French Conversation · Level 61
71 words
French word
gêner
Pronunciation
IPA/ʒene/
Meaning
- verbbother
Example
Je ne veux pas te gêner avec mes questions.
I don't want to bother you with my questions.
More examples
Ça me gêne quand il téléphone pendant le film.
That bothers me when he phones during the movie.
Core concept
Something presses on a person's path or conversation until progress becomes difficult or the situation feels awkward.
Common phrases
ça me gêne
That bothers me
ça ne te gêne pas
That doesn't bother you
gêner quelqu'un
bother someone
Similar words
déranger: To interrupt someone's work or rest and cause inconvenience.
importuner: To persistently interfere with someone and cause annoyance or discomfort.
embarrasser: To make the atmosphere awkward and leave someone feeling embarrassed.
empêcher: To prevent an action or event from proceeding or occurring.
Definition in French
Causer une gêne ou une difficulté à quelqu'un, empêcher le déroulement normal d'une action ou rendre une situation embarrassante.
Word origin
Modern gêner comes through Old French gehener and preserves the older idea of restricting someone while also covering inconvenience and embarrassment.
Usage tips
- In ne pas vouloir gêner quelqu'un, gêner often means to impose on or inconvenience someone, not only to block physical movement.