You might recognize the French verb "squatter" because it looks and sounds very similar to the English verb "to squat." While the core meaning is the same – occupying a space without permission – in French, it specifically refers to occupying an uninhabited building illegally. This isn't about doing squats at the gym!
So, if you hear someone say "Ils squattent cette maison abandonnée," they mean "They are squatting in that abandoned house." It implies an illegal and often long-term occupation rather than just temporarily sitting down. Understanding this nuance helps avoid confusion and ensures you use the word correctly in conversation.
You'll often hear the verb squatter in French news or everyday conversations, especially in urban contexts. It means to occupy an abandoned building or land without legal right, similar to the English term 'to squat'. This act is generally seen as illegal and can lead to legal action. However, the term can also be used in a more casual, informal way to mean 'to crash at someone's place' or 'to hang out somewhere for a long time', though this usage is less formal and depends heavily on context.
Ejemplos por nivel
Ils ont décidé de squatter l'immeuble abandonné après l'expulsion.
They decided to squat the abandoned building after the eviction.
Past tense, 'décider de' + infinitive.
Les jeunes sans-abris sont souvent obligés de squatter pour avoir un toit.
Homeless youth are often forced to squat to have a roof.
'Être obligé de' + infinitive.
Le propriétaire a découvert que des gens squattaient sa maison de campagne.
The owner discovered that people were squatting his country house.
Past tense, imperfect for ongoing action.
C'est dangereux de squatter, on peut avoir des problèmes avec la loi.
It's dangerous to squat, you can have problems with the law.
Impersonal expression 'C'est dangereux de' + infinitive.
La police est intervenue pour déloger les personnes qui squattaient le bâtiment.
The police intervened to dislodge the people who were squatting the building.
Past tense, 'intervenir pour' + infinitive.
Ils cherchaient un endroit où squatter, loin des regards.
They were looking for a place to squat, away from prying eyes.
Imperfect tense, 'chercher un endroit où' + infinitive.
Beaucoup de films dépeignent la vie de ceux qui sont forcés de squatter.
Many films depict the life of those who are forced to squat.
Present tense, 'être forcé de' + infinitive.
Personne ne devrait avoir à squatter pour survivre, c'est une honte.
No one should have to squat to survive, it's a shame.
Conditional, 'avoir à' + infinitive.
Ponte a prueba 6 preguntas
This sentence describes the act of squatting with a clear motive related to social activism.
This sentence highlights the legal implications and the underlying reasons for squatting.
This sentence presents squatting as part of a larger social movement and its impact.
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
Contenido relacionado
Más palabras de home
à disposition
B1Available for use; at one's disposal.
à distance de
B1At a certain distance from something.
à droite de
B1To the right of; on the right side of.
à gauche de
B1To the left of; on the left side of.
à gaz
A2Powered by gas; gas-powered.
à la maison
A2At home; in one's place of residence.
à l'écart
B1Away from others; apart; aside.
à l'étage
B1On an upper floor of a building; upstairs.
à l'extérieur
A2On or to the outer side or surface of something.
à l'intérieur
A2In or to the inner part or interior of something.
