French Conversation · Level 116
60 words
French word
entamer
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃tame/
Meaning
- verbstart
Example
J'ai entamé le projet hier.
I started the project yesterday.
More examples
Elle a entamé la conversation avec un sourire.
She started the conversation with a smile.
Core concept
A first cut opens a path into a project, discussion, or other undertaking.
Common phrases
entamer une conversation
start a conversation
entamer des négociations
start negotiations
entamer la discussion
start the discussion
Similar words
commencer: To start something.
ouvrir: To initiate a conversation, raise a topic, or set an action in motion.
Definition in French
Commencer une action ou un projet en réalisant la première étape; verbe transitif.
Word origin
Entamer is inherited from Old French entamer, whose concrete sense of making an opening or first cut extended to beginning an undertaking.
Usage tips
- As a transitive verb, entamer takes its object directly, as in entamer un projet, without à.