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A2 verb #4,500 mais comum 9 min de leitura

cacher

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas cacher em 30 segundos

Explicação cacher in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'cacher' is primarily used to describe simple, physical actions. A beginner learns that 'cacher' means to put an object somewhere so it cannot be seen. You might use it when talking about toys, food, or yourself during a game. The most important thing at this level is learning the basic conjugation in the present tense: 'je cache', 'tu caches', 'il cache'. Beginners also learn the name of the popular game 'cache-cache' (hide-and-seek). You will mostly see it used with direct objects like 'le livre', 'le stylo', or 'le chat'. It's a very practical verb for describing your immediate surroundings and daily activities. You don't need to worry about complex figurative meanings yet; just focus on the idea of making things disappear from view. For example, 'Je cache le chocolat.' (I hide the chocolate.) This is a great verb to practice with physical objects around the house to build your vocabulary. Remember that the 'er' at the end sounds like 'ay' in English, and you don't pronounce the 's' in 'tu caches' or the 'nt' in 'ils cachent'. Keep it simple and focus on physical objects and locations like 'sous la table' (under the table) or 'dans le sac' (in the bag).

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'cacher' in more varied ways, including the reflexive form 'se cacher'. This is essential for describing people's movements and positions. You will learn to say things like 'L'enfant se cache derrière l'arbre' (The child is hiding behind the tree). You also begin to use the 'passé composé' to talk about things you have hidden in the past, such as 'J'ai caché les clés' (I hid the keys). At this level, you should also become aware of the preposition 'à' when hiding something from someone. This is a key difference from English. Instead of 'from', you use 'à' or indirect object pronouns like 'lui' or 'leur'. For example, 'Je lui cache la vérité' (I am hiding the truth from him/her). You might also start to use the word in simple social contexts, such as hiding a surprise or a small secret. The vocabulary around 'cacher' expands to include common locations and prepositions of place. You are moving beyond just physical objects to simple concepts like 'un secret' or 'une surprise'. Understanding the reflexive agreement in the past tense (e.g., 'elle s'est cachée') is also an important milestone for A2 learners using this verb.

As a B1 learner, you will use 'cacher' to express more complex ideas, particularly regarding emotions and social interactions. You move away from just physical hiding to the concealment of feelings like 'cacher sa tristesse' (to hide one's sadness) or 'cacher sa joie' (to hide one's joy). You will also encounter the verb in more varied tenses, such as the 'imparfait' to describe ongoing situations in the past: 'Il cachait toujours ses sentiments' (He always used to hide his feelings). You'll start to recognize common idioms like 'cacher son jeu' (to hide one's cards/intentions). This level requires a better grasp of the nuances between 'cacher' and its synonyms like 'dissimuler' or 'planquer'. You might use 'cacher' in a professional context to talk about 'des coûts cachés' (hidden costs) or in a more narrative way when telling stories. Your ability to use 'cacher' with various pronouns (e.g., 'Je ne peux pas vous le cacher') becomes more fluid. You also start to understand the passive use, where something 'est caché' by something else, like a building hidden by trees. This level is about adding depth and figurative meaning to the basic physical action you learned at earlier stages.

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At the B2 level, 'cacher' is used with a high degree of nuance and in more abstract contexts. you will use it to discuss social and political issues, such as 'cacher la vérité au public' (hiding the truth from the public). You are expected to handle the verb in complex grammatical structures, including the subjunctive: 'Il est important qu'il ne nous cache rien' (It is important that he hides nothing from us). You will also explore the word's role in literature and media, understanding how it can imply deception, mystery, or protection. You'll become familiar with more advanced expressions like 'l'arbre qui cache la forêt' (the tree that hides the forest/missing the big picture). At this stage, you should be able to distinguish between 'cacher' and more sophisticated verbs like 'occulter' or 'voiler' depending on the register and context. You might use 'cacher' to describe subtle social cues or complex psychological states. Your understanding of the word is now integrated with a broader cultural awareness of French 'pudeur' (discretion) and the importance of privacy. You can also use the noun form 'une cachette' (a hiding place) or 'un cachet' (a seal/stamp, though related differently) with confidence in various settings.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'cacher' reflects a deep understanding of stylistic choices and linguistic precision. You use the verb to create specific effects in writing and speech. You might use it to discuss philosophical concepts of the 'unseen' or 'the hidden' in art and existence. You will be comfortable using 'cacher' in very formal registers, perhaps opting for 'dissimuler' or 'occulter' to vary your vocabulary and match the tone of an academic essay or a high-level business report. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how they influence its current connotations. You can analyze how 'cacher' is used in classical French literature to reveal character motivations. Your mastery of the verb includes all its idiomatic and metaphorical extensions, and you can use them naturally in conversation. You might also explore the use of 'cacher' in legal or technical language, such as 'vices cachés' in property law. At this level, 'cacher' is not just a verb but a tool for expressing subtle layers of meaning, from the deliberate omission of facts to the poetic obscuring of a landscape in a literary description.

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For C2 learners, 'cacher' is a word whose every nuance is understood and utilized with native-like precision. You can use it in the most complex rhetorical structures, including the 'passé simple' or 'subjonctif plus-que-parfait' in literary contexts. You understand the subtle differences in meaning that 'cacher' takes on in different French-speaking regions and across different historical periods. You can discuss the word's role in psychoanalytic theory (the hidden self) or in political philosophy (the hidden hand of power). Your usage is effortless, whether you are using the slang 'planquer' in a casual setting or the most refined 'occulter' in a formal debate. You are aware of the word's appearance in famous quotes, songs, and films, and you can use these references to enrich your own communication. At this level, you can play with the word, using it ironically or in complex puns. You have a complete command of all related word families and can transition between 'cacher', 'cachette', 'cachotterie', and 'cachot' with perfect accuracy. The verb 'cacher' becomes a versatile instrument in your linguistic repertoire, allowing you to express the finest shades of concealment, revelation, and the multifaceted nature of truth.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

cacher em 30 segundos

Cacher is the primary French verb for 'to hide,' used for both physical objects and abstract concepts like secrets.
It is a regular -er verb, conjugated with 'avoir' in the passé composé, except in its reflexive form 'se cacher'.
A key grammatical rule is using the preposition 'à' when hiding something from someone: 'cacher quelque chose à quelqu'un'.
It features in the name of the popular children's game 'cache-cache' and several common French idioms about intentions.

The French verb cacher is a fundamental term that every learner must master as they transition from basic to intermediate proficiency. At its core, it means 'to hide' or 'to conceal.' However, its usage extends far beyond simply placing an object out of sight. In French culture and language, cacher encompasses a broad spectrum of actions, from the playful innocence of a child's game to the complex psychological act of suppressing one's true emotions or intentions.

Physical Concealment: This is the most direct use of the word. It involves placing a physical object in a location where it cannot be seen by others. For example, hiding a gift, hiding keys, or even hiding oneself during a game of hide-and-seek.

L'enfant a décidé de cacher ses jouets sous le lit pour ne pas avoir à les ranger.

Beyond the physical, cacher is frequently used in metaphorical and social contexts. When we talk about secrets, we use this verb to describe the act of keeping information from someone. This is where the grammatical construction cacher quelque chose à quelqu'un becomes vital. Unlike English, where you hide something 'from' someone, in French, you hide something 'to' someone (indirect object).

Emotional Suppression: French speakers often use cacher to describe the masking of feelings. Whether it is hiding sadness, joy, or surprise, the verb serves to illustrate the barrier between one's internal state and the external world.

Historically, the word derives from the Vulgar Latin coacticare, which meant to compress or force together. This origin hints at the effort involved in concealment—the act of squeezing something into a hidden space. Over centuries, this evolved into the modern French sense of making something invisible. In literature, cacher is often used to create suspense or to highlight the duality of human nature, where characters often 'cachent leur jeu' (hide their game/intentions) to achieve their goals.

Elle ne peut plus cacher sa déception face à cet échec cuisant.

In modern digital contexts, you might hear about 'fichiers cachés' (hidden files). This shows the verb's adaptability to technology. Whether you are dealing with a secret agent hiding a microphone or a teenager hiding a bad grade from their parents, cacher remains the essential verb for all things unseen. It is a versatile tool that allows speakers to navigate the nuances of privacy, deception, and playfulness in everyday French life.

Using cacher correctly requires an understanding of its transitive and reflexive forms. As a regular '-er' verb, its conjugation follows the most common pattern in French, making it relatively straightforward for learners at the A2 level. However, the syntax surrounding its objects is where many English speakers trip up.

The Transitive Structure: The basic structure is cacher [objet]. If you want to specify who you are hiding it from, use the preposition à.
Example: Je cache le cadeau à mon frère. (I am hiding the gift from my brother.)

Pourquoi as-tu voulu cacher la vérité à tes parents ?

The reflexive form, se cacher, is equally common. It means to hide oneself. It is often followed by a preposition of place like derrière (behind), sous (under), or dans (in). For example, Le chat se cache sous le canapé. (The cat is hiding under the sofa.) It can also be used figuratively to mean avoiding someone: Il se cache de ses créanciers. (He is hiding from his creditors.)

Tense Variations: In the passé composé, it uses 'avoir' (unless reflexive).
Active: J'ai caché les clés.
Reflexive: Je me suis caché. (Note the agreement if the subject is feminine: Elle s'est cachée.)

Another important usage is the passive-like sense of 'to be hidden.' While you can say est caché, French often prefers the reflexive or a descriptive approach. For instance, Le village se cache dans la vallée. (The village is tucked away/hidden in the valley.) This adds a poetic touch to descriptions of landscapes or locations.

Les nuages vont bientôt cacher le soleil.

Finally, consider the imperative form for games or urgent situations. 'Cache-toi !' (Hide yourself!) or 'Cachez cela !' (Hide that!). The flexibility of cacher allows it to fit into almost any sentence structure, provided you keep the 'à' preposition in mind for indirect objects and the 'être' auxiliary for reflexive past tenses.

In the real world, cacher is everywhere. If you are walking through a park in France, you will almost certainly hear children shouting about cache-cache. This is the French name for hide-and-seek, and it is a cultural touchstone. Parents might say, 'On joue à cache-cache ?' (Shall we play hide-and-seek?) or tell their children 'Ne te cache pas trop loin !' (Don't hide too far away!).

In the Media: News broadcasts frequently use the word when discussing scandals or 'hidden' truths. You might hear phrases like 'les coûts cachés' (hidden costs) or 'les intentions cachées' (hidden intentions) of a politician. It carries a weight of suspicion in these contexts.

Le journaliste a révélé ce que l'entreprise essayait de cacher depuis des années.

In French cinema, the concept of the 'hidden' is a recurring theme. The famous 2005 film titled Caché (Hidden), directed by Michael Haneke, uses the word to explore themes of surveillance and past guilt. In casual conversation, friends might use it when discussing gossip: 'Tu me caches quelque chose ?' (Are you hiding something from me?). It’s a common way to poke at someone who seems to be holding back information.

Daily Domestic Life: You'll hear it when people lose things. 'Où as-tu encore caché mes lunettes ?' (Where did you hide my glasses again?)—often said with a hint of playful frustration. It is also used when discussing home decor, like 'cacher les câbles' (hiding the cables) behind a desk.

Furthermore, in the world of fashion and makeup, products are often marketed with the promise to 'cacher les imperfections' (hide imperfections). The word is synonymous with the French value of 'discrétion'—the idea that not everything needs to be on display. Whether it's a hidden pocket in a jacket or a hidden garden in Paris, cacher evokes a sense of mystery and discovery that is deeply embedded in the French experience.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with cacher involves the preposition used for the person from whom something is hidden. In English, we say 'I hide it from you.' Naturally, learners want to translate this as Je le cache de toi. However, in French, the correct preposition is à. You must say Je te le cache or Je cache cela à mon ami.

Preposition Pitfalls: Wrong: Il cache son secret de sa femme.
Right: Il cache son secret à sa femme.

Il est inutile de cacher tes sentiments à ceux qui t'aiment.

Another common mistake is confusing cacher with ranger. While ranger means to 'put away' or 'tidy up,' cacher specifically implies making something invisible or difficult to find. If you tell someone you 'caché' your books when you simply put them on the shelf, they might think you've hidden them as a prank or for security reasons.

Reflexive Pronoun Omission: When you want to say 'I am hiding,' you cannot just say Je cache. This implies you are hiding an object. You must use the reflexive form: Je me cache. Without the 'me,' the sentence is incomplete.

Lastly, learners often struggle with the difference between cacher and its more formal synonym dissimuler. While they are often interchangeable, dissimuler is typically reserved for abstract things like intentions, emotions, or complex facts in a formal setting. Using dissimuler for a pair of socks would sound overly dramatic. Stick to cacher for everyday physical objects to avoid sounding unnaturally formal.

While cacher is the most versatile verb for hiding, French offers a rich palette of alternatives that provide more specific nuances. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker and better comprehend various registers of the language.

Dissimuler vs. Cacher: Dissimuler is more formal and often implies a conscious effort to mislead or disguise. You dissimulate a weapon or a feeling of hatred. It suggests a layer of complexity beyond just putting something out of sight.

L'espion doit cacher son identité, mais il doit aussi dissimuler ses émotions en public.

In informal settings, you will frequently encounter the slang term planquer. This is very common in spoken French and is roughly equivalent to 'to stash' or 'to hide' in a somewhat messy or secret way. For example, 'J'ai planqué les clés dans le tiroir.' It is widely used among friends but should be avoided in professional writing.

Masquer and Occulter: Masquer means 'to mask' or 'to cover up' (like using makeup to mask a blemish). Occulter is more technical or academic, often used for light being blocked or facts being obscured by a larger issue.

Finally, consider voiler, which literally means 'to veil.' It is used for things that are partially obscured, like the moon behind clouds or a truth that is only partially revealed. By choosing the right synonym, you can convey whether a concealment is playful (cacher), sneaky (planquer), deceptive (dissimuler), or purely physical (masquer).

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word 'cache' used in computing (like your browser cache) comes directly from this French verb, referring to a 'hidden' place where data is stored for quick access.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ka.ʃe/

US /kɑ.ʃeɪ/

Stress is even, though slightly more emphasis on the final syllable in French.

Rima com

marché aimé été chanté mangé joué donné passé

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the final 'r' (it is silent).
Confusing the sound with 'gâcher' (to waste).
Making the 'ch' sound like 'k' (it should be 'sh').
Pronouncing the 's' in 'tu caches'.
Pronouncing the 'nt' in 'ils cachent'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its frequency and regular conjugation.

Escrita 3/5

The main difficulty is remembering the 'à' preposition for indirect objects.

Expressão oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward as long as the final 'r' remains silent.

Audição 3/5

Can be confused with 'gâcher' or 'lâcher' in fast speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

chercher trouver sous derrière le secret

Aprenda a seguir

dissimuler masquer découvrir révéler la cachette

Avançado

occulter obnubiler camoufler subterfuge

Gramática essencial

Indirect Object Pronouns

Je lui cache la vérité. (I hide the truth from him/her.)

Reflexive Verbs in Passé Composé

Elle s'est cachée dans le placard. (She hid in the closet.)

Prepositions of Place

Le livre est caché derrière la lampe.

Agreement of Past Participle

Les clés que j'ai cachées sont ici. (Agreement with preceding direct object 'clés')

Negative Imperative

Ne te cache pas !

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Exemplos por nível

Je cache le livre sous le lit.

I hide the book under the bed.

Simple present tense with a direct object.

Où est le chat ? Il se cache !

Where is the cat? He is hiding!

Reflexive verb 'se cacher' in the present tense.

On joue à cache-cache ?

Are we playing hide-and-seek?

Common noun phrase 'cache-cache'.

Tu caches ton chocolat ?

Are you hiding your chocolate?

Second person singular present tense.

Le chien cache son os dans le jardin.

The dog hides his bone in the garden.

Third person singular with a possessive adjective.

Elle cache ses mains.

She hides her hands.

Plural direct object 'ses mains'.

Nous cachons les cadeaux pour maman.

We are hiding the gifts for mom.

First person plural present tense.

Ne cache pas ton visage.

Don't hide your face.

Negative imperative form.

Il s'est caché derrière le grand arbre.

He hid behind the big tree.

Passé composé with reflexive 'être'.

J'ai caché les clés de la voiture.

I hid the car keys.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Pourquoi caches-tu la vérité à ton ami ?

Why are you hiding the truth from your friend?

Use of 'à' for the person being hidden from.

Elle se cachait souvent dans le grenier.

She often used to hide in the attic.

Imparfait for a habitual action.

Ils ne peuvent pas cacher leur surprise.

They cannot hide their surprise.

Infinitive after the modal verb 'peuvent'.

Je vais cacher ce secret très longtemps.

I am going to hide this secret for a very long time.

Futur proche construction.

Vous cachez quelque chose dans votre poche ?

Are you hiding something in your pocket?

Formal 'vous' in the present tense.

Le petit garçon s'est caché les yeux.

The little boy covered/hid his eyes.

Reflexive with a body part.

Elle cachait sa tristesse avec un sourire.

She was hiding her sadness with a smile.

Figurative use of 'cacher' with emotions.

Le brouillard a fini par cacher toute la vallée.

The fog ended up hiding the whole valley.

Natural phenomenon as the subject.

Il ne faut rien cacher à son médecin.

One must not hide anything from one's doctor.

Impersonal 'il faut' with 'rien'.

Nous avons découvert une porte cachée dans le mur.

We discovered a hidden door in the wall.

'Cachée' used as an adjective.

Il cache son jeu pour gagner la partie.

He is hiding his cards/intentions to win the game.

Idiomatic expression 'cacher son jeu'.

Les nuages cachent le soleil aujourd'hui.

The clouds are hiding the sun today.

Common environmental description.

Elle se cache de tout le monde depuis hier.

She has been hiding from everyone since yesterday.

'Se cacher de' meaning to avoid social contact.

On ne peut pas cacher la réalité éternellement.

We cannot hide reality forever.

Abstract concept as a direct object.

Le gouvernement est accusé de cacher des informations.

The government is accused of hiding information.

Passive construction 'est accusé de'.

C'est l'arbre qui cache la forêt.

It's the tree that hides the forest.

Famous idiom for missing the big picture.

Elle n'a pas pu cacher son mépris lors de la réunion.

She couldn't hide her contempt during the meeting.

Nuanced emotion 'le mépris'.

Bien qu'il sourie, il cache une grande douleur.

Although he is smiling, he is hiding a great pain.

Complex sentence with 'bien que'.

Les détails techniques cachent parfois l'essentiel.

Technical details sometimes hide the essential.

Abstract subject and object.

Il a fallu cacher les preuves avant l'arrivée de la police.

It was necessary to hide the evidence before the police arrived.

Use of 'il a fallu' with 'cacher'.

Sa modestie cache un talent immense.

His modesty hides an immense talent.

Positive figurative use.

Il se cache derrière des excuses bidon.

He is hiding behind phony excuses.

Figurative 'se cacher derrière'.

L'auteur cherche à cacher ses intentions profondes.

The author seeks to hide his deep intentions.

Literary context.

Rien ne saurait cacher la gravité de la situation.

Nothing could hide the gravity of the situation.

Formal 'ne saurait' construction.

Il s'efforce de cacher son trouble devant elle.

He strives to hide his agitation in front of her.

Nuanced verb 's'efforcer de'.

La brume matinale cachait les contours de la ville.

The morning mist was hiding the contours of the city.

Descriptive, evocative language.

Il ne nous a rien caché de ses projets futurs.

He hid nothing of his future projects from us.

Negation with 'rien' and indirect object.

Elle a le don de cacher ses sentiments les plus intimes.

She has a gift for hiding her most intimate feelings.

Abstract, psychological depth.

Les archives cachent encore bien des mystères.

The archives still hide many mysteries.

Personification of 'les archives'.

Il se cache un véritable trésor sous cette apparence modeste.

A true treasure is hidden beneath this modest appearance.

Pronominal 'il se cache' (impersonal).

Nul ne peut cacher indéfiniment l'éclat de la vérité.

No one can indefinitely hide the brilliance of truth.

High literary style with 'nul'.

L'ombre portée venait cacher la moitié de son visage.

The cast shadow came to hide half of his face.

Precise artistic description.

Il se complaît à cacher ses motivations réelles.

He takes pleasure in hiding his real motivations.

Complex verb 'se complaire à'.

Le texte est parsemé d'allusions qu'il tente de cacher.

The text is peppered with allusions that he tries to hide.

Academic/Literary analysis.

Elle s'ingénie à cacher les failles de son raisonnement.

She exerts herself to hide the flaws in her reasoning.

Sophisticated verb 's'ingénier à'.

La forêt semblait cacher des secrets ancestraux.

The forest seemed to hide ancestral secrets.

Evocative, atmospheric usage.

Il ne saurait être question de cacher quoi que ce soit.

There can be no question of hiding anything whatsoever.

Fixed formal expression.

Sous le vernis de la politesse se cache une hostilité latente.

Beneath the veneer of politeness hides a latent hostility.

Metaphorical and structural complexity.

Colocações comuns

cacher la vérité

cacher son jeu

cacher ses émotions

cacher un secret

cacher la vue

cacher un défaut

cacher les preuves

cacher son identité

cacher son visage

cacher une surprise

Frases Comuns

Cache-cache

— The game of hide-and-seek. Played by children worldwide.

On joue à cache-cache dans le jardin ?

Rien à cacher

— To have nothing to hide; to be transparent.

Vous pouvez fouiller mon sac, je n'ai rien à cacher.

Cacher la forêt

— Referring to something small that prevents one from seeing the bigger picture.

C'est l'arbre qui cache la forêt dans cette affaire.

Se cacher de

— To avoid being seen by someone or to avoid a situation.

Il se cache de son patron car il est en retard.

Cacher son nom

— To remain anonymous.

L'auteur a préféré cacher son nom.

Cacher ses larmes

— To try not to show that one is crying.

Elle a tourné la tête pour cacher ses larmes.

Cacher le soleil

— To block the sun.

Les gratte-ciels cachent le soleil dans cette rue.

Cacher les faits

— To suppress the facts.

On l'accuse d'avoir voulu cacher les faits au public.

Cacher sa joie

— Often used ironically to mean someone is very happy but trying to look neutral.

Il ne cache pas sa joie après sa promotion.

Cacher un trésor

— To hide a treasure.

Les pirates ont caché leur trésor sur une île déserte.

Frequentemente confundido com

cacher vs gâcher

Means 'to waste' or 'to spoil'. Sounds similar but has a very different meaning.

cacher vs lâcher

Means 'to let go' or 'to release'. Be careful with the initial consonant sound.

cacher vs ranger

Means 'to tidy' or 'to put away'. Cacher implies specifically making something invisible.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Cacher son jeu"

— To hide one's true intentions or capabilities to gain an advantage.

Il a l'air inoffensif, mais il cache bien son jeu.

neutral

"C'est l'arbre qui cache la forêt"

— To focus on a small detail and miss the overall situation or problem.

Ne te focalise pas sur ce petit bug, c'est l'arbre qui cache la forêt.

neutral

"Se cacher derrière son petit doigt"

— To try to hide a problem with a very poor or obvious excuse.

Il essaie de nier sa faute, mais il se cache derrière son petit doigt.

informal

"Rien ne se cache sous le soleil"

— Everything eventually comes to light.

La vérité finira par sortir, rien ne se cache sous le soleil.

literary

"Cacher la poussière sous le tapis"

— To ignore a problem rather than solving it.

Ignorer ces dettes, c'est comme cacher la poussière sous le tapis.

neutral

"Ne pas cacher son drapeau"

— To openly show one's opinions or allegiances.

Il ne cache pas son drapeau politique.

neutral

"Vivre caché"

— From the proverb 'Pour vivre heureux, vivons cachés' (To live happily, live hidden).

Ils ont décidé de vivre cachés loin des médias.

literary

"Cacher son visage"

— To be ashamed of something.

Il a de quoi cacher son visage après ce qu'il a fait.

neutral

"Cacher sa chandelle sous le boisseau"

— To hide one's talents or qualities.

Tu es très doué, ne cache pas ta chandelle sous le boisseau.

literary

"Un vice caché"

— A hidden defect in a product or property.

La voiture avait un vice caché au niveau du moteur.

legal

Fácil de confundir

cacher vs masquer

Both involve concealment.

Masquer usually implies covering the surface of something, while cacher can mean putting it away entirely.

Elle masque ses boutons avec du fond de teint.

cacher vs dissimuler

Synonyms for hiding information.

Dissimuler is more intentional and formal, often used for secrets or weapons.

Il dissimule un couteau sous sa veste.

cacher vs planquer

Synonyms in casual speech.

Planquer is informal/slang and suggests stashing something in a secret spot.

Où as-tu planqué la télécommande ?

cacher vs occulter

Used for hiding facts.

Occulter is technical or formal, often used for blocking light or obscuring large truths.

Le nuage occulte la vue.

cacher vs étouffer

Used for hiding things like scandals.

Étouffer literally means 'to smother' and is used figuratively for suppressing news.

Ils veulent étouffer le scandale.

Padrões de frases

S + cache + O

Marie cache le stylo.

S + se cache + Prep + O

Le chien se cache sous la table.

S + cache + O + à + P

Je cache le secret à mon frère.

S + ne peut pas + cacher + O

Il ne peut pas cacher sa joie.

S + a caché + O

J'ai caché les clés.

S + se cache + derrière + O (figurative)

Il se cache derrière des mensonges.

Nul ne + peut + cacher + O

Nul ne peut cacher la vérité.

Il se cache + O + sous + N

Il se cache un grand talent sous sa timidité.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

une cachette (hiding place)

une cache (hiding spot/cache)

un cachot (dungeon)

une cachotterie (secretive behavior)

Verbos

recacher (to hide again)

Adjetivos

caché (hidden)

cachottier (secretive - person)

Relacionado

le camouflage

dissimulateur

occultation

invisible

discret

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Como usar

frequency

Very high in daily speech, literature, and media.

Erros comuns

Je cache de mon ami. → Je cache à mon ami.
In French, you hide something 'to' someone, not 'from' them. The preposition 'à' is mandatory for the person.
Je suis caché les clés. → J'ai caché les clés.
The non-reflexive verb 'cacher' uses 'avoir' in the passé composé. 'Être' is only for the reflexive 'se cacher'.
Il se cache le livre. → Il cache le livre.
If you are hiding an object, do not use the reflexive 'se'. 'Se cacher' means you are hiding yourself.
Je cache mon tristesse. → Je cache ma tristesse.
'Tristesse' is feminine, so use 'ma' instead of 'mon'. This is a general gender agreement error often seen with 'cacher'.
Ils cachent (pronounced with 'ent'). → Ils cachent (pronounced /kaʃ/).
The -ent ending of third-person plural verbs in the present tense is always silent in French.

Dicas

The 'à' Rule

Always remember to hide something 'à' someone. This is the most common mistake for English speakers. Practice saying 'Je lui cache' instead of 'Je cache de lui'.

Learn the Family

Learning 'une cachette' (a hiding place) along with the verb will help you describe situations more fully, especially when talking about games or secrets.

Discretion is Key

In France, 'cacher' isn't always negative. It's often associated with 'discretion', a valued trait. Don't assume someone is being dishonest just because they 'cachent' something personal.

Silent Endings

Focus on the fact that 'cache', 'caches', and 'cachent' all sound the same. This is common in -er verbs and helps simplify your speaking once you get used to it.

Physical vs. Abstract

Use 'cacher' for physical objects and 'dissimuler' for abstract ones if you want to sound more formal. For friends, 'planquer' is a great way to sound more natural.

Play Cache-cache

A great way to learn prepositions of place is to play hide-and-seek and describe where things are: 'Le livre est caché derrière...', 'Le chat est caché sous...'

Identify Hidden Fees

Keep an eye out for 'frais cachés' when shopping in French. It's a very practical phrase for real-world situations like booking travel or buying a phone.

The 'Cache' Connection

Connect 'cacher' to 'cache memory' in your computer. It’s data that is hidden away for later use. This makes the word instantly familiar.

Adjective Agreement

When using 'caché' as an adjective, remember it must agree with the noun: 'une porte cachée', 'des secrets cachés'.

Reflexive Clarity

When you say 'Je me cache', make sure the 'me' is clear so people know you are hiding yourself and not an object.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'cache' of gold. You 'cache' (hide) your gold in a secret 'cache'.

Associação visual

Imagine a large 'C' shaped blanket 'caching' (covering) a treasure chest.

Word Web

secret invisible derrière sous vérité cache-cache planquer masquer

Desafio

Try to find five things in your room you could cacher and say where you would cacher them in French using 'Je cacherais... sous/dans/derrière...'

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Old French 'cacher', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'coacticare' meaning 'to press together' or 'to force'.

Significado original: To squeeze or compress something into a small space to make it disappear.

Romance (Indo-European).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'cacher' regarding people; it can sometimes imply someone is being sneaky or dishonest if used in the wrong context.

In English, 'to hide' is often followed by 'from', but learners must remember the French 'à' for people.

'Caché' (2005 film by Michael Haneke) 'Le Cache-cache' (popular children's game) Proverb: 'C'est l'arbre qui cache la forêt'.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Games

Tu comptes, je me cache.
Trouvé !
C'est une bonne cachette.
On joue à cache-cache ?

Secrets

Je ne te cache rien.
Il me cache la vérité.
C'est un secret bien caché.
Ne me cache pas tes sentiments.

Domestic life

Où as-tu caché les clés ?
Cache ça sous le lit.
Il faut cacher les fils électriques.
Le chat se cache.

Nature/Weather

Les nuages cachent le soleil.
La brume cache la montagne.
Le village est caché dans les bois.
La lune se cache.

Crime/Scandals

Cacher les preuves.
Cacher son identité.
Des coûts cachés.
Dissimuler un vol.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Où est-ce que tu te cachais quand tu étais petit et que tu jouais à cache-cache ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses qu'il est parfois nécessaire de cacher la vérité ?"

"As-tu déjà caché un cadeau tellement bien que tu ne l'as plus retrouvé ?"

"Qu'est-ce que tu aimerais cacher au monde entier si tu le pouvais ?"

"Est-ce que tu es doué pour cacher tes émotions quand tu es en colère ?"

Temas para diário

Décris une fois où tu as dû cacher un grand secret à un ami proche. Était-ce difficile ?

Imagine que tu trouves une pièce cachée dans ta maison. Qu'est-ce qu'il y a à l'intérieur ?

Pourquoi est-ce que les gens choisissent parfois de cacher leur véritable identité sur Internet ?

Écris sur un souvenir d'enfance lié au jeu de cache-cache.

Penses-tu que la technologie nous aide à cacher des choses ou qu'elle rend tout plus visible ?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, 'cacher' is a regular -er verb. It follows the standard conjugation patterns for the first group of French verbs, making it easy to learn once you know the basic endings like -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent.

In French, you use the preposition 'à'. For example, 'I hide the truth from my mother' is 'Je cache la vérité à ma mère'. Do not use 'de' as you would in English.

'Cacher' is used when you hide an object (e.g., 'Je cache les clés'). 'Se cacher' is reflexive and used when you hide yourself (e.g., 'Je me cache derrière le rideau').

Yes, the past participle 'caché' can function as an adjective meaning 'hidden'. For example, 'un trésor caché' (a hidden treasure) or 'des frais cachés' (hidden fees).

This is a common idiom meaning to hide one's true intentions or to be secretive about one's plans to gain an advantage, similar to 'keeping one's cards close to one's chest'.

Absolutely. It is very common to say 'cacher sa tristesse' (hide one's sadness) or 'cacher sa joie' (hide one's joy). It implies a conscious effort to not show how you feel.

It's not exactly rude, but it is very informal (slang). You should use it with friends or family, but avoid it in professional or formal writing where 'cacher' or 'dissimuler' is better.

The 'ent' ending is silent. It is pronounced exactly like 'il cache' or 'je cache': /kaʃ/. The plural is only identifiable through the subject pronoun 'ils'.

'Cache-cache' is the French name for the game hide-and-seek. It is a compound noun formed by repeating the verb stem.

Only in its reflexive form. 'J'ai caché' (I hid something) vs. 'Je me suis caché' (I hid myself). In the reflexive form, the auxiliary is always 'être'.

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