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risquer

to risk

verb rees-KEH Less Common
Mind & Emotions Attitudes

Usage Note

Risquer is commonly used in the construction risquer de + infinitive, which expresses likelihood of an undesirable outcome: tu risques de tomber means 'you might fall' (not 'you risk falling' word-for-word). The noun risque (risk) and adjective risqué (risky, or bold/daring in English borrowing) both derive from the same root. Risquer le tout pour le tout means to risk everything.

Examples

"Elle ne veut pas risquer sa carrière."

Natural Translation

She does not want to risk her career.

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