French Conversation · Level 93
60 words
French word
infliger
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃fliʒe/
Meaning
- verbinflict
Example
Cette erreur lui a infligé beaucoup de problèmes.
This mistake inflicted a lot of problems on him.
More examples
La guerre a infligé des souffrances aux civils.
The war inflicted suffering on civilians.
Core concept
A painful burden, loss, or penalty landing on a person from outside.
Common phrases
infliger des souffrances
inflict suffering
infliger une blessure
inflict an injury
infliger des dégâts
inflict damage
Similar words
punir: To penalize someone for a crime or violation.
imposer: To place a duty, condition, or burden on someone.
causer: To produce a problem or loss through an event or action.
faire subir: To cause someone to suffer pain or disadvantage.
Definition in French
Faire subir à quelqu'un quelque chose de pénible, dommageable ou répressif.
Word origin
French infliger comes through Old French from Latin infligere, built from in- 'against' and fligere 'strike', and is cognate with English inflict.
Usage tips
- The usual pattern is infliger quelque chose à quelqu'un, with the imposed thing before à and the affected person after it.