French Conversation · Level 58
75 words
French word
tentation
Pronunciation
IPA/tɑ̃tasjɔ̃/
Meaning
- feminine nountemptation
Example
Ne cède pas à la tentation de dépenser tout ton argent.
Don't give in to the temptation to spend all your money.
More examples
Il a succombé à la tentation et a mangé le gâteau.
He succumbed to temptation and ate the cake.
Core concept
A tempting pleasure pulling a person toward an action that may later bring regret.
Common phrases
céder à la tentation
give in to temptation
résister à la tentation
resist temptation
succomber à la tentation
succumb to temptation
Similar words
envie: A feeling of wanting to do something or have something.
désir: A strong feeling of wanting something or someone.
appétit: A physical or emotional desire to eat.
Definition in French
Une impulsion intérieure à céder à un plaisir ou à une action que l'on sait inappropriée ou regrettable.
Word origin
French tentation comes from Latin tentatio, from tentare, "to try" or "test," and developed through Old French.
Usage tips
- Tentation is feminine, so standard forms include la tentation and cette tentation; common phrases use céder à or résister à la tentation.