protéger
/pʁɔ.te.ʒe/
The English phrase 'protect' translates to the French verb protéger.
protéger is the most common verb in French that directly translates to 'to protect.' You can use the phrase pour protéger to say 'to protect' or afin de protéger to say 'in order to protect.' If you are referring to keeping specific objects like documents or valuables safe, you can use the phrase garder en sécurité to mean 'keep safe.'
Meaning: to keep safe (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some French-speaking regions, the verb garder can be used to imply 'protecting' or 'caring for' someone or something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form protéger is a regular -er verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁɔ.te.ʒe/
Did you know?
- If you are talking about protecting a person from a physical blow, French speakers often use the verb parer instead of protéger.
- The phrase sous la protection de is frequently used in historical French documents to describe a vassal's relationship to a lord.
- The Latin root of protéger literally means 'to cover in front', coming from pro meaning 'before' and tegere meaning 'to cover'.
Examples in context
- On va te protéger.We're going to protect you.This sentence shows how to use protéger with a pronoun.Tatoeba #8010610 by Aiji, translation #3310755 by CK
- Je peux te protéger.I can protect you.This sentence demonstrates the use of protéger with the verb 'can'.Tatoeba #5545435 by sacredceltic, translation #2207241 by Hybrid
- Ça protégera ta peau.This will protect your skin.This sentence illustrates how protéger is used in the future tense regarding skin.Tatoeba #1536704 by sacredceltic, translation #1536568 by Spamster
- Nous devons protéger l'environnementWe must protect the environment
- Nous devons garantir la sécurité de nos citoyensWe must ensure the safety of our citizens
- Il faut préserver notre patrimoine culturelWe must preserve our cultural heritage
- Il faut défendre la liberté d'expressionWe must defend freedom of speech
- Je veille sur mes petits frèresI look after my younger brothers
- Il faut prendre soin de la natureWe must take care of nature
- Assure-toi de bien protéger tes affairesMake sure to protect your belongings
- Préviens-moi si tu veux protéger tes affairesLet me know if you want to protect your belongings
- Je protègeI protect
- Il protègeHe protects
- Nous protégeonsWe protect
- Nous faisons cela pour protéger notre familleWe do this to protect our family
- Garde ces bijoux en sécuritéKeep these jewels safe
- protéger la peauProtect the skin
- protéger les droits de l'hommeProtect human rights
- 141 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are talking about a new phone case.
- ManonEst-ce que cette coque peut protéger le téléphone ?Can this case protect the phone?
- NathanOui, elle est faite pour protéger l'écran.Yes, it is made to protect the screen.
- ManonC'est important de protéger mon nouvel achat.It is important to protect my new purchase.
- NathanJe suis d'accord avec toi, Manon.I agree with you, Manon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “protect” translations and entries protéger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries protéger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
