French Conversation · Level 29
89 words
French word
intéresser
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃teʁese/
Meaning
- verbinterest
Example
Ce livre intéresse beaucoup d'enfants.
This book interests many children.
More examples
Il s'intéresse beaucoup à la musique.
He is very interested in music.
Core concept
A subject pulls someone's attention toward it, making it worth noticing and relevant to that person's concerns.
Common phrases
s'intéresser à
be interested in
intéresser quelqu'un
interest someone
Similar words
attirer: To attract someone's attention or interest.
plaire: To suit someone's taste and bring pleasure or satisfaction.
fasciner: To engage someone's intense interest and absorb their attention.
captiver: To grip someone's attention and prevent it from wandering.
Definition in French
Susciter la curiosité ou l'intérêt chez quelqu'un ; concerner quelqu'un ou quelque chose.
Word origin
French intéresser was formed from intérêt with the verbal ending -er, while intérêt ultimately comes from Latin interesse, meaning to be of concern.
Usage tips
- Intéresser is transitive: "Ce livre m'intéresse" makes the book the subject, whereas "Je m'intéresse à ce livre" uses the reflexive form with à.
Other meanings
- concernverb
Opposites
- ennuyerboreverb
- désintéresserdisinterestverb
Related words
- intéressantinterestingadjective
- intérêtinterestnoun
- intéresséinterestedadjective