French dictionary
ravir/ʁa.vi/
verb · B1/B2 · Frequency 855
verb
Meanings
to seize, steal; abduct
This sense covers forcible seizure, plundering, and kidnapping, all used transitively.
to delight, enchant
Expresses causing great joy or fascination, used transitively.
Examples
Le coffre a été ravi à la banque pendant la nuit.
The chest was seized from the bank during the night.
Le jeune pianiste a ravi le public dès les premières notes.
The young pianist delighted the audience from the very first notes.
Le paysage l'a ravi dès son arrivée dans le village.
The landscape fascinated him as soon as he arrived in the village.
Collocations
- ravir un enfantto abduct a child
- ravir les foulesto delight the crowds
Common mistakes
Il ravis les foules.
Il ravit les foules.
The present third-person singular of ravir is ravit, not ravis; the subject il requires the third-person singular form.