Skip to content

priver

to deprive, to deny

verb pree-VEH Less Common
Mind & Emotions

Origin: Latin privare (to rob, deprive)

Usage Note

Priver is usually followed by de (priver quelqu'un de sommeil = to deprive someone of sleep). The reflexive se priver de means to go without or to deny oneself something (se priver de dessert). The noun privation refers to hardship or deprivation.

Examples

"On ne doit pas priver les enfants de jeu."

Natural Translation

Children must not be deprived of play.

Literal Translation

One must not deprive children of play.

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