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B1 verb #7,000 most common 11 min read

enterrer

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips enterrer in 30 Seconds

Explanation enterrer in your Level:

At the A1 level, enterrer is used in its most literal sense. You will learn it as a verb to describe simple actions involving the ground and objects. For example, 'le chien enterre un os' (the dog buries a bone) or 'j'enterre une graine' (I bury a seed). The focus here is on the physical action. You should learn the present tense conjugation: j'enterre, tu enterres, il enterre. It is a regular verb, so it follows the pattern of 'parler' or 'manger'. At this stage, do not worry about figurative meanings like burying a project or a secret. Just think of it as 'putting something in the dirt'. You might encounter it in simple stories about animals or gardening. It is a useful word to know when describing what happens in a backyard or a park. Remember the double 'r' when writing it, and associate it with the word 'terre' which you likely already know as 'earth' or 'land'.

At the A2 level, you can start using enterrer in the passé composé to describe things that happened in the past. For example, 'Hier, nous avons enterré notre vieux chat' (Yesterday, we buried our old cat). This level introduces the emotional aspect of the word, as it is often used when a pet dies. You will also see it used with more diverse objects, like 'enterrer un trésor' (to bury a treasure) in adventure stories. You should be comfortable with the basic grammar: 'enterrer [quelque chose] dans [quelque part]'. You might also learn the opposite verb, 'déterrer' (to dig up), which is very common in the same contexts. At A2, you are building the foundation for more complex uses by mastering the physical mechanics and the basic past tense of the verb.

At the B1 level, you move into the metaphorical world of enterrer. This is where the word becomes truly interesting. You will learn common idioms like 'enterrer la hache de guerre' (to bury the hatchet) and 'enterrer sa vie de garçon' (to have a bachelor party). You will also hear it in news reports about politics, where a government might 'enterrer un projet de loi' (bury a bill). At this level, you should understand that 'enterrer' implies finality—when something is buried at the B1 level, it is usually meant to stay hidden or to be finished forever. You will also encounter the reflexive form 's'enterrer', meaning to isolate oneself, such as 'il s'est enterré à la campagne' (he buried himself in the countryside). This level requires you to recognize the context to determine if the burial is literal or figurative.

At the B2 level, enterrer is used with more nuance in professional and literary contexts. You will see it used to describe surviving someone ('enterrer ses parents') or the strategic hiding of information ('enterrer un scandale'). You should be able to distinguish 'enterrer' from its more formal synonym 'inhumer' (to inter) and its more specific synonym 'enfouir' (to bury deep/embed). You will also encounter the passive voice more frequently: 'Le rapport a été enterré par la direction' (The report was buried by management). At this stage, you should use 'enterrer' to express complex ideas about ending conflicts or hiding past mistakes. You are expected to understand the social weight of the word, especially in discussions about history, legacy, and the 'death' of ideas or movements.

At the C1 level, you explore the stylistic and poetic uses of enterrer. Authors use it to describe the 'burial' of memories, hopes, and entire eras. You will analyze texts where 'enterrer' represents the weight of the past or the inevitable passage of time. You should be able to use the word in sophisticated arguments, such as 'enterrer une idéologie' (burying an ideology). You will also learn more rare and specific collocations, and you'll be sensitive to the rhythm and tone the word brings to a sentence. In C1, you understand that 'enterrer' can be a violent act of suppression or a peaceful act of closure. Your ability to use it in the subjunctive or in complex hypothetical sentences ('Si nous avions enterré nos rancœurs plus tôt...') should be well-developed.

At the C2 level, enterrer is a tool for philosophical and high-level abstract discourse. You might discuss the 'enterrage' (burial/suppression) of collective memory or use the verb to describe the total eclipse of one theory by another. You have a native-like grasp of its every connotation, from the gritty reality of soil to the most ethereal concepts of oblivion. You can play with the word in wordplay or irony, and you understand its use in historical legal codes or ancient religious texts. At this level, 'enterrer' is no longer just a verb; it is a concept of finality, concealment, and survival that you can manipulate to express the finest shades of meaning in any register, from slang to the most elevated academic French.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

enterrer in 30 Seconds

Enterrer is a versatile French verb meaning 'to bury,' used for literal earth-moving and figurative hiding of secrets or projects.
It is a regular -er verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses, and typically uses the auxiliary 'avoir' in the past.
Key idioms include 'enterrer la hache de guerre' (bury the hatchet) and 'enterrer sa vie de garçon' (bachelor party).
Distinguish it from 'inhumer' (formal for people) and 'enfouir' (to bury deep or embed in any substance).

The French verb enterrer is a primary action verb that literally translates to 'to bury' in English. It is a first-group verb, ending in -er, which makes its conjugation predictable and stable across different tenses. At its core, the word is derived from the noun 'terre' (earth/ground), prefixed with 'en-' (into), signifying the act of putting something into the earth. While the most immediate association for many learners is the solemn context of a funeral, the word's utility extends far beyond the cemetery. In a literal sense, it describes common activities like a dog hiding a bone, a gardener planting a deep-rooted shrub, or a pirate hiding treasure. However, the true richness of enterrer lies in its figurative applications. In French culture and conversation, you will frequently hear this verb used to describe the act of forgetting, hiding, or terminating something. For instance, when a government decides to drop a controversial bill, they might 'enterrer le projet' (bury the project). Similarly, when two people decide to move past a long-standing feud, they 'enterrent la hache de guerre' (bury the war hatchet), a direct equivalent to the English idiom. It is also used to describe surviving someone; if a grandmother outlives her children, one might say 'elle a enterré ses propres enfants,' which carries a heavy, tragic weight. The versatility of the word allows it to shift between the physical world of soil and the abstract world of secrets and memories.

Physical Burial: The act of placing a body, object, or seed deep into the ground and covering it with soil.

Le vieux jardinier a décidé d' enterrer les déchets organiques pour enrichir le sol de son potager cet hiver.

Figurative Concealment: To hide information, a scandal, or a secret so deeply that it is unlikely to be discovered by the public or others.

L'entreprise a tout fait pour enterrer le rapport compromettant avant l'audit annuel.

Survival Context: To outlive someone, usually a family member or a contemporary, implying the person had to attend the other's funeral.

Il est triste de penser qu'elle a dû enterrer tous ses amis d'enfance.

Understanding the cultural nuance of 'enterrer' also involves recognizing its finality. Unlike 'cacher' (to hide), which implies something might be found later, 'enterrer' often suggests a permanent disposal or an ending. When a project is 'enterré,' it is not just paused; it is dead. This sense of permanence makes the word powerful in political and personal discourse. In literature, authors use it to evoke themes of memory, the passage of time, and the weight of the past. For a B1 learner, mastering 'enterrer' means being able to move from the concrete world of the garden to the more complex world of social and professional interactions where things are frequently 'buried' to maintain peace or hide failures.

Using enterrer correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature; it almost always takes a direct object—the thing or person being buried. Because it is a regular -er verb, it follows the standard conjugation patterns: 'j'enterre,' 'tu enterres,' 'il enterre,' 'nous enterrons,' 'vous enterrez,' and 'ils enterrent.' In the passé composé, it uses the auxiliary 'avoir' (e.g., 'j'ai enterré'). When constructing sentences, the preposition 'sous' (under) or 'dans' (in) is frequently used to specify the location of the burial. For example, 'Il a enterré le trésor sous le grand chêne' (He buried the treasure under the big oak). In figurative use, the object is often abstract: 'Elle a enterré ses rêves de devenir actrice' (She buried her dreams of becoming an actress). Another common structure involves the reflexive form 's'enterrer,' which means to bury oneself, often used metaphorically to mean isolating oneself in a remote place or a boring job. 'Il s'est enterré à la campagne' means he moved to the countryside and essentially disappeared from social life.

Direct Object Usage: The most common way to use the verb is by following it directly with the noun representing the person or object.

Les archéologues espèrent enterrer à nouveau les vestiges pour les protéger des intempéries.

Reflexive Form (S'enterrer): Used to describe someone who isolates themselves or settles into a monotonous, hidden existence.

Après son divorce, il a décidé de s'enterrer dans un petit village de montagne.

The Passive Voice: Often used in news reports to describe victims of natural disasters or historical figures.

Le village a été enterré sous une coulée de boue après les fortes pluies.

Furthermore, enterrer can be used in the infinitive after modal verbs like 'vouloir,' 'devoir,' or 'pouvoir.' For example, 'Nous devons enterrer nos différends pour avancer' (We must bury our differences to move forward). This highlights the verb's role in conflict resolution and maturity. In technical contexts, such as construction or telecommunications, you might hear about 'enterrer des câbles' (burying cables), which is a very common task in urban planning. The word remains neutral in these settings, focusing purely on the physical action of placing infrastructure below ground level. For learners, practicing the transition from literal to figurative usage is key. Try writing a sentence about a cat burying a toy, and then translate that same feeling of 'hiding forever' into a sentence about a secret or a failed business deal. This mental bridge will help solidify the word's meaning in your long-term memory.

You will encounter enterrer in a wide variety of social and professional settings in France. In the news, it is a staple of political journalism. When a controversial reform is withdrawn due to public pressure, headlines often read 'Le gouvernement enterre la réforme' (The government buries the reform). This usage suggests a quiet, often strategic, disposal of a problem. In a more somber context, the word is unavoidable during discussions of mortality and heritage. You will hear it in documentaries about history or archaeology, where experts discuss how ancient civilizations 'enterraient' their dead with precious objects. In the workplace, 'enterrer' might be used during brainstorming sessions or project reviews. A manager might say, 'On ne va pas enterrer cette idée tout de suite,' meaning they aren't ready to give up on the idea just yet.

In the Media: Used to describe the cancellation of laws, projects, or investigative reports.

Le journal a révélé une tentative d' enterrer l'affaire de corruption.

Social Contexts: Commonly heard in the phrase 'enterrer sa vie de garçon/jeune fille,' referring to pre-wedding celebrations.

Nous allons enterrer sa vie de garçon le week-end prochain à Lyon.

Historical/Scientific Context: Used by historians to describe burial rites and archaeological findings.

Les Égyptiens avaient pour coutume d' enterrer les pharaons avec leurs trésors.

Culturally, the act of 'enterrer sa vie de garçon' (literally: burying his bachelor life) is a fascinating look into French traditions. It signifies the 'death' of one's life as a single person before the 'rebirth' of marriage. During these parties, friends might literally bury a small coffin filled with symbols of the groom's single life, only to dig it up years later. This shows how deeply the concept of burial is woven into the French psyche as a symbol of transition. You will also hear the word in music and poetry, where it often rhymes with 'aimer' (to love) or 'oublier' (to forget), highlighting its emotional resonance. In everyday conversation, if someone is overwhelmed with work, they might say 'je suis enterré sous les dossiers' (I am buried under files), mimicking the English 'buried in work.' This idiom is very common in office environments and is an easy way for learners to sound more natural. Whether you are reading a somber obituary or planning a wild party, enterrer is a word that captures the essence of finality and the human desire to mark endings.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with enterrer is confusing it with its synonyms, particularly 'inhumer' and 'enfouir.' While 'enterrer' is the general term, 'inhumer' is strictly reserved for human beings and is used in formal, legal, or religious contexts. Using 'enterrer' for a person is not wrong, but using 'inhumer' for a dog or a treasure would be a significant error in register. Another common pitfall is the confusion with 'enfouir.' 'Enfouir' usually implies pushing something deep into something (not necessarily earth), like 'enfouir son visage dans ses mains' (burying one's face in one's hands). You cannot use 'enterrer' in that specific anatomical context.

Register Confusion: Using 'enterrer' in a very formal funeral oration might sound slightly too casual; 'inhumer' or 'rendre un dernier hommage' is preferred.

Incorrect: Le président a été enfoui hier. Correct: Le président a été inhumé hier.

Preposition Errors: Learners often forget that you bury something 'dans' (in) or 'sous' (under) the ground, but never 'à' the ground.

Correct: J'ai enterré mes clés dans le sable. Incorrect: J'ai enterré mes clés au sable.

False Friends and Literalism: Don't confuse 'enterrer' with 'interrer' (which doesn't exist) or 'entrer' (to enter).

Il a enterré (buried) son passé. Il est entré (entered) dans la pièce.

Another mistake is the misuse of 'enterrer' when 'cacher' (to hide) or 'dissimuler' (to conceal) is more appropriate. 'Enterrer' implies a level of permanence and depth. If you just put your phone under a pillow, you don't 'enterrer' it; you 'cacher' it. If you put it in a hole in the garden, then you 'enterrer' it. Finally, pay attention to the spelling. The double 'r' is essential. Many students write 'enterer,' which is incorrect and can lead to pronunciation errors. The double 'r' in French usually indicates a slightly more rolled or emphasized sound in certain dialects, though in standard Parisian French, it just affects the preceding vowel's length or the word's visual recognition. Always remember: 'en' + 'terre' + 'er' = 'enterrer'. If you remember the word for earth, you will never misspell the verb. By avoiding these common slips, your French will sound more precise and sophisticated.

To truly master enterrer, you must know the words that surround it in the semantic field of covering and concealing. The most formal alternative is 'inhumer,' which comes from the Latin 'humus' (soil). This is the word you will see in legal documents or hear during a formal funeral service. On the opposite side of the spectrum, 'enfouir' is used when something is pushed deep into a substance, like burying one's head in a pillow or burying nuclear waste. While 'enterrer' suggests a hole was dug, 'enfouir' suggests the object was pushed or submerged. Another related verb is 'noyer' (to drown), which is often used figuratively to mean 'burying' something under a mass of other things, such as 'noyer le poisson' (to drown the fish, meaning to cloud the issue).

Inhumer vs Enterrer: Inhumer is formal/medical/religious; Enterrer is common/everyday.

Le défunt sera inhumé au cimetière du Père-Lachaise.

Enfouir vs Enterrer: Enfouir implies deep insertion or hiding within something else; Enterrer is specifically 'in the earth'.

Elle a enfoui son visage dans ses mains pour pleurer.

Exhumer / Déterrer: These are the direct opposites. Exhumer is formal (unearth a body), while déterrer is common (dig up a bone or a secret).

La police a dû déterrer d'anciennes preuves pour rouvrir l'enquête.

Beyond these, 'dissimuler' is a great alternative for hiding emotions or facts. If you want to say someone is burying their feelings, you might say 'il dissimule sa tristesse.' However, if you want to emphasize that they are trying to forget those feelings forever, 'il enterre sa tristesse' is much more evocative. In technical fields, you might use 'encastrer' (to embed) or 'immerger' (to submerge). For instance, if you are talking about putting a safe into a wall, you 'encastrez le coffre-fort.' Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the exact right word for the situation. While enterrer is a versatile 'Swiss army knife' verb, knowing when to switch to 'inhumer' or 'enfouir' marks the difference between a functional speaker and a fluent one. As you progress, try to replace 'enterrer' with more specific synonyms in your writing to see how it changes the tone and precision of your sentences.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The phrase 'enterrer sa vie de garçon' dates back to the 19th century. In some regions of France, the groom's friends would actually bury a small box containing symbols of his bachelorhood, which would be dug up at the birth of his first child.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɑ̃.tɛ.ʁe/

US /ɑ̃.tɛ.re/

In French, stress is usually on the final syllable: en-ter-RER.

Rhymes With

aimer manger parler jouer oublier chanter donner penser

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'r' (it should be silent like in 'manger').
Not making the 'en' nasal enough (sounding like 'on' or 'in').
Confusing the pronunciation with 'entrer' (to enter).
Failing to pronounce the 'e' in the middle correctly (it should be an open 'eh' sound).
Over-rolling the 'r' like in Spanish.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the root 'terre' and similar English words like 'interment'.

Writing 3/5

The double 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Speaking 3/5

The nasal 'en' and the French 'r' require some practice.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Terre Jardin Mort Cacher Sous

Learn Next

Déterrer Inhumer Enfouir Exhumer Funérailles

Advanced

Obsèques Inhumation Sépulture Tertre Catacombes

Grammar to Know

Regular -er verb conjugation

Je chante, j'enterre.

Agreement of past participle with 'être'

Elle a été enterrée.

Reflexive verbs for state/isolation

Il s'enterre à la maison.

Prepositions of place (dans/sous)

Enterrer dans le jardin / sous la terre.

Nasal vowels (en)

Enfant, enterrer, encore.

Examples by Level

Le chien enterre son os dans le jardin.

The dog buries his bone in the garden.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

J'enterre une petite graine dans la terre.

I bury a small seed in the earth.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

Tu enterres ton jouet dans le sable ?

Are you burying your toy in the sand?

Interrogative sentence with 'tu'.

Nous enterrons les feuilles mortes.

We are burying the dead leaves.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Elle enterre son trésor sous l'arbre.

She buries her treasure under the tree.

Use of the preposition 'sous'.

Ils enterrent des pommes de terre.

They are burying potatoes.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

Le chat enterre quelque chose.

The cat is burying something.

Use of 'quelque chose' as an object.

Voulez-vous enterrer ce caillou ?

Do you want to bury this pebble?

Infinitive after 'vouloir'.

Mon grand-père a enterré une bouteille de vin en 1980.

My grandfather buried a bottle of wine in 1980.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Nous avons enterré notre lapin hier soir.

We buried our rabbit last night.

Emotional context of a pet's death.

Ils ont enterré les câbles électriques sous la rue.

They buried the electric cables under the street.

Technical use of the verb.

Elle n'a pas voulu enterrer ses souvenirs.

She did not want to bury her memories.

Negative construction in passé composé.

Est-ce que tu as enterré la clé du coffre ?

Did you bury the key to the safe?

Interrogative in passé composé.

Le pirate a enterré son or sur l'île.

The pirate buried his gold on the island.

Classic storytelling context.

Il a enterré sa tête dans le sable.

He buried his head in the sand.

Literal use of a common idiom.

On a enterré les vieux papiers pour les détruire.

We buried the old papers to destroy them.

Use of 'on' for 'we'.

Il est temps d'enterrer la hache de guerre entre nous.

It is time to bury the hatchet between us.

Idiomatic expression for peace.

Le gouvernement va enterrer ce projet de loi impopulaire.

The government is going to bury this unpopular bill.

Figurative use in politics.

Il s'est enterré dans son travail après sa rupture.

He buried himself in his work after his breakup.

Reflexive verb 's'enterrer'.

Ils vont enterrer sa vie de garçon samedi prochain.

They are going to have his bachelor party next Saturday.

Cultural idiom for a bachelor party.

Elle a dû enterrer ses rêves de voyage à cause de la crise.

She had to bury her travel dreams because of the crisis.

Figurative use for giving up hopes.

Ne laissez pas ce secret être enterré avec vous.

Don't let this secret be buried with you.

Passive infinitive construction.

Le scandale a été enterré par les médias locaux.

The scandal was buried by the local media.

Passive voice with 'être'.

Il a enterré son passé pour recommencer à zéro.

He buried his past to start over from scratch.

Metaphorical use for a fresh start.

La direction a décidé d'enterrer le rapport d'audit.

Management decided to bury the audit report.

Business context for suppression.

Elle a enterré trois maris au cours de sa longue vie.

She buried three husbands during her long life.

Usage meaning 'to outlive'.

Le village fut entièrement enterré sous la lave du volcan.

The village was entirely buried under the volcano's lava.

Passé simple (literary past tense).

Il s'enterre dans des détails inutiles au lieu d'avancer.

He is burying himself in useless details instead of moving forward.

Reflexive use for obsession.

Le criminel pensait avoir enterré toutes les preuves.

The criminal thought he had buried all the evidence.

Infinitive past 'avoir enterré'.

Nous ne pouvons pas enterrer ce problème sans le résoudre.

We cannot bury this problem without solving it.

Figurative use for ignoring issues.

L'écrivain a été enterré avec les honneurs nationaux.

The writer was buried with national honors.

Passive voice in a formal context.

Ils ont enterré leur différend pour le bien de l'entreprise.

They buried their disagreement for the good of the company.

Professional conflict resolution.

La mémoire de cet événement risque d'être enterrée par le temps.

The memory of this event risks being buried by time.

Abstract subject with 'risquer de'.

Il s'est enterré vivant dans cette administration poussiéreuse.

He buried himself alive in this dusty administration.

Metaphorical 'enterré vivant'.

L'affaire fut enterrée sous une montagne de procédures juridiques.

The case was buried under a mountain of legal procedures.

Hyperbolic figurative use.

Elle enterra sa douleur au plus profond d'elle-même.

She buried her pain deep within herself.

Literary use for emotional suppression.

Le projet fut enterré en première instance par le comité.

The project was buried in the first instance by the committee.

Formal administrative context.

Il est tragique d'enterrer ses propres enfants.

It is tragic to bury one's own children.

Infinitive used as a subject phrase.

Les vestiges furent enterrés pour éviter le pillage.

The remains were buried to avoid looting.

Purpose clause with 'pour'.

Cette loi enterre définitivement tout espoir de réforme.

This law definitively buries all hope for reform.

Strong figurative use for finality.

L'oubli finit toujours par enterrer les plus grandes gloires.

Oblivion always ends up burying the greatest glories.

Philosophical subject 'L'oubli'.

Il craignait que son œuvre ne fût enterrée prématurément.

He feared that his work might be buried prematurely.

Subjunctive imperfect after 'craindre'.

La modernité enterre les traditions sans aucun remords.

Modernity buries traditions without any remorse.

Personification of 'La modernité'.

S'enterrer dans le silence est parfois la seule défense.

Burying oneself in silence is sometimes the only defense.

Reflexive infinitive as a philosophical concept.

L'histoire a enterré les noms de ceux qui ont échoué.

History has buried the names of those who failed.

History as an active agent.

Elle a su enterrer ses rancunes pour atteindre la sagesse.

She knew how to bury her grudges to achieve wisdom.

Psychological growth context.

Le poète évoque la terre qui enterre et qui libère à la fois.

The poet evokes the earth that buries and releases at the same time.

Literary paradox.

On ne saurait enterrer la vérité indéfiniment.

One cannot bury the truth indefinitely.

Formal 'on ne saurait' for impossibility.

Common Collocations

Enterrer un mort

Enterrer un secret

Enterrer un projet

Enterrer le passé

Enterrer vivant

Enterrer sous la neige

Enterrer des câbles

Enterrer une affaire

Enterrer ses rêves

S'enterrer à la campagne

Common Phrases

Tout enterrer

— To get rid of or forget everything from a certain period.

Elle a décidé de tout enterrer et de partir.

Être enterré sous le travail

— To be overwhelmed with tasks.

Je ne peux pas sortir, je suis enterré sous le travail.

Enterrer ses illusions

— To give up on false hopes or naive beliefs.

L'échec lui a fait enterrer ses illusions.

Enterrer un dossier

— To stop working on a file or to hide it.

Le patron a enterré le dossier sur mon bureau.

Enterrer la rancune

— To let go of a grudge.

Nous devons enterrer la rancune pour rester amis.

Enterrer un trésor

— To hide something valuable in the earth.

Les enfants adorent enterrer des trésors.

Faire enterrer

— To have someone else bury something or someone.

Il a fait enterrer son vieux chien.

Vouloir enterrer

— To wish to hide or forget something.

Il veut enterrer cette partie de sa vie.

Aider à enterrer

— To assist in the act of burial or suppression.

Il m'a aidé à enterrer les déchets.

Prêt à enterrer

— Ready to move on from or hide something.

Je suis prêt à enterrer nos disputes.

Often Confused With

enterrer vs Entrer

Means 'to enter'. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

enterrer vs Enfouir

Means 'to bury deep' or 'to embed'. More specific than 'enterrer'.

enterrer vs Inhumer

The formal version for people only.

Idioms & Expressions

"Enterrer la hache de guerre"

— To make peace with an enemy or rival.

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

Standard

"Enterrer sa vie de garçon"

— To celebrate one's last days of being single before marriage (bachelor party).

On va enterrer sa vie de garçon ce week-end.

Informal

"Enterrer sa vie de jeune fille"

— To have a bachelorette party.

Elle enterre sa vie de jeune fille à Paris.

Informal

"Enterrer le morceau"

— To keep quiet about something (rare/old-fashioned).

Il a fallu enterrer le morceau pour ne pas faire de scandale.

Old-fashioned

"Enterrer sous les fleurs"

— To praise someone excessively to hide their faults or to soften a blow.

Il l'a enterré sous les fleurs avant de le licencier.

Literary

"S'enterrer tout vif"

— To lead a secluded life, as if dead to the world.

Elle s'est enterrée toute vive dans ce monastère.

Literary

"Enterrer un secret dans sa tombe"

— To never reveal a secret during one's lifetime.

Il a emporté et enterré ce secret dans sa tombe.

Standard

"Enterrer la musique"

— To stop playing or to finish a performance (specific context).

Il est temps d'enterrer la musique pour ce soir.

Informal

"Enterrer les morts"

— Used figuratively to mean moving on from past tragedies.

Laissez les morts enterrer leurs morts.

Biblical/Proverbial

"Enterrer ses talents"

— To waste one's abilities by not using them.

Ne va pas enterrer tes talents dans ce petit bureau.

Standard

Easily Confused

enterrer vs Enfouir

Both mean to put something inside something else.

'Enterrer' is specifically for earth/soil. 'Enfouir' can be in a bag, a pillow, or deep in the sea.

J'ai enfoui mon visage dans le coussin.

enterrer vs Cacher

Both involve making something invisible.

'Enterrer' implies putting it underground and often suggests permanence. 'Cacher' is just hiding.

Il a caché ses clés sous le paillasson.

enterrer vs Oublier

Figuratively, 'enterrer' leads to 'oublier'.

'Enterrer' is the action of putting it away; 'oublier' is the mental state of no longer remembering.

Il a enterré ses souvenirs pour les oublier.

enterrer vs Exhumer

It's the opposite but sounds similar.

Exhumer is to take out; Enterrer is to put in.

On a exhumé le corps.

enterrer vs Entrer

Visual and auditory similarity.

'Entrer' is an intransitive verb of movement (to enter); 'Enterrer' is a transitive action verb (to bury).

Il entre dans la maison.

Sentence Patterns

S + enterre + O

Le chien enterre l'os.

S + a enterré + O

J'ai enterré mon chat.

S + va enterrer + O

Le ministre va enterrer la loi.

S + s'enterre + dans + O

Il s'enterre dans son travail.

O + a été enterré + par + S

Le secret a été enterré par la famille.

S + enterra + O

Elle enterra son chagrin.

Il est [adj] d'enterrer + O

Il est difficile d'enterrer le passé.

S + ne saurait enterrer + O

On ne saurait enterrer la vérité.

Word Family

Nouns

Enterrement (m) - Funeral/Burial

Enterreur (m) - One who buries (rare)

Terre (f) - Earth/Ground

Terrain (m) - Ground/Field

Verbs

Déterrer - To dig up

Atterrir - To land

Terrasser - To floor/knock down

Inhumer - To inter (synonym)

Adjectives

Enterré - Buried

Terrestre - Terrestrial

Terreux - Earthy

Cimetière

Tombe

Fosse

Pelle

Sable

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written French.

Common Mistakes

Using 'enterrer' for hiding something in a pocket. → Cacher
'Enterrer' requires the ground or a deep substance. For a pocket, use 'cacher'.
Spelling it 'enterer'. → Enterrer
You must include the double 'r' from the root word 'terre'.
Pronouncing the final 'r'. → En-tè-ré
In -er verbs, the final 'r' is silent in the infinitive.
Using 'inhumer' for a bone. → Enterrer
'Inhumer' is only for people. For an object, use 'enterrer' or 'enfouir'.
Confusing with 'entrer'. → Enterrer
'Entrer' is to go in; 'enterrer' is to put in the ground.

Tips

Regular Verb

Don't overthink the conjugation! It follows the exact same pattern as 'parler'. If you know one, you know the other.

Double R

Always remember the double 'r'. Think of 'terre' (earth) which also has a double 'r'. If you forget, it's not 'enterrer'!

Formal Alternative

When writing a formal essay or a letter about a funeral, use 'inhumer' to sound more respectful and sophisticated.

Bachelor Parties

Use 'enterrer sa vie de garçon' to sound like a native when talking about weddings. It's much better than saying 'fête avant le mariage'.

Conflict

French people value 'enterrer la hache de guerre'. It's a powerful phrase to use when you want to resolve a disagreement.

The Root

Visualize the word 'terre' inside the verb. This will always remind you that the action involves the earth.

Permanence

Remember that 'enterrer' usually implies something is gone for a long time or forever, unlike 'cacher'.

Nasal Sounds

Practice the 'en' sound. It's the same as in 'enchanté'. Good nasals are the key to being understood.

Isolation

Use 's'enterrer' when someone is working too hard or living too far away. It adds a nice descriptive touch.

Opposites

Learn 'déterrer' at the same time. It's the perfect pair for 'enterrer' and you'll use it just as often.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'EN' (into) + 'TERRE' (earth) + 'ER' (verb ending). If you know 'terra' means earth in Latin or 'terre' in French, you just 'put it in the earth'.

Visual Association

Imagine a dog named 'Terry' (sounds like 'terre') who loves to bury bones in the garden. He is 'en-Terry-ing' his bone.

Word Web

Terre Enterrement Déterrer Cimetière Tombe Jardin Trésor Secret

Challenge

Try to use 'enterrer' in three different ways today: once for an object, once for a feeling, and once for a plan you cancelled.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French 'enterrer', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'interrare'. The word is a combination of 'in-' (into) and 'terra' (earth). It has been used in French since the 12th century.

Original meaning: To put into the earth.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

Be respectful when using this word in the context of funerals. Use 'inhumer' for more formal or sensitive situations.

The English idiom 'bury the hatchet' is a direct equivalent to 'enterrer la hache de guerre'.

The song 'Enterrez-moi sous le soleil' (Bury me under the sun). Victor Hugo's 'Les Misérables' features scenes of burial and hiding. The film 'Enterré vivant' (Buried Alive).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Gardening

Enterrer les graines
Enterrer le compost
Enterrer les racines
Profondeur pour enterrer

Funerals

Enterrer un proche
Se faire enterrer au cimetière
Enterrer les cendres
Le jour où on l'a enterré

Conflict Resolution

Enterrer la hache de guerre
Enterrer nos différends
Enterrer la rancune
Tout enterrer pour recommencer

Secrets/Information

Enterrer un scandale
Enterrer un rapport
Enterrer un secret
Enterrer la vérité

Business

Enterrer un projet
Enterrer une idée
Enterrer une réforme
Le dossier a été enterré

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu as déjà enterré une capsule temporelle ?"

"Pourquoi le gouvernement a-t-il décidé d'enterrer ce projet ?"

"Penses-tu qu'il est facile d'enterrer le passé ?"

"Où aimerais-tu être enterré un jour ?"

"Comment s'est passé l'enterrement de sa vie de garçon ?"

Journal Prompts

Écris sur un souvenir que tu aimerais enterrer pour toujours.

Imagine que tu enterres un trésor. Que mettrais-tu dedans et où le cacherais-tu ?

Décris une situation où tu as dû enterrer la hache de guerre avec un ami.

Penses-tu que l'on peut vraiment enterrer ses secrets dans la tombe ?

Raconte une histoire sur un archéologue qui déterre quelque chose qui aurait dû rester enterré.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'enterrer' is the most common word for burying a person. However, in a very formal or religious setting, 'inhumer' is preferred. For example, 'On a enterré mon oncle hier' is perfectly normal.

'Enterrer' always implies the ground or earth. 'Enfouir' is more general and means to push something deep into any substance, like burying your face in your hands or burying waste in a container.

Yes, it is the standard French term for a bachelor party. Even though people don't literally 'bury' their life, the phrase remains very popular.

It is a regular -er verb: j'enterrerai, tu enterreras, il enterrera, nous enterrerons, vous enterrerez, ils enterreront.

No. You can bury seeds (to grow them), cables (to use them), or treasure (to keep it safe). It just means putting something under the ground.

It usually means to isolate oneself or to live in a place where nothing happens. 'Il s'enterre à la campagne' means he is living a very quiet, isolated life.

Yes, it is very common in both formal and informal French to mean making peace.

Yes. 'Elle a enterré tous ses frères' means she lived longer than all her brothers and attended their funerals.

The noun is 'un enterrement', which means a burial or a funeral.

The double 'r' in the middle is pronounced, but the 'r' at the very end of the infinitive is silent.