French Conversation · Level 112
59 words
French word
mendier
Pronunciation
IPA/mɑ̃dje/
Meaning
- verbbeg
Example
Il mendie dans la rue.
He begs in the street.
More examples
Ils mendient parfois de la nourriture près de la gare.
They sometimes beg for food near the station.
Core concept
A persistent plea that tries to move another person to give or help.
Common phrases
mendier dans la rue
beg in the street
mendier la nourriture
beg for food
Similar words
demander: To request something from someone or ask them to do something.
prier: To politely request something or ask someone to do something.
Definition in French
Supplier de l'argent ou de l'aide en implorant la charité, généralement de façon insistante.
Word origin
The French verb derives from Old French mendier and ultimately from Latin mendicare, which is associated with Latin mendicus, 'beggar'.
Usage tips
- In figurative use, mendier can sound harsh because it compares an insistent request with begging; solliciter or demander is often more neutral.