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percer
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., acheter).
a. to pierce
C’est mon cousin qui m’a percé l’oreille. Il vient d’ouvrir son propre salon.My cousin was the one who pierced my ear. He just opened his own salon.
b. to drill
En perçant le sol, les ouvriers ont découvert un gisement de pétrole.While drilling the ground, the workers discovered an oil field.
a. to break through
Une baleine a percé les flots dans un saut majestueux.A whale broke through the waves in a majestic leap.
b. to pierce through
Seul l’éclat des lampadaires perçait le brouillard épais.Only the glow of the streetlights pierced through the thick fog.
a. to solve
L’enquêtrice a percé le mystère du vol des bijoux.The investigator solved the mystery of the jewelry theft.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., éternuer.).
4. (figurative) (to succeed)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to get one’s big break (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Cet acteur n’a pas encore percé, mais je suis sûr que ça ne saurait tarder.This actor didn’t get his big break yet, but I’m sure it won’t be long.
b. to become famous
La chanteuse a percé de manière très soudaine grâce au succès de son titre phare.The singer became famous very suddenly thanks to the success of her hit song.
c. to emerge
Après des années de travail, Cyrielle a percé dans le monde de l'art.After years of hard work, Cyrielle emerged in the art world.
b. to come through
La première dent de ma fille vient de percer.My daughter’s first tooth has just come through.
Conjugations
Indicative of "percer"
Irregularities are in red
Collins French Verb Conjugation Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2023
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