guetter
to watch, to lie in wait for
verb geh-TEH Rare
Origin: From Old French gaitier (to keep watch), of Germanic origin.
Usage Note
Guetter implies watchful, often predatory waiting — guetter une occasion (wait for an opportunity), guetter quelqu'un (keep an eye on someone). It conveys more intentional surveillance than the neutral regarder. The noun le guet means a lookout or watch post, as in faire le guet (to keep watch).
Examples
"Le chat guette la souris."
Natural Translation
The cat watches the mouse.

Free starter pack
Building your French vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
FrenchNow
6 min read