chasser
/ʃa.se/
To hunt in French is chasser.
Chasser is the most common and neutral verb for 'to hunt'. You can use it to say you are hunting specific animals by using a direct object, such as chasser du gibier (to hunt game) or chasser le… (to hunt for…). Other specific types of hunting include la chasse aux trophées (trophy hunting) and la chasse sous-marine (spearfishing). A person who hunts is called a chasseur, and the act of hunting or shooting is chasse.
Meaning: to chase down prey (verb)
Which one should you use?
chasser also means 'to chase' or 'to drive away', such as when driving away birds or animals.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of France, the phrase Chasser à courre refers to traditional hunting with hounds.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of chasser is chassé.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃa.se/
Did you know?
- While chasser means to hunt, the word chasse also refers to the flush mechanism of a toilet in the phrase chasse d'eau.
- In a professional context, the term chasseur de têtes describes a headhunter who recruits high-level executives for companies.
- The phrase chasser le naturel refers to the impossible task of trying to suppress one's innate personality or instincts.
Examples in context
- Est-ce que tu sais chasser ?Do you know how to hunt?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's ability to hunt using chasser.Tatoeba #7482729 by Micsmithel, translation #5930447 by mailohilohi
- Il aime chasser.He likes to hunt.This sentence shows how to express a liking for hunting with chasser.Tatoeba #132553 by sacredceltic, translation #299249 by CK
- Les lions peuvent-ils chasser des éléphants ?Can lions hunt elephants?This sentence demonstrates how to use chasser when the object is an animal.Tatoeba #13935738 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13935737 by Ioan_Cristian
- Je suis passionné(e) par la chasse.I am passionate about hunting.
- Mon père et moi pratiquons souvent la chasse ensemble.My father and I often practice hunting together.
- Je vais partir à la chasse demain avec mes amis.I'm going hunting tomorrow with my friends.
- On va chasser du gibier ce weekend.We're going hunting for game this weekend.
- Ils aiment chasser à courre dans cette région.They enjoy traditional hunting with hounds in this region.
- Je vais faire la chasse cet automne.I'll go hunting this fall.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are discussing nature in the forest.
- NathanRegarde ce renard, il essaie de chasser.Look at that fox, he is trying to hunt.
- ManonIl est très rapide et discret.He is very fast and discreet.
- NathanOui, il sait bien chasser ici.Yes, he knows how to hunt well here.
- ManonC'est fascinant à observer, Nathan.It's fascinating to observe, Nathan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hunt” translations and entries chasser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
