empecher

Empêcher is a French verb meaning to prevent, hinder, or stop someone or something from doing something. It is a transitive verb that typically takes a direct object and is used with a following phrase such as de + infinitive or with a subordinate clause introduced by que.

Etymology and meaning extensions: the verb comes from Old French empecher and is ultimately linked to the Latin impedire, “to hinder.” In modern usage, it covers preventing actions by people (empêcher quelqu’un de faire quelque chose) as well as preventing events or situations (empêcher que cela se produise, or des mesures visant à empêcher une fuite).

Conjugation: empêche is the typical stem for many forms, with the standard -er verb endings. Key forms include: je empêche, tu empêche s, il empêche, nous empêchons, vous empêchez, ils empêchent. The past participle is empêché, used with the auxiliary avoir (j’ai empêché). The present participle is empêchant. The reflexive form s’empêcher exists and means to restrain oneself, as in s’empêcher de faire quelque chose.

Usage notes: common construction is emp<person>er quelqu’un de + infinitif, e.g., elle m’a empêché d’entrer. It can also be used with de to prevent an action: cela empêche de travailler; or with que + subjonctif to prevent that: il faut empêcher que cela se produise. In everyday speech, synonyms include prévenir and éviter, though each verb has its own nuance.

See also: other French verbs of hindrance such as prévenir, bloquer, et éviter, and notes on reflexive usage with s’empêcher de.