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    S'empêcher (en. To prevent oneself)

    /sɑ̃peʃe/

    Meaning & Definition

    EnglishFrench
    verb
    To prohibit oneself from doing something.
    She refrains from crying in public.
    Elle s'empêche de pleurer en public.
    To ensure not to accomplish an action.
    He refrained from going out in this weather.
    Il s'est empêché de sortir par ce temps.
    To feel an inner constraint that limits one's behavior.
    I refrain from eating too many sweets.
    Je m'empêche de manger trop de sucreries.

    Etymology

    From the verb 'empêcher' with the reflexive pronoun 'se'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    to refrain from laughing
    Not laughing despite a comedic situation.
    s'empêcher de rire
    to refrain from speaking
    Remaining silent when having something to say.
    s'empêcher de parler
    to refrain from functioning
    Not being able to act or operate.
    s'empêcher de fonctionner

    Related Words

    to prevent
    To obstruct something.
    empêcher
    to hold back
    To stop something in progress.
    retenir
    to forbid
    To prohibit something.
    interdire

    Slang Meanings

    To block oneself
    He really blocked himself on this project.
    Il s'est vraiment bloqué sur ce projet.
    To hold oneself back
    Don't hold yourself back, do what you love.
    Ne te freine pas, fais ce que tu aimes.