Skip to content

aborder

approach, tackle

verb ah-bor-DEH Less Common

Also means

come alongside, address

Usage Note

Aborder literally means to come alongside a ship, but the most common modern use is figurative: to approach a person or to broach a subject. The expression aborder un sujet délicat (to tackle a sensitive topic) is very natural in conversation. Related noun: abordage (boarding of a ship).

Examples

"Il est difficile d'aborder ce sujet avec elle."

Natural Translation

It is difficult to broach this subject with her.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore French by topic