se précipiter

/sə pʁesiˈpite/
to rush or hurry

Il s'est précipité pour attraper le train.

He rushed to catch the train.


general

To move or act quickly, often impulsively or without careful consideration.

Ne te précipite pas dans tes décisions.

Don't rush into your decisions.

Les secours se sont précipités sur les lieux de l'accident.

The rescuers rushed to the scene of the accident.

This phrase can imply both physical haste and impulsive actions.

Related Phrases

prendre son tempsphrase
to take one's time

Pro Tip

Common Usage

Use 'se précipiter' to describe someone moving quickly or acting impulsively. It's often used in both positive and negative contexts.

Gold Rule

Reflexive Pronoun

Remember that 'se précipiter' is a reflexive verb, so the subject must agree with the reflexive pronoun 'se'.

Word Origin

From the verb 'précipiter', derived from Latin 'praecipitare' (to throw down, hurry), with the reflexive pronoun 'se' indicating the action is done to oneself.

Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used to describe both physical movement and hasty decisions. It can carry a negative connotation when used to criticize impulsive behavior.

Word Breakdown

se
oneself
reflexive pronoun
+
précipiter
to rush or hurry
verb
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais