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B1 verb 7 min de lectura

enfouir

Ejemplos enfouir en 30 segundos
Explicación enfouir in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of 'enfouir' as a special word for 'to hide' in the ground. Imagine a dog with a bone. The dog doesn't just put the bone on the grass; he digs a hole and puts it inside. That action is 'enfouir'. You might also see it when playing at the beach. When you put your feet deep into the sand so no one can see them, you are 'enfouir' your feet. It is a verb that ends in -ir, like 'finir'. Even though it's a bit advanced for beginners, you can remember it by thinking of 'en-' (in) and 'fouir' (an old word for digging). Just remember: it means putting something deep inside something else like sand, dirt, or snow.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'enfouir' for simple daily activities. For example, if you are cold in bed, you might 'enfouir' your head under the blanket. In the garden, you 'enfouir' seeds in the soil so they can grow. It's different from 'cacher' (to hide) because 'enfouir' always means there is something covering the object completely, like earth or cloth. You should also notice that it is a second-group verb. This means when you say 'we bury', you say 'nous enfouissons'. It's a useful word for describing nature, like how a squirrel hides its nuts for the winter.
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For B1 learners, 'enfouir' becomes a key word for discussing more complex topics like the environment and emotions. You will encounter 'l'enfouissement des déchets' (burying waste), which is a common topic in news about ecology. You also start to use the word metaphorically. If you have a secret that you don't want anyone to know, you might 'enfouir' that secret in your heart. It implies a conscious effort to keep something hidden deep down. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 'enterrer' (to bury in the ground, often for a funeral) and 'enfouir' (to bury or push deep into any material for concealment).
At the B2 level, you should master the nuance of 'enfouir' in literature and professional contexts. It is often used to describe things that are 'deep-seated' or 'embedded'. For instance, 'des traditions enfouies' (deeply rooted traditions) or 'des sentiments enfouis'. You will notice it used in archaeology to describe artifacts found deep in the strata of the earth. The reflexive form 's'enfouir' is also important here, often used to describe someone withdrawing from the world or burying themselves in their work ('s'enfouir dans son travail'). You should be comfortable with its conjugation in all tenses, including the 'passé simple' (il enfouit) and the 'subjonctif' (qu'il enfouisse).
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At the C1 level, 'enfouir' is used with high precision to convey subtle shades of meaning. In a literary sense, it might describe the way a landscape 'enfouit' a village in mist, or how a writer 'enfouit' clues within a complex narrative. It carries a connotation of 'shrouding' or 'engulfing'. You should be able to use it in academic discussions about sociology or history, such as 'enfouir les traumatismes collectifs' (burying collective traumas). The word choice here suggests a deliberate, perhaps even forced, act of forgetting or covering up history. It is a powerful verb for describing anything that is not just hidden, but deeply integrated into a surrounding mass.
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For C2 mastery, 'enfouir' is a tool for philosophical and highly abstract expression. It can describe the way truth is 'enfouie' under layers of rhetoric or how human existence is 'enfouie' in the passage of time. You will recognize its use in the works of thinkers like Proust or Flaubert, where the physical act of burying often mirrors a deep internal process of memory or repression. At this level, you understand that 'enfouir' is not just about the action, but about the state of being 'enfoui'—the profound isolation or preservation that comes with being buried deep within a system, a thought, or the earth itself. It is the ultimate word for the 'unseen depths'.
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Ejemplos

enfouir en 30 segundos

  • Enfouir means to bury or hide something deep within a material like earth or sand, focusing on the act of concealment and depth.
  • It is a second-group verb (-ir), meaning it follows the conjugation pattern of 'finir' with the 'iss' infix in plural forms.
  • Commonly used in gardening (seeds), ecology (waste), and psychology (suppressed emotions or memories), offering a versatile range of applications.
  • Distinguished from 'enterrer' by its emphasis on hiding and the variety of covering materials, not just limited to the earth.

The French verb enfouir is a versatile and evocative term that primarily describes the act of putting something deep into the ground or covering it up completely so that it is no longer visible. While its most literal application involves soil and earth, it extends far beyond the garden into the realms of psychology, waste management, and archaeology. At its core, enfouir implies a deliberate action of hiding or storing something by surrounding it with a material—usually earth, but also sand, snow, or even metaphorical layers of time and memory.

Physical Burial
This is the most common use. It refers to placing an object in a hole and covering it. Unlike 'enterrer' (to bury), which is often associated with funerals, 'enfouir' suggests a more utilitarian or secretive action, like a dog hiding a bone or a pirate hiding treasure.

L'écureuil s'empresse d' enfouir ses noisettes avant que l'hiver ne s'installe.

Metaphorical Suppression
In a psychological context, people 'enfouissent' their feelings or memories. This implies pushing them deep into the subconscious to avoid dealing with them, much like burying an object deep in the mud where it won't be found easily.

Elle a tenté d'enfouir sa tristesse derrière un sourire de façade.

Environmental and Industrial Context
In modern discussions about ecology, you will hear about 'l'enfouissement des déchets' (waste burial/landfill). This refers to the technical process of disposing of refuse by burying it in specialized sites.

La municipalité a décidé d'enfouir les câbles électriques pour préserver le paysage.

Les archéologues ont découvert des statuettes enfouies sous des siècles de poussière.

Whether you are talking about a gardener burying compost, a child burying their face in a pillow, or a government burying nuclear waste, enfouir captures the essence of deep concealment. It suggests a certain permanence or a significant effort to hide something beneath a heavy layer.

Using enfouir correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure and the nuances of its objects. As a transitive verb, it always takes a direct object—the thing being buried. You 'enfouir' something 'dans' (in) or 'sous' (under) something else. Because it is a second-group verb, learners must be careful with the plural forms in the present tense, which feature the '-iss-' infix.

Direct Object Usage
The structure is 'enfouir [quelque chose]'. You can bury physical objects like money or seeds, or abstract concepts like secrets or shame.

Il a enfoui son visage dans ses mains pour pleurer discrètement.

Reflexive Form (S'enfouir)
When used reflexively, 's'enfouir' means to bury oneself or to burrow. This is common when describing animals or people trying to get warm or hide.

Le petit lapin s'est enfoui sous la paille pour dormir.

Les preuves qu'il a enfouies ne seront jamais retrouvées.

Common Prepositions
Use 'dans' for 'inside' (enfouir dans le sable) and 'sous' for 'under' (enfouir sous les draps). Use 'au fond de' for 'at the bottom of' (enfouir au fond d'un tiroir).

Elle enfouissait toujours ses clés au fond de son sac à main.

In summary, 'enfouir' is a verb of action and movement. It describes the transition of an object from the visible surface to a hidden, enclosed space. Whether you are using it in a literal or figurative sense, focus on the 'en-' prefix, which often denotes 'into' or 'within', helping you remember the direction of the action.

You will encounter enfouir in a variety of real-world contexts, from the evening news to classic literature. It is not a slang word, but rather a standard, slightly formal term that carries a weight of seriousness and depth. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word's 'flavor' in different settings.

In Environmental News
Journalists often use the noun form 'enfouissement' when discussing the 'centre d'enfouissement technique' (landfill site). It is a key term in debates about ecology and waste management.

Le reportage dénonce les dangers d'enfouir des produits toxiques près des nappes phréatiques.

In Literature and Noir Fiction
Crime novelists love this word. Characters 'enfouissent' evidence, weapons, or bodies. It adds a sense of dark secrecy to the narrative.

Dans le roman, le coupable a enfoui l'arme du crime sous un vieux chêne.

Il est temps d'enfouir la hache de guerre et de faire la paix.

In Psychology and Self-Help
Therapists might talk about 'émotions enfouies' (buried emotions). This refers to trauma or feelings that a patient has suppressed for years.

La thérapie l'a aidé à libérer des souvenirs enfouis depuis son enfance.

From the garden to the therapist's couch, 'enfouir' is a word that suggests there is more than meets the eye. It invites the listener to think about what lies beneath the surface, making it a powerful tool for descriptive and emotional storytelling.

Even advanced learners can stumble when using enfouir. The most common errors involve conjugation, confusion with similar verbs, and prepositional errors. Let's break down these pitfalls to ensure your French remains precise and natural.

Conjugation Errors
Many learners treat 'enfouir' as a regular '-er' verb because of its sound. However, it is a second-group verb. Saying 'nous enfouions' (wrong) instead of 'nous enfouissons' (correct) is a frequent mistake. Always remember the 'double s' in the plural forms.

Correct: Nous enfouissons les graines. Incorrect: Nous enfouirons (unless you mean future tense!).

Confusing with 'Enterrer'
While they both mean 'to bury', 'enterrer' is the standard word for funerals or putting something in the 'terre' (earth). 'Enfouir' is more about the act of pushing something deep inside or covering it up with any material. You 'enterrer' a pet, but you 'enfouir' your face in a towel.

On enterre un mort, mais on enfouit un trésor secret.

Preposition Pitfalls
English speakers often want to use 'avec' (with) when they mean 'under' or 'in'. You don't 'enfouir' something 'avec' dirt (usually), you 'enfouir' it 'dans' or 'sous' the dirt.

Il a enfoui l'argent dans le jardin. (Correct)

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the 'double s' conjugation and the difference from 'enterrer'—you will avoid the most common traps and sound much more like a native speaker.

To truly master enfouir, it's helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. French has several words for 'burying' or 'hiding', each with its own specific context and flavor.

Enterrer
The most common synonym. It literally means 'to put into the earth' (en + terre). It is the standard term for funerals and general gardening. Use it for: 'enterrer un animal', 'enterrer une plante'.
Cacher / Dissimuler
These mean 'to hide'. While 'enfouir' involves hiding by burying, 'cacher' is more general. You can 'cacher' something behind a curtain, but you wouldn't 'enfouir' it there unless you were pushing it deep into the fabric.

Il a dissimulé son identité, mais il a enfoui son passé.

Immerger
This means 'to submerge' in liquid. While 'enfouir' is usually for solids (earth, sand), 'immerger' is for water. However, metaphorically, they can be similar (immergé dans le travail vs enfoui sous le travail).

Le sous-marin s'est immergé, tandis que le trésor restait enfoui.

Noyer
Meaning 'to drown'. Metaphorically, you can 'noyer son chagrin' (drown one's sorrow) or 'enfouir son chagrin' (bury one's sorrow). 'Enfouir' suggests hiding it away, while 'noyer' suggests overwhelming it.

Choosing the right word depends on the material you are using and the nuance of concealment you want to convey. If there's earth involved and a sense of deep hiding, 'enfouir' is almost always your best choice.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ɑ̃.fwiʁ/
US /ɑ̃.fwiʁ/
Stress is typically on the last syllable in French.
Rima con
réjouir épanouir évanouir éblouir
Errores comunes
  • Pronouncing the 'n' as a hard English N (it should be nasal).
  • Failing to pronounce the final 'r'.
  • Confusing the 'oui' sound with 'ou-i' (two syllables); it should be a quick glide.
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Ejemplos por nivel

1

Le chien va enfouir son os dans le jardin.

The dog is going to bury his bone in the garden.

Future proche: aller + infinitive.

2

J'enfouis mes mains dans mes poches.

I bury my hands in my pockets.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

3

Il enfouit le trésor sous le sable.

He buries the treasure under the sand.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

4

Nous enfouissons les graines dans la terre.

We are burying the seeds in the earth.

Notice the -iss- for 1st person plural.

5

Elle veut enfouir son visage dans l'oreiller.

She wants to bury her face in the pillow.

Infinitive after the verb 'vouloir'.

6

L'écureuil a enfoui une noisette.

The squirrel buried a hazelnut.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

7

Est-ce que tu vas enfouir tes pieds dans le sable ?

Are you going to bury your feet in the sand?

Question using 'est-ce que'.

8

Ne pas enfouir les déchets ici.

Do not bury trash here.

Negative imperative using infinitive for instructions.

1

Les enfants s'enfouissent sous la couette.

The children are burying themselves under the duvet.

Reflexive verb 's'enfouir'.

2

Le jardinier enfouit le compost pour nourrir le sol.

The gardener buries the compost to feed the soil.

Present tense.

3

Tu enfouis toujours tes clés au fond de ton sac.

You always bury your keys at the bottom of your bag.

Adverb 'toujours' placed after the verb.

4

Le renard a enfoui sa proie sous la neige.

The fox buried its prey under the snow.

Passé composé.

5

Nous enfouissons les câbles pour qu'ils soient protégés.

We are burying the cables so they are protected.

Subjunctive after 'pour que'.

6

Elle a enfoui sa tête dans son écharpe à cause du vent.

She buried her head in her scarf because of the wind.

Preposition 'à cause de'.

7

Ils ont enfoui les restes du pique-nique.

They buried the leftovers of the picnic.

Direct object 'les restes'.

8

Il ne faut pas enfouir ses problèmes.

One must not bury one's problems.

Impersonal 'il faut' + negative.

1

La ville doit enfouir les lignes électriques pour l'esthétique.

The city must bury the power lines for aesthetics.

Modal verb 'devoir'.

2

Elle a enfoui ses souvenirs douloureux pendant des années.

She buried her painful memories for years.

Metaphorical usage.

3

Les déchets nucléaires sont enfouis très profondément.

Nuclear waste is buried very deeply.

Passive voice.

4

Nous enfouissons les bulbes en automne pour le printemps.

We bury the bulbs in autumn for the spring.

Temporal prepositions.

5

Le détective pense que l'arme est enfouie quelque part ici.

The detective thinks the weapon is buried somewhere here.

Subordinate clause with 'que'.

6

Il a enfoui son visage dans ses mains, accablé par la nouvelle.

He buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed by the news.

Past participle used as an adjective (accablé).

7

Pourquoi veux-tu enfouir cette affaire au lieu d'en parler ?

Why do you want to bury this matter instead of talking about it?

Pronoun 'en' replacing 'de cette affaire'.

8

L'archéologue a trouvé une jarre enfouie sous la villa.

The archaeologist found a jar buried under the villa.

Agreement of 'enfouie' with 'une jarre'.

1

Le poète enfouit ses vers dans un vieux carnet secret.

The poet buries his verses in an old secret notebook.

Literary context.

2

S'enfouir dans le travail est sa façon d'oublier son ex.

Burying himself in work is his way of forgetting his ex.

Infinitive as a subject.

3

Les sédiments s'enfouissent lentement au fond de l'océan.

Sediments are slowly being buried at the bottom of the ocean.

Reflexive used for a natural process.

4

Il est dangereux d'enfouir des bouteilles de gaz usagées.

It is dangerous to bury used gas cylinders.

Impersonal construction 'il est + adjective + de'.

5

Elle enfouissait ses larmes pour ne pas inquiéter ses enfants.

She was burying her tears so as not to worry her children.

Imparfait for habitual action/state.

6

Les racines s'enfouissent profondément pour chercher l'eau.

The roots bury themselves deeply to seek water.

Adverb 'profondément'.

7

Il a fallu enfouir les tuyaux avant le gel de l'hiver.

It was necessary to bury the pipes before the winter frost.

Passé composé of 'falloir'.

8

Une partie de l'histoire reste enfouie dans les archives.

Part of history remains buried in the archives.

Verb 'rester' + past participle.

1

L'auteur s'attache à enfouir des indices subtils dans son récit.

The author makes a point of burying subtle clues in his narrative.

Expression 's'attacher à'.

2

Le brouillard finit par enfouir la vallée dans un silence ouaté.

The fog eventually buries the valley in a padded silence.

Metaphorical use of 'enfouir' for weather.

3

Il a tenté d'enfouir sa honte sous une arrogance déplacée.

He tried to bury his shame under a misplaced arrogance.

Abstract direct object.

4

Les vestiges de la cité antique gisent enfouis sous les sables.

The remains of the ancient city lie buried under the sands.

Verb 'gésir' (to lie).

5

Nous ne pouvons plus enfouir la vérité sous des mensonges.

We can no longer bury the truth under lies.

Negation 'ne... plus'.

6

Le projet d'enfouissement des déchets radioactifs fait polémique.

The radioactive waste burial project is causing controversy.

Noun form 'enfouissement'.

7

Elle s'est enfouie dans une solitude profonde après le drame.

She buried herself in deep solitude after the tragedy.

Reflexive 's'enfouir' for emotional states.

8

L'hiver a enfoui le village sous un épais manteau de neige.

Winter buried the village under a thick blanket of snow.

Personification of 'l'hiver'.

1

La mémoire collective tend à enfouir les épisodes les plus sombres.

Collective memory tends to bury the darkest episodes.

Sociological context.

2

Tout philosophe cherche à enfouir sa pensée dans l'essence des choses.

Every philosopher seeks to bury his thought in the essence of things.

Highly abstract usage.

3

L'oubli finit par enfouir les noms les plus illustres.

Oblivion eventually buries the most illustrious names.

Subject 'L'oubli' (forgetfulness/oblivion).

4

Il a fallu des millénaires pour enfouir ces couches géologiques.

It took millennia to bury these geological layers.

Scientific/Geological context.

5

L'artiste refuse d'enfouir son talent dans la médiocrité ambiante.

The artist refuses to bury his talent in the surrounding mediocrity.

Figurative resistance.

6

Le secret fut enfoui si profondément que nul ne le retrouva.

The secret was buried so deeply that no one found it.

Passé simple and 'si... que' construction.

7

Elle s'enfouit dans la lecture pour échapper à la réalité.

She buries herself in reading to escape reality.

Reflexive 's'enfouir' + 'pour' + infinitive.

8

On ne saurait enfouir indéfiniment le désir de liberté.

One cannot indefinitely bury the desire for freedom.

Use of 'saurait' for 'can'.

Colocaciones comunes

enfouir ses mains
enfouir un secret
centre d'enfouissement
enfouir son visage
enfouir des graines
enfouir sous la neige
sentiment enfoui
enfouir les câbles
s'enfouir dans le lit
trésor enfoui

Frases Comunes

enfouir la hache de guerre

— To bury the hatchet; to stop fighting and make peace.

Après des années de conflit, ils ont enfin enfoui la hache de guerre.

enfouir sa tête dans le sable

— To bury one's head in the sand; to ignore a problem.

Tu ne peux pas continuer à enfouir ta tête dans le sable face à tes dettes.

être enfoui sous le travail

— To be buried under work; to have too much to do.

Je ne peux pas sortir ce soir, je suis enfoui sous le travail.

enfouir ses rêves

— To give up on one's dreams or hide them away.

Elle a enfoui ses rêves d'artiste pour devenir comptable.

enfouir un souvenir

— To try to forget a specific memory by pushing it down.

Il a tenté d'enfouir ce souvenir traumatisant.

s'enfouir dans ses pensées

— To get lost in one's thoughts; to withdraw mentally.

Il s'est enfoui dans ses pensées et n'a plus rien dit.

enfouir profondément

— To bury very deep; used both literally and figuratively.

Le coffre est enfoui profondément sous l'arbre.

enfouir dans l'oubli

— To consign to oblivion; to let something be forgotten.

Le temps a fini par enfouir cette histoire dans l'oubli.

enfouir sous les décombres

— To bury under rubble; often used in disaster contexts.

Des survivants étaient enfouis sous les décombres de l'immeuble.

enfouir son talent

— To waste or hide one's natural abilities.

C'est dommage d'enfouir ton talent pour le piano.

Modismos y expresiones

"Enfouir la hache de guerre"

— To make peace with an enemy.

Il est temps d'enfouir la hache de guerre.

informal
"Enfouir sa tête dans le sable"

— Refusing to face reality.

Arrête d'enfouir ta tête dans le sable !

neutral
"S'enfouir dans un trou de souris"

— To want to disappear out of shame.

J'avais tellement honte que je voulais m'enfouir dans un trou de souris.

informal
"Enfouir le passé"

— To decide to no longer talk about what happened before.

Nous devons enfouir le passé pour avancer.

neutral
"Être enfoui jusqu'au cou"

— To be deeply involved or overwhelmed by something.

Il est enfoui jusqu'au cou dans cette affaire louche.

informal
"Enfouir ses remords"

— To suppress feelings of guilt.

Il n'arrivera jamais à enfouir ses remords.

neutral
"Enfouir la vérité"

— To hide the truth intentionally.

Le gouvernement a tenté d'enfouir la vérité sur l'accident.

formal
"S'enfouir dans le silence"

— To stop communicating completely.

Après la dispute, elle s'est enfouie dans le silence.

literary
"Enfouir sous des fleurs"

— To cover something negative with excessive praise or beauty.

Il a enfoui ses critiques sous des fleurs de compliments.

literary
"Enfouir dans la tombe"

— To take a secret to the grave.

Il a enfoui son secret dans la tombe.

dramatic
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