manœuvre
/ma.nœvʁ/
To maneuver in French is manœuvre.
As a verb, manœuvre describes the act of moving carefully, often with difficulty, into a specific position. It can also be used as a noun to refer to a specific movement performed with difficulty or a large-scale military training exercise.
Meaning: to move carefully, and often with difficulty, into a certain position (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun manœuvre is related to the verb manœuvrer, which means 'to maneuver'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ma.nœvʁ/
Did you know?
- In a professional context, a manœuvre can refer to an unskilled laborer. This usage treats the person as the embodiment of the manual work they perform.
- The word manœuvre is a literal translation of the Germanic word 'handwork'. It combines the Old French words for 'hand' and 'work' to describe a physical task.
- In a French strategic context, there is a sharp distinction between a simple mouvement and a manœuvre. While 'movement' is merely moving from point A to B, a manœuvre implies a complex, orchestrated tactical operation.
Examples in context
- La combinaison est une manœuvre tactique, avec sacrifice matériel, visant à obtenir un avantage à court ou à long terme.The combination is a tactical maneuver, with material sacrifice, aiming to obtain some advantage in the short or long term.This sentence shows how manœuvre can be used to describe a tactical movement in a strategic context.Tatoeba #10538070 by carlosalberto, translation #10538066 by carlosalberto
- Le quartier-maître de première classe occupe un rôle intermédiaire avant l’accès aux fonctions de manœuvre ou de maintenance avancée.The first-class quartermaster serves in an intermediate role before advancing to maneuver or maintenance responsibilities.This sentence illustrates the use of manœuvre when referring to specific professional responsibilities or functions.Tatoeba #13362951 by Igider, translation #13362952 by Igider
- Une combinaison est une manœuvre forcée ou des manœuvres combinées à un sacrifice à la suite desquelles le camp actif obtient un avantage objectif.A combination is a forced maneuver or maneuvers combined with a sacrifice as a result of which the active side gains an objective advantage.This sentence demonstrates manœuvre used in the context of a forced movement or combined maneuvers.Tatoeba #10261016 by carlosalberto, translation #10260981 by carlosalberto
- Je dois réaliser une manœuvre délicate dans ce projet.I have to perform a delicate maneuver in this project.
- Utilise cette astuce pour contourner les difficultés.Use this trick to bypass the difficulties.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa is helping Hugo park his car in a tight space.
- LéaRecule doucement pour bien manœuvrer.Back up slowly to maneuver properly.
- HugoC'est difficile, l'espace est très petit.It's difficult, the space is very small.
- LéaTu peux manœuvrer encore un peu à gauche.You can maneuver a bit more to the left.
- HugoÇa y est, je suis enfin garé !That's it, I'm finally parked!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry manœuvre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manœuvre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
