French word

enchaîner

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃ʃene/

Meaning

  • verbdo back-to-back

Example

Nous enchaînons les réunions toute la journée.

We hold meetings back-to-back all day.

Illustration for enchaîner (do back-to-back)

More examples

Je dois enchaîner les tâches sans pause aujourd'hui.

I have to do the tasks one after another without a break today.

Core concept

One link joining directly to the next, forming an unbroken run.

Common phrases

  • enchaîner les tâches

    do the tasks one after another

  • enchaîner les chansons

    play the songs back to back

  • enchaîner plusieurs rendez-vous

    go through several appointments back to back

Similar words

continuer: Keep an action or state going without stopping.
suivre: Come after something else in time or sequence.

Definition in French

Effectuer successivement plusieurs actions sans pause, ou attacher symboliquement des éléments pour former une suite.

Word origin

The verb comes from en- and chaîne, which derives from Latin catena, and its figurative sense grew from linking things in a chain to linking actions in sequence.

Usage tips

  • Enchaîner avec introduces the next activity or subject, as in enchaîner avec une présentation, meaning to continue with it.

Other meanings

  • link togetherverb

Opposites

Related words

  • enchaînementsequencenoun

Word lists with this word