verbverb

doubler

overtake · double

Faire passer quelque chose ou quelqu’un devant un autre, ou produire une copie d’un objet ou d’une activité déjà faite.

The French verb "doubler" has several related meanings in English, mostly connected to the idea of "doubling" or "passing."

Meaning and Explanation:

  1. To double (make twice as much or twice as many)

    • This is the most basic meaning: to multiply by two or to increase the quantity, size, or number of something by two times.
    • Example: La population a doublé en dix ans. — The population doubled in ten years.
  2. To overtake / pass (a vehicle or person in front)

    • In driving, "doubler" means to overtake or pass a car that is ahead of you on the road.
    • Example: Il a doublé la voiture lentement. — He overtook the car slowly.
  3. To dub (a film or video)

    • In cinema or media, "doubler" can mean to add a voice-over or new soundtrack in a different language, i.e., "to dub" a movie.
    • Example: Le film a été doublé en français. — The film was dubbed in French.
  4. To double up

    • It can also mean to "double up" in a general sense, like doubling something physically or figuratively (e.g., doubling responsibilities).

Word Parts:

  • Root: double (latin "duplex" meaning "twofold")
  • Verb suffix: -er (common for infinitive verbs in French)

Synonyms:

  • To double size/amount: multiplier (to multiply), augmenter (to increase)
  • To overtake: dépasser, passer
  • To dub: remplacer la voix (voice replacement)
  • To double in general: redoubler (in some contexts means to repeat or to double)

Antonyms:

  • Reduce, halve, diminish: réduire, diviser en deux, diminuer
  • In overtaking sense: se faire doubler (to be overtaken)
  • In dubbing sense: no exact opposite, but "to leave original" (laisser en version originale)

Summary:

  • Doubler generally means "to double" something (quantity, size).
  • It also means "to overtake" another vehicle or person.
  • In media, it means "to dub" a film.
  • The meaning depends on the context in which it is used.

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Examples

La voiture doit doubler le bus.verb

The car has to overtake the bus.

Pourquoi veux-tu doubler si vite dans ce virage ?verb

Why do you want to overtake so fast in this turn?

J'ai doublé mon salaire en un an.verb

I doubled my salary in one year.

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