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To stop someone from speaking or doing something by intervening, often abruptly.
Elle a interrompu son travail pour répondre au téléphone.
She interrupted her work to answer the phone.
N'interromps pas quand quelqu'un parle.
Don't interrupt when someone is speaking.
Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Can imply rudeness if done impolitely.
To break the continuity or flow of an action, event, or process.
La pluie a interrompu le match de tennis.
The rain interrupted the tennis match.
Often used in technical or descriptive contexts.
In French, it's considered rude to interrupt someone mid-sentence. Use 'Excusez-moi de vous interrompre, mais...' to politely interject.
'Interrompre' is an irregular verb in French. Its conjugation follows the pattern of 'rompre' (to break). Example: 'Je romps' (I break), 'J'interromps' (I interrupt).
From Latin 'interrumpere' (to break in between), composed of 'inter-' (between) and 'rumpere' (to break). The word entered French in the 14th century.
Use 'interrompre' for both physical interruptions (e.g., a loud noise) and social interruptions (e.g., cutting someone off while speaking). In polite contexts, 'excuser' or 'pardonner l'interruption' may soften the interruption.