mater

to ogle, spy on

verb ma-TAY Less Common

Also means

to subdue, checkmate

Usage Note

Mater has two quite different senses depending on register: in colloquial French it means to stare at or ogle someone (mater quelqu'un), while in more formal or chess/martial contexts it means to subdue or checkmate (mater l'adversaire). The colloquial sense is the more commonly heard one in everyday speech.

Examples

"Arrête de mater les gens dans la rue."

Natural Translation

Stop ogling people in the street.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

French Numbers 1 to 100: Count With Confidence

French numbers 1 to 100 in one complete chart, with pronunciation, the et-un rule, hyphens, and the four-twenties system explained so you can count anywhere.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Silent Letters: The CaReFuL Rule

Final consonants in French are silent by default — except C, R, F, L. The CaReFuL rule, the silent -e, the plural-s trap, and liaison, explained simply.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Object Pronouns: le, la, lui, leur Order

Le lui or lui le? Use the à-name test to pick le/la vs lui/leur, then one slot chart to order two French object pronouns — plus the command exception.

June 4, 2026 6 min read