French word

talonner

Pronunciation

IPA/talone/

Meaning

  • verbtail

Example

La voiture me talonne.

The car is tailing me.

Illustration for talonner (tail)

More examples

Un motard me talonne sur la nationale.

A motorcyclist is tailing me on the highway.

Core concept

A pursuer staying so close behind that the person or vehicle ahead feels constant pressure.

Common phrases

  • talonner de près

    tail closely

  • talonner la voiture de devant

    tail the car ahead

Similar words

suivre: Move behind and follow a person or object.
coller: Stick very close to someone or something.
rattraper: Close the distance and catch up with someone or something.
poursuivre: Chase someone continuously from behind.

Definition in French

Rester à une distance très courte derrière quelqu'un ou quelque chose en mouvement, souvent utilisé pour décrire un véhicule qui suit de près.

Word origin

The verb is formed from talon, heel, and -er, and developed from the idea of pressing close behind someone's heels.

Usage tips

  • The same verb can describe figurative pressure, such as a deadline that talonne someone, while suivre is more neutral.

Other meanings

  • chaseverb
  • houndverb

Opposites

  • distanceroutdistanceverb

Related words

  • talonnagetailingnoun

Word lists with this word