empêcher

Senses

1. 1.

   to prevent

   to stop something from happening or someone from doing something

2. 2.

   to hinder; to obstruct

   to create a barrier or difficulty that makes an action harder

3. 3.

   to help from (+ infinitive)

   used in negative constructions: 'ne pas pouvoir s'empêcher de' = cannot help but

Examples

• "Il m'a empêché de partir."

  He prevented me from leaving.

• "Je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher de rire."

  I couldn't help but laugh.

• "La pluie n'a pas empêché le match."

  The rain didn't stop the match.

Usage

Empêcher de + infinitive is the standard construction for "prevent from doing." The reflexive form "s'empêcher" (especially in negation: "ne pas pouvoir s'empêcher de") means "cannot refrain from" or "cannot help but." Common in both formal and informal registers.