prévenir

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inform, notify, warn, alert, prevent
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/pʁevniʁ/
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To act before something happens, by informing, protecting or preparing.

Examples

  • Ils avaient prévenu nos attentes.
    They had anticipated our expectations.
  • Il faut prévenir le médecin.
    We must notify the doctor.
  • Ce vaccin aide à prévenir la maladie.
    This vaccine helps prevent the illness.
  • La météo prévient les habitants de la tempête.
    The weather service warns residents of the storm.
  • Elle les a prévenus des risques.
    She warned them about the risks.

Similar words

informer
anticiper
incliner
avertir
éviter
avertir
disposer
devancer
alerter
influencer

Meanings

Tell ahead of time

verb
communication
neutral
To tell someone about an event or change so they are ready for it.

Examples

  • Préviens-moi si tu arrives en retard.
    Let me know if you arrive late.
  • Elle a prévenu ses parents de son départ.
    She told her parents about her departure.
  • Il faut prévenir le médecin.
    We must notify the doctor.
  • Nous les préviendrons demain.
    We will inform them tomorrow.
  • Personne ne m’avait prévenu du changement.
    No one had told me about the change.

Similar words

Warn of danger

verb
safety
neutral
To alert someone to a risk or threat before it affects them.

Examples

  • Le panneau prévient les visiteurs du danger.
    The sign warns visitors of the danger.
  • Je t’avais prévenu : la route est glissante.
    I warned you: the road is slippery.
  • La météo prévient les habitants de la tempête.
    The weather service warns residents of the storm.
  • Elle les a prévenus des risques.
    She warned them about the risks.
  • La sirène prévient la population.
    The siren warns the public.

Similar words

Stop something harmful

verb
prevention
neutral
To take action so an unwanted event does not happen.

Examples

  • Ce vaccin aide à prévenir la maladie.
    This vaccine helps prevent the illness.
  • Il faut prévenir les accidents.
    We must prevent accidents.
  • Nous essayons de prévenir les conflits.
    We are trying to prevent conflicts.
  • Un bon entretien prévient les pannes.
    Good maintenance prevents breakdowns.
  • Cette mesure vise à prévenir la fraude.
    This measure aims to prevent fraud.

Similar words

Anticipate a need

verb
social care
neutral
To notice and meet someone’s need or wish before they ask.

Examples

  • Elle sait prévenir les besoins de ses invités.
    She knows how to anticipate her guests’ needs.
  • Il a prévenu leur désir de partir.
    He anticipated their wish to leave.
  • Le personnel prévient chaque demande.
    The staff anticipate every request.
  • Ils avaient prévenu nos attentes.
    They had anticipated our expectations.
  • Un accueil attentif prévient les petits besoins.
    Attentive service anticipates small needs.

Similar words

Shape an opinion early

verb
opinion
literary
To make someone favor or distrust a person or idea before knowing it well.

Examples

  • Ses paroles m’ont prévenu contre lui.
    His words biased me against him.
  • On l’avait prévenue contre cette idée.
    She had been biased against that idea.
  • Cette première rencontre nous a prévenus en sa faveur.
    That first meeting disposed us in his favor.
  • Les critiques l’ont prévenu contre le livre.
    The reviews biased him against the book.
  • Son sourire les a prévenus en sa faveur.
    Her smile disposed them in her favor.

Similar words

Etymology

From Latin praevenire, “to come before”.

FAQ

What does prévenir usually mean?

To tell someone in advance.

Can it mean “warn”?

Yes. It can warn someone of a risk.

Can it mean “prevent”?

Yes. With a harmful event as object, it means stop it from happening.

What is the present je form?

Je préviens.

What is the past participle?

Prévenu.

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