frapper
knock · hit
C’est donner un coup avec la main ou un objet sur quelque chose ou quelqu’un.
Word: frapper
Meaning:
The French verb "frapper" primarily means "to hit" or "to strike." It involves the action of making contact with something or someone forcefully, typically with the hand or an object.
Explanation:
- Literal meaning: To hit or strike someone or something physically.
- It can also mean to knock on a door (e.g., frapper à la porte = "to knock at the door").
- Additionally, it can be used metaphorically to mean to affect or to impress someone emotionally (e.g., Cela m'a frappé = "That struck me" or "That impacted me").
Parts:
- It is a regular -er verb, following the standard conjugation of first group verbs in French.
- Root: frapp-
- Common forms: frapper (infinitive), frappe (first person singular present), frappé (past participle).
Synonyms:
- to hit: battre, cogner, taper
- to knock: toquer
- to strike/impress (figurative): toucher, impressionner
Antonyms:
- For "to hit": épargner (to spare), ignorer (to ignore, in a sense of not striking)
- For "to knock" (no direct antonym, but maybe passer sans frapper = to pass without knocking)
Examples:
-
Il frappe la porte.
(He knocks on the door.) -
Ne frappe pas ton frère !
(Don't hit your brother!) -
Ce film m'a vraiment frappé.
(This film really struck me/impacted me.)
In summary, "frapper" is a versatile verb used to express physical striking, knocking on something, or metaphorically impacting someone emotionally.
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Examples
Je vais frapper à la porte.verb
I am going to knock on the door.
Elle frappe doucement à la porte.verb
She knocks softly on the door.
Marie veut frapper à la fenêtre.verb
Marie wants to knock on the window.
Il frappe la balle.verb
He hits the ball.
Tu ne dois pas frapper ton frère.verb
You must not hit your brother.
Pourquoi ces garçons frappaient-ils la balle si fort ?verb
Why were those boys hitting the ball so hard?
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