French Conversation · Level 30
89 words
French word
inquiéter
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃kjete/
Meaning
- verbworry
Example
Ton absence m'inquiète.
Your absence worries me.
More examples
La situation économique inquiète beaucoup de gens.
The economic situation worries many people.
Core concept
A disturbance reaches the mind and prevents a person from feeling at ease.
Common phrases
inquiéter quelqu'un
worry someone
inquiéter les proches
worry loved ones
inquiéter la population
worry the public
Similar words
s'inquiéter: To worry about personal matters or circumstances.
troubler: To disturb someone's peace of mind and leave them unsettled.
affoler: To make someone panic and lose their composure.
Definition in French
Provoquer chez quelqu'un un sentiment d'inquiétude, de préoccupation ou d'alarme à cause d'une information, d'un événement ou d'une situation.
Word origin
The verb developed from Latin inquietare through Old French, with the sense of disturbing a person's quiet or peace.
Usage tips
- The reflexive form s'inquiéter de expresses personal worry, as in Je m'inquiète de son absence, while inquiéter names its cause.
Other meanings
- troubleverb
Opposites
- apaisercalmverb
- réconfortercomfortverb
Related words
- inquiétudeworrynoun
- inquiétantworryingadjective