Croiser vs. Se Croiser

N. Hilary (Shamrockhill) W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Croiser vs. Se Croiser

I agree that it might have been helpful to have "enfiler" included in the vocabulary list. However, even though I wasn't familiar with it, I could write it out listening and sounding it out. I then looked it up in the dictionary. It was fun to learn a new word this way, and actually I think I will be more likely to remember it than if it had been given to me ahead of time.

My question is simply why "croiser" was used instead of "se croiser" and when is it appropriate to use each form of this verb. Some examples would be useful.

Merci !

Asked 2 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

J'ai croisé d'autres randonneurs. -- (lit.) I crossed other hikers. / I crossed path with other hikers.

Croiser is used transitively in this sentence, the COD being d'autres randonneurs. The reflexive form would not be appropriate here.

CélineKwiziq team member

Bonjour N. Hilary,

Chris is correct! 

Here are a few examples using "se croiser":

Nous nous sommes croisés dans la rue = We bumped into each other in the street

Les véhicules se croisent = the cars pass each other

I hope this is useful.

Bonne journée !

Croiser vs. Se Croiser

I agree that it might have been helpful to have "enfiler" included in the vocabulary list. However, even though I wasn't familiar with it, I could write it out listening and sounding it out. I then looked it up in the dictionary. It was fun to learn a new word this way, and actually I think I will be more likely to remember it than if it had been given to me ahead of time.

My question is simply why "croiser" was used instead of "se croiser" and when is it appropriate to use each form of this verb. Some examples would be useful.

Merci !

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Let me take a look at that...