French Conversation · Level 148
30 words
French word
terrer
Pronunciation
IPA/tɛʁe/
Meaning
- verbhide away
Example
Après l'accident, il s'est terré dans sa chambre.
After the accident, he hid away in his room.
More examples
Le chat s'est terré sous la voiture.
The cat hid under the car.
Core concept
A person tucked into a sheltered hollow, unseen from the open space, whether the hollow is physical or social.
Common phrases
se terrer sous la couette
hide under the covers
se terrer au fond d'un placard
hide at the back of a cupboard
Similar words
se cacher: To hide behind an object or in a place so as not to be seen.
se planquer: To hide secretly to avoid danger or unwanted attention.
se dissimuler: To conceal one's presence by using one's position or shape.
Definition in French
Se cacher physiquement en se mettant à l'abri ou, au sens figuré, se retirer et rester à l'écart des autres.
Word origin
French terrer is formed from terre, meaning earth or ground, with the verb-forming suffix -er; se terrer developed the sense of hiding in a shelter and then withdrawing from others.
Usage tips
- The hiding sense normally uses the reflexive form se terrer, often followed by dans, as in se terrer dans sa chambre.