reculer

back up

verb reh-kü-LEH Less Common

Also means

retreat

Usage Note

Reculer means to move backwards, whether a person, a vehicle, or a metaphorical position. Reculer pour mieux sauter ('step back to jump better') is a well-known French proverb meaning that a strategic retreat prepares a stronger advance. Faire reculer means to push something back or roll it back (e.g., faire reculer le chômage, 'to reduce unemployment').

Examples

"Il a dû reculer pour laisser passer."

Natural Translation

He had to back up to let them pass.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Faire in French: To Make, To Do, and More

Faire in French means more than make and do: master faire vs rendre, weather and sports idioms, the causative, and the mistakes English speakers make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Adjective Placement: Before or After the Noun?

French adjectives usually follow the noun, but a small common set goes before it — and a few change meaning depending on which side they sit. Here's the rule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Passé Composé vs Imparfait: When to Use Each

Passé composé tells the story; imparfait paints the scene. Use this 2-second flowchart, trigger words, and paired examples to pick the right French tense.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Avoir or Être? Picking the Right Past-Tense Helper

Use avoir for the passé composé unless the verb is reflexive or one of ~16 DR MRS VANDERTRAMP motion verbs, which take être and force agreement.

June 4, 2026 5 min read