French Conversation · Level 122
60 words
French word
pénétrer
Pronunciation
IPA/penetʁe/
Meaning
- verbenter
Example
Le voleur a pénétré dans la maison.
The thief entered the house.
More examples
La fumée a pénétré dans le magasin.
The smoke entered the store.
Core concept
Something passes through a threshold and reaches what lies beyond.
Common phrases
pénétrer dans le magasin
enter the store
pénétrer dans la foule
enter the crowd
Similar words
entrer: Go inside a building or room.
s'introduire: Enter secretly without being noticed.
s'infiltrer: Work gradually into a place through small gaps or unseen routes.
se faufiler: Slip inside by moving skillfully between people or objects.
Definition in French
Entrer dans un lieu en franchissant une ouverture ou un obstacle, au sens propre ou figuré.
Word origin
The French verb pénétrer developed from Latin penetrare through Old French and retained its basic inward-entry sense.
Usage tips
- Pénétrer often sounds more formal or forceful than entrer, especially when describing unauthorized entry.
Other meanings
- penetrateverb
Opposites
- quitterleaveverb
Related words
- pénétrationpenetrationnoun
- pénétrablepenetrableadjective