French Conversation · Level 123
59 words
French word
griffer
Pronunciation
IPA/gʁife/
Meaning
- verbscratch
Example
Attention, le chien peut griffer si tu t'approches.
Watch out, the dog may scratch if you come close.
More examples
Ne touche pas le chat, il risque de griffer.
Don't touch the cat; it might scratch.
Core concept
A quick rake from a sharp point that scores skin or material without cutting deeply.
Common phrases
se griffer
scratch yourself
griffer quelqu'un
scratch someone
griffer le canapé
scratch the couch
Similar words
gratter: To rub the skin with a hand or fingernails because of an itch.
égratigner: To leave shallow scrapes or scratches on the surface of skin or an object.
rayer: To mark an object's surface with linear scratches or streaks.
Definition in French
Faire une marque superficielle ou une petite blessure en raclant la peau ou une surface avec un ongle, une griffe ou un objet pointu; s'emploie aussi pronominalement.
Word origin
French griffer derives from griffe, meaning claw, by adding the regular verb ending -er; griffe entered French through Old French from a Germanic source.
Usage tips
- In the pronominal use, se griffer means to scratch oneself, so the reflexive pronoun changes with the subject.
Opposites
- caresserpetverb
Related words
- griffurescratch marknoun
- grifféscratchedadjective