French Conversation · Level 158
30 words
French word
piétiner
Pronunciation
IPA/pjetine/
Meaning
- verbtrample
Example
Ne piétine pas la pelouse.
Don't trample the lawn.
More examples
On ne doit pas piétiner les droits des autres.
We must not trample on other people's rights.
Core concept
Feet repeatedly press the same patch of ground, either without moving forward or hard enough to crush what lies there.
Common phrases
piétiner les droits
trample on rights
piétiner quelqu'un
trample on someone
Similar words
fouler: To tread on the ground or grass and damage it.
marcher sur: To walk across or step onto something.
frapper du pied: To strike the ground with the foot to show anger or emphasis.
Definition in French
Marcher sur place en frappant le sol avec les pieds ou rester immobile sans progresser; peut aussi s'employer pour écraser quelque chose sous le pied.
Word origin
The verb piétiner is formed from French pied, "foot," with the suffix -iner, and repeated foot pressure underlies both its literal and figurative uses.
Usage tips
- With a direct object, piétiner can mean trample something, while piétiner sur place means remain in place; a project or negotiation can also piétiner figuratively.