French Conversation · Level 152
30 words
French word
enfreindre
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃fʁɛ̃dʁ/
Meaning
- verbbreak
Example
Il ne faut pas enfreindre la loi.
You must not break the law.
More examples
Le juge a estimé qu'il avait enfreint la loi.
The judge determined that he had violated the law.
Core concept
A person forcing past the limits imposed by a law, regulation, or duty.
Common phrases
enfreindre la loi
violate the law
enfreindre un règlement
violate a regulation
enfreindre une règle
violate a rule
Similar words
violer: To break a legal, regulatory, or contractual provision.
commettre: To commit a crime, error, violation, or other offense.
Definition in French
Agir en violation d'une loi, d'un règlement ou d'une obligation.
Word origin
Enfreindre is an inherited French form from Latin infringere, combining in- with frangere, 'to break', and later applying that idea to rules and obligations.
Usage tips
- The present forms include j'enfreins, il enfreint, and ils enfreignent, whose endings are written but largely silent in pronunciation.
Other meanings
- infringeverb
Related words
- infractionviolationnoun
- infracteurviolatornoun