Usage Note
Franchir implies overcoming a barrier or threshold, not just moving across it; passer merely implies movement. You franchissez a frontier, a finish line, or a mental block. The noun franchissement refers to the act of crossing, often used in sports or engineering contexts.
Examples
"Il a franchi la ligne d'arrivée."
Natural Translation
He crossed the finish line.
Literal Translation
He crossed the line of arrival.

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