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gêner

to bother

verb zheh-NEH Less Common
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Also means

to embarrass; to obstruct

Usage Note

Gêner is a versatile verb: it can mean to physically obstruct (a parked car blocking traffic), to embarrass (an awkward question), or to inconvenience someone. The adjective gêné means embarrassed or short of money. The noun la gêne means embarrassment or financial difficulty.

Examples

"Est-ce que ça vous gêne si j'ouvre la fenêtre ?"

Natural Translation

Does it bother you if I open the window?

Literal Translation

Is-it-that that you bothers if I open the window?

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