French Conversation · Level 158
30 words
French word
enlèvement
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃lɛvəmɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounkidnapping
Example
Les parents craignent l'enlèvement de leur fille.
The parents fear their daughter's kidnapping.
More examples
Des témoins ont signalé une possible tentative d'enlèvement près du parc.
Witnesses reported a possible attempted kidnapping near the park.
Core concept
A person vanishes after being seized by force or deception, while the act focuses on the removal rather than the place where the person is held.
Common phrases
tentative d'enlèvement
attempted kidnapping
risque d'enlèvement
risk of kidnapping
enlèvement d'enfant
child kidnapping
Similar words
kidnapping: A crime involving the unlawful seizure of someone for ransom or other demands.
prise d'otage: The holding of someone hostage to secure negotiations or fulfill demands.
Definition in French
Action d'enlever une personne contre sa volonté, généralement par la force ou par la ruse.
Word origin
The noun enlèvement comes from enlever plus -ment, and enlever is an inherited French form related through Old French to Latin levare, 'raise' or 'lift'.
Usage tips
- The verb phrase se faire enlever means 'to be kidnapped', while l'enlèvement de quelqu'un names the act itself with de.