protéger
/pʁɔ.te.ʒe/verb★Beginner
general
To defend or shield someone or something from harm, danger, or damage.
Le gouvernement doit protéger les citoyens.
The government must protect its citizens.
Un casque protège la tête.
A helmet protects the head.
💡
Commonly used in both physical and abstract contexts.
Collocations
protéger quelqu'unto protect someoneprotéger contreto protect againstprotéger deto protect from
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
protéger ses arrièresidiom
to cover one's back
💡Pro Tip
Preposition Choice
Use 'contre' for general protection and 'de' for specific threats.
⚡Gold Rule
Reflexive Use
Can be reflexive ('se protéger') when referring to self-protection.
📖Word Origin
From Latin 'protegere', meaning 'to cover, shield'.
📝Usage Notes
Often used with prepositions 'contre' (against) or 'de' (from).
Word Breakdown
pro-
forward, in favor of
prefix-téger
to cover, shield
rootDictionnaire Français-Anglais