Esta página no seu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

中文

हिन्दी

B2 verb #6,000 mais comum 8 min de leitura

pécher

Top 6,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas pécher em 30 segundos

Explicação pécher in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word 'pécher'. It is a bit too complex. However, you might hear it in very simple religious contexts if you visit a church. You should mainly focus on the difference between 'pécher' (to sin) and 'pêcher' (to fish). At this stage, just remember that if someone says they 'péché', they did something 'bad' or 'wrong' according to a rule. You won't use it in daily conversation yet. You will mostly use 'faire une bêtise' (to do something silly) or 'faire une erreur' (to make a mistake).

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the A2 level, you might encounter 'pécher' in stories or movies. You should recognize that it relates to 'le péché' (the sin). You might see it in a sentence like 'Il ne faut pas pécher'. The most important thing for an A2 student is to not confuse it with 'pêcher' (to fish). If you see 'é', think of a bad action. If you see 'ê', think of a fish. You might also start to see the noun 'un pécheur' (a sinner) and 'un pêcheur' (a fisherman). It's a good word to know for reading comprehension, but you don't need to use it in your own speaking yet.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B1 level, you should start understanding the metaphorical use of 'pécher'. You might hear someone say 'Il pèche par excès de...' (He fails by having too much of...). This is a common way to describe a personality flaw. You should be able to recognize it in news articles or more formal discussions. You should also be comfortable with the conjugation in the present tense (je pèche, tu pèches, etc.). You are starting to see that French uses religious words to describe non-religious mistakes, which is a key part of moving toward more advanced French.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'pécher' in your own writing and speaking to add nuance. Instead of saying 'Ce plan est mauvais', you can say 'Ce plan pèche par son manque de réalisme'. This shows you understand the 'pécher par...' structure. You should also know the difference between 'pécher contre' (to sin against a rule) and 'pécher par' (to fail due to a quality). You should be able to use it in the 'passé composé' (j'ai péché) and understand its use in literary texts. This word helps you sound more like a native speaker who can analyze situations critically.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the stylistic weight of 'pécher'. You can use it to discuss complex moral dilemmas or to critique philosophical arguments. You should be familiar with the 'Confiteor' and how those religious structures influence modern secular speech. You can use 'pécher' in the subjunctive or conditional to express subtle doubts. You also understand the related word 'impeccable' (literally 'without sin') and how it fits into the word family. Your usage should be precise, distinguishing between a technical error and a 'péché' of logic or character.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C2 level, you master the full range of 'pécher'. You can use it ironically, poetically, or in highly technical theological and legal discussions. You understand the etymological roots (Latin 'peccare') and how this word has shaped French thought. You can spot the difference between 'pécher par omission' and 'pécher par commission' in formal ethics. You use the word to provide a sophisticated critique of art, politics, or human nature. For you, 'pécher' is a versatile tool for describing the inherent imperfections of any system or person with elegance and precision.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

pécher em 30 segundos

Pécher means to sin or to commit a moral offense, stemming from religious roots.
In modern French, it often describes a specific flaw using 'pécher par' (to fail by).
It is a homophone of 'pêcher' (to fish), distinguished by the acute accent (é).
Commonly used in formal critiques of logic, character, or professional work.

The French verb pécher is a word deeply rooted in moral and religious contexts, but it has evolved to find a significant place in everyday metaphorical language. At its most literal level, it means to commit a sin, specifically an act that violates a religious law or a moral principle. However, for a B2 learner, understanding pécher requires looking beyond the pulpit. In modern French, it is frequently used to describe a failure or a shortcoming in a specific area, often expressed through the construction pécher par... (to fail due to...).

Religious Context: In a theological sense, it refers to the transgression of divine law. It is the act of the 'pécheur' (sinner). While France is a secular society, the linguistic heritage of Catholicism means this word remains the standard term for moral failings in a spiritual sense.
Metaphorical Shortcoming: This is perhaps the most common use in professional or analytical French. If a project fails because it was too ambitious, one might say 'le projet a péché par excès d'ambition'. Here, it means 'to be at fault' or 'to have a weakness'.

Même les plus grands saints peuvent pécher par orgueil dans un moment de faiblesse.

One cannot discuss pécher without mentioning its homophone: pêcher (to fish). The only difference in writing is the accent: the acute accent (é) for sinning, and the circumflex accent (ê) for fishing. In speech, the distinction is subtle—the 'é' in pécher is a closed 'e' /pe.ʃe/, while the 'ê' in pêcher is often more open /pɛ.ʃe/, though this varies by regional accent. Misusing these can lead to humorous results, like 'fishing' against God or 'sinning' in a lake.

Son argumentation pèche par manque de preuves concrètes.

Formal Usage: In formal writing, 'pécher' is used to identify the specific point of failure in a logic, a system, or a character. It is more sophisticated than 'faire une erreur'.

In summary, while the word has a heavy religious origin, its utility in the 21st century lies in its ability to pinpoint flaws with precision. Whether you are discussing a character in a novel or a flaw in a business strategy, pécher provides a nuance of 'falling short' of an ideal standard.

Using pécher correctly involves mastering its specific prepositional structures. Unlike the English 'to sin', which is often used intransitively, the French pécher frequently takes an object or a qualifying phrase to explain the nature of the fault.

Structure: Pécher contre: This is used when the sin is directed against a person, a rule, or a deity. 'Pécher contre la loi' (To sin against the law).
Structure: Pécher par [Nom]: This indicates the 'instrument' or the 'reason' of the failing. Common examples include 'pécher par omission' (sinning by leaving something out) or 'pécher par naïveté' (failing due to naivety).

L'entraîneur a reconnu avoir péché par excès de confiance avant le match.

The verb follows the standard first-group (-er) conjugation. However, because it is a B2-level word, you will often see it in the subjunctive or the conditional to express hypothetical failings or critiques. For instance, 'Il se peut qu'il pèche encore par orgueil' (It's possible he is still failing through pride).

Si nous péchons, nous devons en assumer les conséquences morales.

When describing a thing (like a plan, a book, or a movie) rather than a person, pécher takes on the meaning of 'to be flawed'. 'Ce film pèche par sa longueur' means the film's main flaw is that it is too long. This is a very elegant way to criticize something in French without being overly aggressive.

Negative Construction: 'Ne pas pécher' is often used to praise someone's balance or perfection. 'Son style ne pèche jamais par lourdeur' (His style never suffers from being heavy/clunky).

You might think pécher is confined to old stone churches, but it is surprisingly active in several modern domains. Knowing where to expect it will help you decipher the speaker's intent.

Literary and Philosophical Debates: French culture values intellectual rigor. In debates, you'll hear critics say a theory 'pèche par sa base' (is flawed at its foundation). It suggests a fundamental moral or logical error.
Political Commentary: Journalists often use it to describe a politician's misstep. 'Le ministre a péché par arrogance' is a common headline, implying the politician's downfall was caused by their own character flaw.

Dans son dernier essai, l'auteur pèche par un optimisme un peu trop naïf.

In the context of the Catholic Church, you will hear it during the 'Confiteor' (the prayer of confession): 'J'ai beaucoup péché, en pensée, en parole, par action et par omission.' This phrase is so culturally ingrained that many French people—even non-religious ones—know the structure 'pécher par...' by heart.

Interestingly, you will also find it in legal or ethical discussions. When someone 'pèche contre la déontologie' (sins/fails against professional ethics), it implies a serious breach of trust that goes beyond a simple technical error.

À vouloir trop bien faire, on finit souvent par pécher par excès de zèle.

The verb pécher is a minefield for learners due to its phonetic twin and its specific grammatical requirements. Here are the most frequent errors to avoid.

The Accent Trap: Mixing up 'pécher' (to sin) and 'pêcher' (to fish). Remember: the 'accent aigu' (é) in 'pécher' looks like a little flame (sin/hell), while the 'accent circonflexe' (ê) in 'pêcher' looks like a little hat or a tent (fishing/outdoors).
Preposition Confusion: Learners often try to use 'de' after 'pécher'. It is almost always 'pécher par' (to sin by/through) or 'pécher contre' (to sin against). Writing 'Il pèche de paresse' is incorrect; it should be 'Il pèche par paresse'.

Attention : On ne dit pas 'Il a pêché contre Dieu' (sauf s'il utilise une canne à pêche !). On dit 'Il a péché'.

Another mistake is overusing the word. While pécher is great for B2 level, it carries a certain weight. If you just made a small typo, don't say 'J'ai péché'. Use 'J'ai fait une faute' or 'Je me suis trompé'. Save pécher for moral failings or fundamental flaws in a system.

Finally, watch out for the noun forms. 'Le péché' is the sin, but 'le pêcher' is a peach tree. This is another layer of homophones that can confuse even advanced students. 'Il a mangé un péché' would mean he ate a sin, which is nonsensical!

To truly master pécher, you must understand its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. French has a rich vocabulary for failure and transgression.

Transgresser vs. Pécher: 'Transgresser' is more legalistic and active. You transgress a law or a boundary. 'Pécher' is more about the internal state or the moral quality of the act.
Faillir vs. Pécher: 'Faillir' means to fail or to come close to doing something. 'Pécher' implies a deeper, often repetitive flaw in character or logic.
Manquer à vs. Pécher: 'Manquer à son devoir' (to fail in one's duty) is a direct alternative to 'pécher par omission'. 'Manquer' is more neutral, while 'pécher' adds a layer of criticism.

Au lieu de dire 'il fait une erreur', un écrivain dira 'il pèche par manque de rigueur'.

In a secular context, if you want to avoid the religious connotations of pécher, you can use faire défaut. For example, 'La clarté fait défaut à ce discours' (The speech lacks clarity) instead of 'Ce discours pèche par son manque de clarté'. However, using pécher shows a higher command of stylistic French.

Lastly, consider 'offenser'. While 'pécher contre quelqu'un' is possible, 'offenser quelqu'un' is the standard way to say you've hurt someone's feelings or dignity. 'Pécher' is usually reserved for higher principles.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word 'impeccable' comes from the same root. 'Im-' (not) + 'peccare' (to sin). So something impeccable is literally something that cannot sin or has no fault.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /pe.ʃe/

US /pe.ʃe/

In French, the stress is usually on the last syllable: pe-CHÉ.

Rima com

marcher chercher toucher coucher clocher pêcher cocher rocher

Erros comuns

Pronouncing it like 'pêcher' (fishing) with an open 'ê' sound.
Pronouncing the final 'r'. In -er verbs, the 'r' is silent.
Confusing the 'ch' with a 'k' sound (like in 'chaos').
Making the first 'e' too short or neutral like a schwa.
Adding a 'y' sound at the end (pe-shay).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Easy to recognize, but must distinguish from 'pêcher'.

Escrita 4/5

Requires knowledge of 'par' vs 'contre' prepositions.

Expressão oral 4/5

Subtle pronunciation difference with 'pêcher' is tricky.

Audição 4/5

Context is key to distinguishing it from 'fishing' in fast speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

le péché une faute mal Dieu la loi

Aprenda a seguir

impeccable transgresser rédemption absolution faillibilité

Avançado

concupiscence déontologie herméneutique ontologie casuistique

Gramática essencial

First-group verb conjugation (-er)

Je pèche, nous péchons.

Prepositional use of 'par' for cause

Pécher par orgueil.

Prepositional use of 'contre' for target

Pécher contre la loi.

Subjunctive after expressions of possibility

Il est possible qu'il pèche.

Difference between 'é' and 'ê' homophones

Pécher (sin) vs Pêcher (fish).

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

Il ne faut pas pécher.

One must not sin.

Infinitive after 'il faut'.

C'est mal de pécher.

It is bad to sin.

Infinitive used as a subject complement.

Il a péché.

He sinned.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Est-ce que tu pèches ?

Do you sin?

Present tense, second person singular.

Nous ne voulons pas pécher.

We do not want to sin.

Negative construction with 'vouloir'.

Pécher est humain.

To sin is human.

Infinitive as a noun.

Elle a peur de pécher.

She is afraid of sinning.

Infinitive after 'peur de'.

Ils pèchent souvent.

They sin often.

Present tense, third person plural.

Le petit garçon a péché par gourmandise.

The little boy sinned through gluttony.

Introduction of 'pécher par'.

Le prêtre dit qu'il ne faut pas pécher.

The priest says one must not sin.

Indirect speech.

Elle a péché en mentant à sa mère.

She sinned by lying to her mother.

Gerund 'en mentant'.

Ils ont péché contre la religion.

They sinned against the religion.

Preposition 'contre'.

Si tu pèches, tu dois demander pardon.

If you sin, you must ask for forgiveness.

Conditional 'si' clause.

Mon ami pèche par paresse.

My friend fails through laziness.

Metaphorical use.

Nous avons tous péché un jour.

We have all sinned one day.

Use of 'tous'.

Il ne veut plus pécher.

He doesn't want to sin anymore.

Negative 'ne... plus'.

Ce film pèche par un scénario trop simple.

This movie fails due to a too simple script.

Applying 'pécher' to an object.

L'entreprise pèche par manque de communication.

The company fails due to lack of communication.

Business context.

Il pèche souvent par orgueil.

He often fails through pride.

Common personality trait.

Vous pèchez par excès de prudence.

You are failing through excessive caution.

Formal address 'vous'.

Elle pèche contre le bon sens.

She sins against common sense.

Abstract 'contre'.

Le projet a péché par manque de budget.

The project failed due to lack of budget.

Project management context.

Ils pèchent par ignorance des règles.

They fail through ignorance of the rules.

Plural subject.

Je pèche parfois par gourmandise.

I sometimes fail through gluttony.

First person singular.

L'argumentation du député pèche par manque de cohérence.

The deputy's argument fails due to a lack of coherence.

Formal critique.

Il est rare qu'il pèche par méchanceté.

It is rare that he fails through malice.

Subjunctive after 'il est rare que'.

Le système pèche par sa complexité excessive.

The system is flawed because of its excessive complexity.

Describing a system.

On ne peut pas lui reprocher de pécher par paresse.

One cannot blame him for failing through laziness.

Infinitive after 'reprocher de'.

L'auteur pèche par un style trop lourd.

The author fails due to a too heavy style.

Literary criticism.

Elle a péché par omission en ne disant pas toute la vérité.

She sinned by omission by not telling the whole truth.

Specific idiom 'pécher par omission'.

Bien qu'il soit compétent, il pèche par arrogance.

Although he is competent, he fails through arrogance.

Concession with 'bien que'.

Le gouvernement pèche par une vision à court terme.

The government fails due to a short-term vision.

Political analysis.

Cette théorie pèche par un réductionnisme flagrant.

This theory is flawed due to blatant reductionism.

Academic vocabulary.

Il pèche par une volonté de puissance mal placée.

He fails through a misplaced will to power.

Philosophical nuance.

L'œuvre pèche par une certaine complaisance envers le sujet.

The work fails due to a certain indulgence toward the subject.

Art criticism.

On pèche souvent par manque de recul sur ses propres actions.

One often fails through a lack of perspective on one's own actions.

Impersonal 'on'.

Le traité pèche par des imprécisions juridiques majeures.

The treaty is flawed due to major legal inaccuracies.

Legal context.

Il ne faudrait pas pécher par optimisme dans cette crise.

One should not fail through optimism in this crisis.

Conditional for advice.

Sa démonstration pèche par une pétition de principe.

His demonstration fails due to a circular argument.

Logical fallacy term.

Ils ont péché par une méconnaissance totale du terrain.

They failed through a total lack of knowledge of the field.

Noun 'méconnaissance'.

L'ontologie de ce penseur pèche par une approche dualiste obsolète.

This thinker's ontology is flawed due to an obsolete dualistic approach.

Highly specialized terminology.

Le texte pèche par une prolixité qui nuit à sa clarté.

The text fails due to a verbosity that harms its clarity.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'prolixité'.

C'est dans l'application de la loi que l'administration pèche le plus.

It is in the application of the law that the administration fails the most.

Cleft sentence structure.

L'édifice intellectuel pèche par ses fondations mêmes.

The intellectual edifice is flawed at its very foundations.

Metaphorical 'édifice'.

On pèche par excès de zèle quand on oublie l'essentiel.

One fails through overzealousness when one forgets the essential.

Idiom 'excès de zèle'.

L'herméneutique proposée pèche par un manque de rigueur historique.

The proposed hermeneutics is flawed due to a lack of historical rigor.

Academic 'herméneutique'.

Elle pèche par une forme de dandyisme intellectuel.

She fails through a form of intellectual dandyism.

Cultural nuance.

Le récit pèche par une structure narrative décousue.

The story fails due to a disjointed narrative structure.

Literary analysis 'décousue'.

Colocações comuns

pécher par excès de

pécher par manque de

pécher par omission

pécher contre

pécher gravement

pécher par orgueil

pécher par naïveté

pécher par gourmandise

pécher par imprudence

pécher par ambition

Frases Comuns

Qui aime bien châtie bien, mais sans pécher.

— He who loves well punishes well, but without sinning. A variation on a common proverb.

Il est strict, mais il ne veut pas pécher par cruauté.

Pécher en pensée

— To sin in one's thoughts. Refers to internal moral failings.

Il est possible de pécher en pensée sans jamais agir.

Pécher devant Dieu

— To sin before God. A purely religious expression.

Il craint de pécher devant Dieu.

Pécher par ignorance

— To fail because one did not know better. A common excuse.

On peut lui pardonner, car il a péché par ignorance.

Ne pas pécher par modestie

— To not be modest (often used ironically for someone arrogant).

On peut dire qu'il ne pèche pas par modestie !

Pécher par habitude

— To sin or fail out of habit. Implies a repetitive flaw.

Il pèche par habitude de mentir.

Pécher contre l'esprit

— To sin against the spirit or logic. Used in intellectual contexts.

Cette conclusion pèche contre l'esprit du texte.

Pécher par faiblesse

— To fail due to a lack of strength or resolve.

Il a péché par faiblesse de caractère.

Pécher par précipitation

— To fail because of rushing. Common in professional settings.

Le rapport pèche par précipitation.

Pécher par timidité

— To fail due to being too shy. Used for social shortcomings.

Elle pèche par timidité lors des réunions.

Frequentemente confundido com

pécher vs pêcher

To fish. Different accent, different meaning.

pécher vs pêcher (noun)

A peach tree. Often confused in writing.

pécher vs péché (noun)

The sin itself. 'Pécher' is the action.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Pécher par excès de zèle"

— To do too much of something to the point where it becomes a fault.

Le policier a péché par excès de zèle.

neutral

"Pécher par omission"

— To sin by failing to do or say something that should have been done or said.

Ne pas l'avertir, c'est pécher par omission.

neutral

"C'est là que le bât blesse (related)"

— While not using 'pécher', it is the idiom used to describe where a system 'pèche'.

C'est là que le bât blesse dans son plan.

informal

"Faute avouée est à moitié pardonnée (related)"

— A confessed fault is half forgiven. Often used when one has 'péché'.

Allez, dis-le, faute avouée est à moitié pardonnée.

proverb

"Pécher par gourmandise"

— A common light-hearted way to say someone ate too much.

J'ai encore péché par gourmandise avec ce gâteau.

informal

"Pécher contre la vérité"

— To lie or distort facts. Used in journalism or law.

Cet article pèche contre la vérité historique.

formal

"Pécher par défaut"

— To fail by not having enough of a quality. Opposite of 'excès'.

Son analyse pèche par défaut de preuves.

formal

"Pécher par orgueil"

— The classic 'deadly sin' used to describe arrogance.

Le champion a péché par orgueil et a perdu.

neutral

"Pécher par naïveté"

— To be so innocent that it causes a problem.

Il a cru ses promesses et a péché par naïveté.

neutral

"Pécher par vanité"

— To fail because of a desire to be admired.

Elle pèche par vanité en voulant toujours être au centre.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

pécher vs pêcher

Identical pronunciation for many speakers.

Pécher (accent aigu) is to sin. Pêcher (accent circonflexe) is to fish.

Je vais pécher (I will sin) vs Je vais pêcher (I will fish).

pécher vs pêche

Related to fishing/peach.

Péché is the sin. Pêche is a peach or fishing.

Quel péché ! (What a sin!) vs Quelle pêche ! (What a peach / What energy!)

pécher vs pécheur

Homophone.

Pécheur is a sinner. Pêcheur is a fisherman.

Le pécheur se repent. vs Le pêcheur attrape un poisson.

pécher vs faillir

Both imply failure.

Faillir is often 'to almost do'. Pécher is a moral/structural failure.

Il a failli tomber. vs Il pèche par orgueil.

pécher vs manquer

Both used for 'lacking'.

Manquer is more general. Pécher implies the lack is a specific fault.

Il manque de sel. vs Sa soupe pèche par manque de sel.

Padrões de frases

[Sujet] pèche par [Nom].

Il pèche par paresse.

Ce [Objet] pèche par son manque de [Qualité].

Ce livre pèche par son manque de rythme.

On ne peut pas [Sujet] de pécher par [Défaut].

On ne peut pas l'accuser de pécher par égoïsme.

C'est en [Action] que [Sujet] pèche le plus.

C'est en voulant trop plaire que l'auteur pèche le plus.

[Sujet] ne pèche pas par [Qualité positive].

Il ne pèche pas par modestie.

L'argumentation pèche par une [Erreur logique].

L'argumentation pèche par une pétition de principe.

Pécher contre [Concept abstrait].

Pécher contre l'intelligence.

Il a péché par [Manière] en [Gérondif].

Il a péché par omission en se taisant.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

le péché (the sin)

le pécheur / la pécheresse (the sinner)

la peccabilité (the capability of sinning)

Verbos

repécher (to sin again - rare)

péchier (archaic form)

Adjetivos

pécheur (sinful)

impeccable (literally: unable to sin; perfect)

peccable (capable of sinning)

Relacionado

la faute

le vice

la transgression

l'offense

le pardon

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

frequency

Common in writing and formal speech; rare in casual slang.

Erros comuns

Using the wrong accent (ê instead of é). → pécher
Pêcher means to fish; pécher means to sin.
Using 'de' instead of 'par'. → pécher par paresse
The cause of the sin/flaw is introduced by 'par'.
Pronouncing the final 'r'. → /pe.ʃe/
Infinitives ending in -er have a silent 'r'.
Confusing 'pécheur' and 'pécher'. → Il a péché.
Pécheur is the noun (sinner); pécher is the verb.
Using 'pécher' for a simple mistake like a typo. → J'ai fait une faute.
Pécher is reserved for moral or fundamental flaws.

Dicas

Accent Memory

The accent aigu (é) in pécher goes UP, like a prayer (or a sin being judged). The circumflex (ê) in pêcher is a TENT for fishing.

The 'Par' Rule

Whenever you want to describe a specific flaw, use 'pécher par' + [Noun]. It's the most common B2-level pattern.

Guilty Pleasure

Use 'péché mignon' to talk about things you love but feel a bit guilty about, like chocolate or reality TV.

Closed E

Keep the 'é' in pécher closed. If you open it too much, it sounds like 'pêcher' (fishing).

Academic Critique

In essays, use 'pécher par manque de cohérence' to criticize an argument elegantly.

Secular Sin

Don't be afraid to use 'pécher' in non-religious contexts; it's a mark of high-level French.

Context Clues

If you hear 'par' after the verb, it's almost certainly 'pécher' (to sin/fail), not 'pêcher' (to fish).

Variety

Instead of always using 'est mauvais', try 'pèche par...'. It adds variety to your descriptions.

Latin Roots

Remembering 'peccare' helps you connect it to English words like 'peccadillo' or 'impeccable'.

Avoid 'De'

Never say 'pécher de orgueil'. It's always 'pécher par orgueil'.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of the 'é' in 'pécher' as an 'Evil' action. The 'ê' in 'pêcher' looks like a 'hook' for fishing. Evil = Pécher.

Associação visual

Visualize a person standing at a crossroads. One path is straight, the other is a 'péché'—a 'pit' they fall into because they 'pèche'.

Word Web

péché pécheur loi morale faute par contre impeccable

Desafio

Try to write three sentences about a famous movie character using the structure 'Il/Elle pèche par...'. For example: 'Batman pèche par son désir de vengeance'.

Origem da palavra

From the Latin verb 'peccare', which means 'to make a mistake', 'to stumble', or 'to sin'. It entered Old French as 'pechier'.

Significado original: To stumble or to miss a step. This physical metaphor evolved into a moral one: missing the 'right path'.

Romance (Latin root). Related to 'peccadillo' in English (a small sin).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'pécher' in a strictly religious context with strangers, as it can sound judgmental. In metaphorical contexts, it is perfectly safe and sophisticated.

In English, 'to sin' is almost exclusively religious. In French, 'pécher' is much more common in intellectual and critical contexts (e.g., critiquing a book).

Confiteor (Catholic prayer: 'J'ai beaucoup péché...') The concept of 'Péché Originel' (Original Sin) Le Péché de Monsieur Antoine (Novel by George Sand)

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Religious Confession

J'ai péché
Pardonnez-moi mon père
Pécher en pensée
Pécher par action

Literary Criticism

Pécher par son style
Pécher par manque de clarté
Le récit pèche
L'auteur pèche

Business/Professional

Pécher par excès de zèle
Pécher par manque de prévoyance
La stratégie pèche
Pécher par imprudence

Daily Life (Playful)

Péché mignon
Pécher par gourmandise
J'ai péché !
C'est un petit péché

Philosophical Debate

Pécher contre la logique
Pécher par réductionnisme
L'argument pèche
Pécher contre l'esprit

Iniciadores de conversa

"Penses-tu qu'on peut pécher par excès de gentillesse ?"

"Quel est ton péché mignon quand il s'agit de nourriture ?"

"Est-ce qu'un film peut pécher par une fin trop prévisible ?"

"As-tu déjà péché par omission dans ton travail ?"

"Peut-on pécher contre soi-même en étant trop exigeant ?"

Temas para diário

Décrivez une situation où vous avez péché par excès de zèle. Quelles ont été les conséquences ?

Réfléchissez à un livre que vous n'avez pas aimé. Dans quels domaines pèche-t-il le plus ?

Le concept de 'péché' a-t-il encore une place dans une société moderne et laïque ? Pourquoi ?

Analysez une erreur passée : avez-vous péché par manque d'expérience ou par excès de confiance ?

Que signifie pour vous l'expression 'pécher contre la vérité' dans le monde des médias aujourd'hui ?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, it is very common in secular French to describe flaws in logic, art, or character using 'pécher par...'.

Pécher (é) means to sin. Pêcher (ê) means to fish. The accent is the key.

The most common translation is 'un péché mignon' (a little sin).

Usually, 'pécher' implies a deeper flaw. For a simple typo, use 'faire une erreur'.

Usually 'par' (by/through) or 'contre' (against).

Yes! It comes from the Latin for 'not able to sin'.

Use the auxiliary 'avoir': 'J'ai péché'.

It is always 'par omission'.

Metaphorically, yes. 'Cet algorithme pèche par un manque de données'.

It ranges from neutral to formal, but is rarely used in very low-level slang.

Cadastre-se grátis para ver dicas e notas