se faufiler
To sneak (to creep) in French is se faufiler.
The reflexive verb se faufiler conveys the idea of slipping or sliding unnoticed through a small opening or between obstacles.
Meaning: to creep (verb)
Which one should you use?
While se faufiler emphasizes the movement of slipping through a narrow space or moving stealthily through a crowd, it differs from ramper which specifically means to sneak by crawling on the ground.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'to sneak into [a place]', use the preposition dans after the verb.
Did you know?
- While se faufiler describes the act of sneaking, the expression filer en douce is the go-to phrase for the specific social custom of leaving a party without telling the host.
- The verb faufiler can actually be used without the reflexive 'se' to describe the way a person weaves or threads material, such as in textile manufacturing.
- The non-reflexive form faufiler can be used to describe the act of cleverly inserting a fake or forged document into a file.
Examples in context
- Je l'ai vu se faufiler dans la pièce.I noticed him sneak into the room.This sentence shows how to use se faufiler to describe moving into a room.Tatoeba #7643673 by tras, translation #284159 by CK
- C'était elle. Elle tentait de se faufiler derrière moi sans être aperçue.That was her. She was trying to sneak up on me silently.This sentence shows how to use se faufiler to describe moving behind someone silently.Tatoeba #1247567 by Scott, translation #1245084 by Scott
- Elle s'est faufilée dans la pièce et a pris tout le monde par surprise.She sneaked into the room and took everyone by surprise.
- Le chat essaie de se faufiler sous la clôture.The cat is trying to sneak under the fence.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are in a quiet library.
- LéaChut, essaie de te faufiler sans faire de bruit.Shh, try to sneak without making a noise.
- HugoJe vais essayer de me faufiler discrètement.I will try to sneak around discreetly.
- LéaRegarde, le chat veut se faufiler par la porte.Look, the cat wants to sneak through the door.
- HugoIl est très agile, ce petit chat.That little cat is very agile.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
