French Conversation · Level 168
15 words
French word
saccager
Pronunciation
IPA/sakaʒe/
Meaning
- verbvandalize
Example
Après le match, certains fans saccagent le stade.
After the match, some fans vandalize the stadium.
More examples
Pendant la manifestation, des manifestants ont saccagé le centre-ville.
During the protest, protesters ransacked downtown.
Core concept
A stadium, building, or collection of goods left wrecked after forceful destruction and possible looting.
Common phrases
saccager un magasin
ransack a store
saccager la ville
ransack the city
saccager un quartier
ransack a neighborhood
Similar words
vandaliser: To deface or damage public buildings or facilities, often with graffiti.
abîmer: To harm something in a way that makes its condition worse.
casser: To break an object into pieces or cause it to snap.
détruire: To ruin something entirely so it no longer retains its form or function.
Definition in French
Rendre un lieu ou des biens en mauvais état par des destructions et parfois par des vols.
Word origin
French saccager comes from Italian saccheggiare, a verb associated with sacco, meaning 'sack', whose original plundering sense expanded to include severe damage.
Usage tips
- Saccager is a strong word often used for riots, war, or serious vandalism; mettre en désordre suits ordinary untidiness.