grasp something firmly by hand and hold it securely.
s'accaparer: Claim something exclusively for oneself, shutting others out.
Definition in French
Saisir et occuper quelque chose ou quelqu'un, en prenant le pouvoir ou la propriété, souvent de manière rapide ou violente ; forme courante : s'emparer de.
Word origin
French emparer is inherited through Old French from Latin imparare, whose sense was to prepare or procure; French usage came to include taking possession.
Usage tips
- In s'emparer de la parole, the phrase means taking control of the conversation rather than physically taking words.