N'oserais (en. Wouldn't dare)

/n‿o.ze.ʁɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Express a hesitation or lack of courage to do something.

I would never dare to ask for such a favor.

Je n'oserais jamais demander un tel service.

Refer to an action one is reluctant to undertake.

When it comes to talking to him, I wouldn't dare.

Quand il s'agit de lui parler, je n'oserais pas.

Indicate a limitation of one's own actions due to fear.

Would I not dare to bother you with my questions?

N'oserais-je pas vous déranger avec mes questions ?

Comes from the Latin verb 'audere' which means 'to dare'.

I wouldn't dare to say

Indicate a hesitation in asserting something.

n'oserais pas dire

I wouldn't dare

Express that one does not have the courage to do something.

je n'oserais pas

Would I dare

Question the possibility or courage to take an action.

oserais-je

fear

Feeling of anxiety in the face of danger.

peur

dare

To have the courage to accomplish something.

oser

audacity

Courage to take risks.

audace

Not having the courage to do something.

Frankly, I wouldn't dare to tell him that.

Franchement, je n'oserais pas lui dire ça.

Being too shy to act.

He is so shy that he wouldn't even dare to ask for directions.

Il est si timide qu'il n'oserait même pas demander son chemin.