French Conversation · Level 52
75 words
French word
reculer
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁəkyle/
Meaning
- verbreverse
Example
La voiture a reculé pour éviter l'obstacle.
The car reversed to avoid the obstacle.
More examples
Le piéton a reculé d'un pas en voyant la voiture.
When the pedestrian saw the car, he moved back one step.
Core concept
Someone or something withdraws from a position, either by moving backward or by yielding ground in a contest.
Common phrases
reculer d'un pas
move back one step
reculer devant
withdraw before ___
reculer de quelques mètres
fall back a few meters
Similar words
s'éloigner: Move away from a person, place, or object.
faire marche arrière: Move a vehicle backward.
céder: Give in and withdraw a demand or claim.
hésiter: Hesitate before taking action.
Definition in French
Se retirer en arrière, céder du terrain ou battre en retraite, que ce soit physiquement ou stratégiquement.
Word origin
French reculer developed in Old French from re- combined with cul, the word for the rear or backside, from Latin culus.
Usage tips
- Reculer devant quelque chose means to shrink from or back away from it, so devant often introduces the obstacle or challenge being avoided.