French Conversation · Level 123
59 words
French word
enquêter
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃kete/
Meaning
- verbinvestigate
Example
La police enquête sur l'accident.
The police are investigating the accident.
More examples
Le journaliste enquête auprès des voisins.
The journalist is interviewing the neighbors.
Core concept
Investigators gather clues and statements piece by piece until the course of an event becomes clear.
Common phrases
enquêter auprès de
interview ___
enquêter sur
investigate ___
Similar words
chercher: Search for a thing or piece of information.
vérifier: Check whether facts or information are correct.
interroger: Ask someone questions and listen to their answers.
rechercher: Collect sources and information for detailed research.
Definition in French
Procéder à une recherche méthodique d'éléments et de témoignages afin d'établir ce qui s'est passé.
Word origin
Enquêter developed from the noun enquête, inherited through Old French enqueste from Latin inquirere.
Usage tips
- Enquêter is more formal than everyday chercher or vérifier and commonly appears in news, police, and administrative contexts.