French Conversation · Level 142
30 words
French word
ruser
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁyze/
Meaning
- verbuse guile
Example
Il ruse pour obtenir une place.
He uses guile to get a seat.
More examples
Pour s'en sortir, il faudra parfois ruser.
To get out of it, sometimes you have to use cunning.
Core concept
A small, flexible stratagem that opens a way out when direct action fails.
Common phrases
ruser de
use ___ craftily
ruser pour
use cunning to ___
ruser en
use cunning while ___
Similar words
mentir: Mislead someone by stating something that is not true.
tromper: Make someone believe something false through words or actions.
manipuler: Cleverly steer someone's feelings or judgment toward a desired outcome.
tricher: Gain an unfair advantage by breaking rules or regulations.
Definition in French
Se servir d'astuce ou de manœuvres pour obtenir un avantage ou se tirer d'une situation difficile.
Word origin
Ruser derives from the French noun ruse, which names a stratagem or clever maneuver, with the standard -er verb ending.
Usage tips
- Ruser commonly takes pour plus an infinitive, as in ruser pour obtenir une place, rather than a direct English-style infinitive construction.
Other meanings
- deceiveverb
Related words
- ruserietrickerynoun
- rusécunningadjective