French Conversation · Level 145
30 words
French word
fendre
Pronunciation
IPA/fɑ̃dʁ/
Meaning
- verbsplit
Example
Il a fendu le bois.
He split the wood.
More examples
La glace s'est fendue sous le poids.
The ice cracked under the weight.
Core concept
A solid material opening along a long, visible split.
Common phrases
fendre le bois
split the wood
fendre en deux
split in two
Similar words
casser: To break something forcefully, leaving it misshapen.
couper: To divide something into two or more pieces by cutting it.
briser: To smash something into fragments through intense force.
se fendre: To split apart naturally as a crack develops.
Definition in French
Fendre signifie créer une fissure ou diviser une chose en deux ; il peut être employé de manière transitive (fendre le bois) ou intransitive/pronominale (le bois se fend).
Word origin
Fendre comes from Latin findere through Old French, retaining the idea of splitting or cleaving a material.
Usage tips
- The transitive form takes a direct object, while se fendre describes the material itself splitting: Le bois se fend.