pénétrer

to penetrate, to enter

verb peh-neh-TREH Less Common

Also means

to soak in, to pervade

Usage Note

Pénétrer follows the -é- → -è- spelling change in the present tense: il pénètre. It is used for physically entering a space, for a liquid soaking through, and figuratively for an idea permeating a mind. Bien pénétré de means 'thoroughly convinced of'. The related adjective pénétrant ('penetrating, sharp') describes a gaze, smell, or intelligence.

Examples

"La lumière pénètre lentement dans la pièce."

Natural Translation

The light slowly penetrates the room.

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