French word

rapprocher

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁapʁoʃe/

Meaning

  • verbbring closer

Example

Je rapproche la chaise de la table.

I bring the chair closer to the table.

Illustration for rapprocher (bring closer)

More examples

Je dois rapprocher les dates du rendez-vous.

I have to bring the appointment dates closer together.

Core concept

Moving one thing, person, or idea closer to another until the gap between them narrows.

Common phrases

  • rapprocher quelqu'un de quelqu'un

    bring someone closer to someone

  • rapprocher quelque chose de quelque chose

    bring something closer to something

  • rapprocher les dates

    bring the dates closer together

Similar words

approcher: To bring a person or object close to a given point.
s'approcher: To approach or move nearer to something.

Definition in French

Mettre quelque chose ou quelqu'un plus près d'une autre chose ou personne, au sens physique ou figuré.

Word origin

French rapprocher combines re- with approcher, from Latin appropinquare, built on propinquus meaning near.

Usage tips

  • The transitive pattern is rapprocher X de Y, while se rapprocher de Y means that X itself moves or becomes closer to Y.

Other meanings

  • draw nearverb
  • compareverb
  • reconcileverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word