choper

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Translating...
catch, get, pick up, catch, nab
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/ʃɔ.pe/
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To get hold of someone or something, usually quickly and in a very casual way.
Practice using choper in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Il a chopé le rythme dès la première répétition.
    He picked up the rhythm at the first rehearsal.
  • La police l'a chopé à la frontière.
    The police caught him at the border.
  • Si le patron te chope ici, tu vas devoir t'expliquer.
    If the boss catches you here, you will have to explain yourself.
  • Avec ce froid, elle a chopé un rhume.
    In this cold weather, she caught a cold.
  • Dans un rapport officiel, on écrira plutôt arrêté que chopé.
    In an official report, people would write arrested rather than caught.

Similar words

capturer
pécho
chiper
séduire
subtiliser
obtenir
arrêter
prendre
dérober
emballer

Meanings

Get or catch something

verb
everyday
informal
To get hold of something, catch transport, seize an opportunity, or come down with something unwanted.

Examples

  • J'ai chopé le dernier train.
    I caught the last train.
  • Avec ce froid, elle a chopé un rhume.
    In this cold weather, she caught a cold.
  • On peut choper une bonne place si on arrive tôt.
    We can get a good seat if we arrive early.
  • Il a chopé le rythme dès la première répétition.
    He picked up the rhythm at the first rehearsal.
  • Évite choper dans un courriel formel, car le mot est familier.
    Avoid choper in a formal email because it is informal.

Similar words

attraper
prendre
ramasser
décrocher
obtenir
capter

Catch someone

verb
law enforcement
informal
To catch someone, often in the act, or to arrest them.

Examples

  • La police l'a chopé à la frontière.
    The police caught him at the border.
  • Le surveillant les a chopés en train de tricher.
    The supervisor caught them cheating.
  • Si le patron te chope ici, tu vas devoir t'expliquer.
    If the boss catches you here, you will have to explain yourself.
  • Le voleur s'est fait choper grâce aux caméras.
    The thief got caught thanks to the cameras.
  • Dans un rapport officiel, on écrira plutôt arrêté que chopé.
    In an official report, people would write arrested rather than caught.

Similar words

pincer
coincer
cueillir
arrêter
appréhender
capturer

Steal something

verb
crime
informal
To take something that belongs to someone else without permission.

Examples

  • Quelqu'un m'a chopé mon portefeuille dans le métro.
    Someone stole my wallet on the metro.
  • Il a chopé un vélo devant la gare.
    He stole a bicycle outside the station.
  • On lui a chopé son téléphone pendant le concert.
    Someone stole his phone during the concert.
  • Elle s'est fait choper ses écouteurs au vestiaire.
    She had her earphones stolen in the changing room.
  • Dire qu'il a chopé la caisse minimise le vol et sonne très familier.
    Saying he swiped the cash box plays down the theft and sounds very informal.

Similar words

chiper
piquer
faucher
voler
dérober
subtiliser

Seduce or hook up

verb
dating
informal
To succeed in seducing or having a casual romantic or sexual encounter with someone, often with a blunt, objectifying tone.

Examples

  • Il espérait choper au bar, mais il est rentré seul.
    He hoped to hook up with someone at the bar, but he went home alone.
  • Elle a chopé pendant les vacances.
    She hooked up with someone while on holiday.
  • Son ami lui a demandé s'il avait chopé hier soir.
    His friend asked whether he had hooked up with someone last night.
  • Il parle de choper comme d'un jeu, ce qui peut paraître irrespectueux.
    He talks about hooking up with someone as a game, which can sound disrespectful.
  • Dans une conversation plus délicate, séduire est moins cru que choper.
    In a more delicate conversation, séduire is less blunt than hook up with someone.

Similar words

pécho
emballer
lever
séduire
conquérir

Etymology

Recorded in French slang from 1800, probably as a specialised form of chopper, with possible influence from chiper in the sense of stealing.

FAQ

What does choper mean?

Choper informally means to catch or get something, catch someone, steal something, or seduce someone.

Is choper formal French?

No. Choper is familiar and is usually replaced by a more precise verb in formal speech or writing.

What is the difference between choper and chopper?

Choper means to catch or get, while the now rare verb chopper means to stumble or run into an obstacle.

How is choper pronounced?

Choper is pronounced /ʃɔ.pe/.

Can choper mean to catch an illness?

Yes. Choper un rhume means to catch a cold, in an informal tone.

Can choper refer to dating?

Yes. Choper quelqu'un, or using choper without an object, can bluntly mean to seduce or hook up with someone.

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