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- L'empêcher - meaning & definition
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Translate Files L'empêcher (en. To prevent it)
/lɑ̃.pe.ʃe/
Meaning & Definition
EnglishFrench
verb
To stop someone from doing something.
He had to prevent her from going out because of the storm.
Il a dû l'empêcher de sortir à cause de la tempête.
To make the occurrence of an event impossible.
The accident prevented the show from starting on time.
L'accident a empêché le spectacle de commencer à l'heure.
To intervene to stop an action.
She tried to prevent him from making a mistake.
Elle a essayé de l'empêcher de commettre une erreur.
Etymology
From the Latin 'impedicare', meaning 'to hinder'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
to prevent him from sleeping
To ensure that someone cannot sleep.
l'empêcher de dormir
it is necessary to prevent him
It is necessary to intervene to avoid something.
il faut l'empêcher
it prevents me from working
It creates a difficulty or obstacle to working.
cela m'empêche de travailler
Related Words
hindrance
Obstruction or obstacle to the achievement of something.
empêchement
to prevent
To take actions to avoid an event.
prévenir
prohibition
The act of prohibiting something.
interdiction
Slang Meanings
To prevent someone from doing something informally.
I will put a stop to him to prevent him from doing stupid things.
Je vais lui mettre le holà pour l'empêcher de faire des bêtises.
To use one's presence to dissuade.
If I’m around, it prevents him from acting like a fool.
Si je suis là, ça l'empêche d'agir comme un fou.