French Conversation · Level 171
15 words
French word
succomber
Pronunciation
IPA/sykɔ̃be/
Meaning
- verbgive in
Example
Il succombe parfois à la tentation.
He sometimes gives in to temptation.
More examples
Après une longue journée, il succombe à la fatigue.
After a long day, he succumbs to fatigue.
Core concept
A person under pressure goes down when resistance finally fails.
Common phrases
succomber à la tentation
succumb to temptation
succomber à la fatigue
succumb to fatigue
Similar words
mourir: Cease to live when vital bodily functions stop.
céder: Yield to demands or force from another person.
se laisser aller: Follow desires or moods without self-control.
renoncer: Give up a hoped-for goal or intended course of action.
Definition in French
Être vaincu par quelque chose (tentation, force, maladie), cesser de résister; s'emploie aussi pour signifier mourir à cause d'une maladie ou d'une blessure.
Word origin
French succomber comes from Latin succumbere, built from sub- 'under' and cumbere 'lie down', expressing the idea of falling under something.
Usage tips
- The usual construction is succomber à plus a noun, as in succomber à la tentation; à marks what overcomes the subject.