Tentation (en. Temptation)

/tɑ̃.ta.sjɔ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
noun
The act of tempting or seducing someone.
The temptation to taste this cake was too strong.
La tentation de goûter ce gâteau était trop forte.
To experience an intense desire for something, even yielding to it.
He resisted the temptation to buy new clothes.
Il a résisté à la tentation d'acheter des vêtements neufs.
An emotion or situation that provokes a difficult choice, between what is desirable and what is morally acceptable.
Temptation is omnipresent in our daily lives.
La tentation est omniprésente dans notre vie quotidienne.

Etymology

Comes from the Latin 'temptationem', which means 'the act of tempting'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to give in to temptation
To agree to do what one knows is wrong.
céder à la tentation
to resist temptation
To refuse to give in to a desire or incitement.
résister à la tentation
to be prey to temptation
To feel strongly drawn towards something desirable, but potentially dangerous.
être en proie à la tentation

Related Words

to tempt
To try to convince someone to do something.
tenter
desire
A feeling of envy or attraction towards something.
désir
delicious
That provides pleasure through taste.
délicieux

Slang Meanings

It's too good!
I know it's wrong, but this ice cream is temptation!
Je sais que c'est mal, mais cette glace, c'est la tentation!
To be weak
When I see chocolate, temptation makes me weak.
Quand je vois du chocolat, la tentation me rend faible.