At the A1 level, 'interrompre' might be a bit advanced, but you will see it in simple contexts like 'interrompre une conversation'. It is important to know that it means 'to stop' something that is happening. You might use it when you want to say 'Sorry' before asking a question. Think of it as a more formal way to say 'couper' (to cut). You should focus on the present tense: 'Je t'interromps'. It's a useful word to recognize when someone says 'Ne m'interromps pas' (Don't interrupt me). At this stage, just remember it as 'to break into' a talk or a task. It's often found in classroom instructions or simple dialogues about daily life. You don't need to master all the irregular conjugations yet, but knowing the basic meaning helps you understand social rules in French-speaking countries.
At the A2 level, you should start using 'interrompre' in the passé composé and the present tense. You can use it to describe your day, such as 'La pluie a interrompu notre pique-nique' (The rain interrupted our picnic). You are learning that French has different words for 'stop', and 'interrompre' is for when something is in progress. You should also learn the polite phrase 'Désolé de vous interrompre'. This level requires you to understand the direct object: you interrupt 'someone'. You might also see it in public transport announcements like 'Le service est interrompu'. Understanding this word helps you navigate daily disruptions and communicate more politely. You should practice the conjugation 'il interrompt' and notice the 't' at the end, which is different from 'il finit' or 'il vend'.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'interrompre' more naturally in various tenses, including the imparfait and the future. You can discuss more abstract topics, like 'interrompre ses études' (to stop one's studies) or 'interrompre une relation'. You should be aware of the reflexive form 's'interrompre' (to stop oneself). You can also start using synonyms like 'suspendre' or 'couper la parole' to vary your vocabulary. At this stage, you understand the nuance that 'interrompre' often implies a temporary break. You might use it in a professional context to describe a project that was put on hold. Your grammar should be more precise, ensuring that you agree the past participle 'interrompu' with the preceding direct object. You are also learning the noun 'une interruption' and how it relates to the verb.
At the B2 level, you should master 'interrompre' in all its nuances, including formal and technical contexts. You can use it to describe complex situations, such as 'interrompre la prescription' in a legal sense or 'interrompre un processus industriel'. You understand the stylistic difference between 'interrompre' and 'couper la parole'. You can use the subjunctive mood with it: 'Il est important que nous n'interrompions pas le processus'. You are also able to recognize it in literature and news reports, where it might be used to describe political or social disruptions. You should be comfortable with the word family, including 'interruptible' and 'ininterrompu'. Your ability to use this verb correctly in a debate, while following French etiquette, shows a high level of linguistic and cultural competence.
At the C1 level, 'interrompre' becomes a tool for precise and sophisticated expression. You can use it to discuss the flow of a narrative or the rhythm of a piece of music. You understand its use in philosophical or scientific contexts, such as 'interrompre le continuum espace-temps'. You can distinguish between 'interrompre', 'briser', and 'rompre' with ease, choosing the one that provides the exact connotation needed. You are aware of the historical and etymological roots of the word. In writing, you use it to create specific effects, perhaps using the passive voice to emphasize the disruption: 'Le silence fut soudain interrompu par un cri lointain'. You can also use it in complex grammatical structures, such as the gerund or the present participle, to add detail to your descriptions.
At the C2 level, your command of 'interrompre' is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You can use it in highly specialized fields, such as law, medicine, or advanced engineering, with total accuracy. You understand the most subtle connotations, such as when 'interrompre' might imply a sense of violence or, conversely, a necessary and welcome relief. You can play with the word in puns or literary metaphors. You are also fully aware of the register shifts—knowing exactly when to use 'interrompre' versus a more colloquial or a more archaic term. Your usage reflects a deep understanding of French social dynamics, where the act of interrupting is laden with cultural meaning. You can analyze the use of the verb in classical French literature and compare it with modern usage.

interrompre in 30 Seconds

  • Interrompre is a French verb meaning to interrupt or break off a process or conversation, often implying a temporary stop in a continuous flow.
  • It belongs to the third conjugation group (-re) and follows the pattern of 'rompre', notably having a 't' in the third person singular 'il interrompt'.
  • Commonly used in social contexts to politely (or rudely) stop someone's speech, and in technical contexts to describe service or process outages.
  • Synonyms include 'couper' (informal speech) and 'suspendre' (formal/official), while 'arrêter' is a more general term for stopping any action.

The French verb interrompre is a versatile term primarily meaning 'to interrupt' or 'to break off.' At its core, it signifies the act of stopping an action, a process, or a person in the middle of what they are doing or saying. Unlike the simpler verb 'arrêter' (to stop), interrompre implies a temporary cessation or a disruption of a continuous flow. It is a third-group verb, derived from the Latin interrumpere, where 'inter' means between and 'rumpere' means to break. This 'breaking between' perfectly captures the essence of the word: you are creating a gap in an ongoing sequence.

Conversational Context
When you speak while someone else is talking, you are 'interrompant' their speech. It is often seen as impolite unless preceded by 'Excusez-moi de vous interrompre.'
Technical Context
In electronics or computing, it refers to the suspension of a process to handle an event, such as a 'signal d'interruption'.
Physical Context
It can describe the physical breaking of a line, a circuit, or a path, though 'couper' is more common for physical objects.

Je suis désolé de vous interrompre, mais il y a un appel urgent pour vous.

In a broader sense, interrompre can apply to abstract concepts like silence, a career, or a relationship. When one 'interrompt le silence', they are breaking a quiet atmosphere with sound. If a student 'interrompt ses études', they are taking a break from their education, possibly with the intent to return later. The nuance of 'temporary' is key here; while it can be permanent, the word often suggests a disruption of a planned or natural progression.

L'arbitre a dû interrompre le match à cause de la pluie battante.

Furthermore, the verb is reflexive in some contexts, though 's'interrompre' is less common than the active form. When someone 's'interrompt', they stop themselves mid-sentence, often because they realized a mistake or were distracted. This internal disruption highlights the verb's flexibility in describing both external and internal breaks in flow.

Social Nuance
In French culture, interrupting is sometimes seen as a sign of engagement in a heated debate, but in formal settings, it remains a breach of etiquette.

Ne m'interromps pas quand je parle, c'est très impoli !

La panne d'électricité a interrompu le film au moment le plus excitant.

Legal/Official
An 'interruption de séance' is a formal break in a meeting or court session.

Le président a décidé d'interrompre la séance pour dix minutes.

Using interrompre correctly requires understanding its transitive nature; it almost always takes a direct object. You interrupt something or someone. In French, the structure is simply 'interrompre [quelqu'un/quelque chose]'. For example, 'interrompre un discours' or 'interrompre un ami'. It is vital to distinguish it from 's'arrêter', which is often intransitive or reflexive. You wouldn't say 'Je m'interromps à la banque' to mean you stopped at the bank; you would use 'Je m'arrête'.

Conjugation Pattern
As a third-group verb ending in -re, it has specific endings: -s, -s, -t, -ons, -ez, -ent. The 't' in 'il interrompt' is a common spelling trap for learners.
Past Participle
The past participle is 'interrompu'. In compound tenses like the passé composé, it agrees with the direct object if that object precedes the verb: 'Les paroles qu'il a interrompues'.

Nous avons dû interrompre nos vacances pour rentrer d'urgence.

When using it in a social setting, it is polite to pair it with 'permettre'. For instance, 'Me permettez-vous de vous interrompre ?' (May I interrupt you?). This softens the blow of the disruption. In professional writing, 'interrompre' is preferred over 'couper' when referring to processes or schedules, as 'couper' can sound too abrupt or physical.

Il est difficile d'interrompre une habitude bien ancrée.

Reflexive Form
'S'interrompre' is used when a speaker stops themselves. 'Elle s'est interrompue au milieu de sa phrase.'

In technical documentation, you will often see the noun form 'interruption'. However, the verb 'interrompre' remains the standard way to describe the action of triggering that interruption. For example, 'Le système interrompt le transfert de données en cas d'erreur'.

Voulez-vous interrompre le téléchargement en cours ?

You will encounter interrompre in a variety of settings, ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. In everyday life, it is most common during conversations. If you are watching a French talk show or a political debate, you will hear moderators say, 'Je vous interromps un instant' to manage the flow of the discussion. It is a key verb for managing social interactions and time.

In the News
Journalists use it to describe events that have been halted: 'Le trafic ferroviaire a été interrompu suite à un incident.'
In the Office
Colleagues might say, 'Désolé de t'interrompre dans ton travail' when approaching someone's desk.

La radio a interrompu ses programmes pour une annonce spéciale.

In literature, authors use 'interrompre' to create tension or describe a change in atmosphere. A character might 'interrompre le silence' with a scream or a whisper. In academic or legal texts, it refers to the suspension of laws, terms, or sessions. For example, 'interrompre la prescription' is a specific legal term regarding the statute of limitations.

Le bruit des travaux a interrompu ma concentration.

In the world of technology, 'interrompre' is found in user interfaces. A button might say 'Interrompre' instead of 'Annuler' (Cancel) if the action is meant to be paused or stopped mid-way. It is also common in medical contexts, such as 'interrompre un traitement' (to stop a treatment).

Public Announcements
'Nous interrompons ce programme pour une édition spéciale.'

Le professeur a interrompu son cours pour répondre à une question.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing interrompre with 'arrêter' or 'stopper'. While they all involve stopping, interrompre specifically targets the continuity of an action. You don't 'interrompre' a car at a red light; you 'arrêter' the car. However, you do 'interrompre' a conversation. Another common error is the spelling of the third-person singular in the present tense.

Spelling Error
Writing 'il interromp' instead of 'il interrompt'. The 't' is mandatory in the third person singular for verbs like rompre, corrompre, and interrompre.
Preposition Misuse
Using 'interrompre à' or 'interrompre de'. It is a direct transitive verb: 'interrompre quelqu'un'.

Incorrect: Il interromp son ami.
Correct: Il interrompt son ami.

Another mistake is using 'interrompre' when 'déconnecter' or 'couper' is more appropriate for physical objects. For example, while you can 'interrompre un circuit', saying 'interrompre le pain' instead of 'couper le pain' (cut the bread) would be incorrect and confusing. Furthermore, learners often forget the agreement of the past participle 'interrompu' when the direct object precedes the verb in compound tenses.

Incorrect: J'ai interrompu à la réunion.
Correct: J'ai interrompu la réunion.

False Friends
In some contexts, 'disrupt' is better translated as 'bouleverser' or 'perturber' rather than 'interrompre'.

Understanding the synonyms and related words for interrompre helps in choosing the right level of formality and precision. The most common synonym is 'couper', which is more informal when used for speech ('Ne me coupe pas la parole !'). Another close relative is 'suspendre', which implies a more formal or temporary halt, often decided by an authority.

Couper
Literally 'to cut'. Used figuratively to mean interrupting someone's speech abruptly.
Suspendre
To suspend. Used for official pauses, like suspending a license or a meeting.
Cesser
To cease. Usually means to stop an action entirely, often used in 'cesser de + infinitive'.

Il a coupé la parole à son collègue sans hésiter.

Other words include 'perturber' (to disturb/disrupt), which focuses on the chaos caused by the interruption, and 'déshabituer', though that is quite distant. In a technical sense, 'arrêter' is the general term for stopping, while 'interrompre' is the specific term for a break in a sequence. 'Briser' (to break) can also be used for 'briser le silence', which is a poetic synonym for 'interrompre le silence'.

La séance a été suspendue pour une durée indéterminée.

Stopper
A loanword from English, used frequently in modern French for a sudden stop.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Conjugation of verbs in -pre (rompre pattern)

Agreement of the past participle with preceding direct objects

Use of the infinitive after 'désolé de'

Passive voice construction

Subjunctive mood after expressions of necessity

Examples by Level

1

Je vous interromps un instant.

I interrupt you for a moment.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

2

Ne m'interromps pas, s'il te plaît.

Don't interrupt me, please.

Imperative mood, informal.

3

Il interrompt son travail à midi.

He interrupts his work at noon.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

4

Pourquoi interromps-tu la musique ?

Why are you interrupting the music?

Interrogative form, present tense.

5

Elle n'aime pas interrompre les gens.

She doesn't like to interrupt people.

Infinitive after a verb of preference.

6

Nous interrompons le jeu maintenant.

We are interrupting the game now.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

7

Le professeur interrompt la leçon.

The teacher interrupts the lesson.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

8

Désolé d'interrompre votre café.

Sorry to interrupt your coffee.

Infinitive phrase.

1

La pluie a interrompu le match de tennis.

The rain interrupted the tennis match.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

J'ai dû interrompre mes études l'année dernière.

I had to interrupt my studies last year.

Passé composé of 'devoir' + infinitive.

3

Ils ont interrompu la réunion pour déjeuner.

They interrupted the meeting to have lunch.

Passé composé.

4

Le téléphone a interrompu mon sommeil.

The phone interrupted my sleep.

Passé composé.

5

Est-ce que je vous ai interrompu ?

Did I interrupt you?

Passé composé, interrogative.

6

Le bruit interrompt souvent ma concentration.

The noise often interrupts my concentration.

Present tense with adverb of frequency.

7

Nous avons interrompu la marche à cause du vent.

We interrupted the walk because of the wind.

Passé composé.

8

Il ne faut pas interrompre le film.

One must not interrupt the movie.

Impersonal 'il faut' + negation + infinitive.

1

Si tu m'interromps encore, je m'en vais.

If you interrupt me again, I'm leaving.

Si clause (present + future/present).

2

L'électricité a été interrompue pendant deux heures.

The electricity was interrupted for two hours.

Passive voice, passé composé.

3

Elle s'est interrompue brusquement en voyant son père.

She stopped herself abruptly upon seeing her father.

Reflexive verb, passé composé.

4

Il est impoli d'interrompre quelqu'un qui parle.

It is impolite to interrupt someone who is speaking.

Adjective + de + infinitive.

5

Nous interrompions nos jeux dès qu'il arrivait.

We used to interrupt our games as soon as he arrived.

Imparfait for habitual action.

6

Le gouvernement a décidé d'interrompre les négociations.

The government decided to interrupt the negotiations.

Decider de + infinitive.

7

Le signal a été interrompu par les montagnes.

The signal was interrupted by the mountains.

Passive voice.

8

Je ne voulais pas interrompre votre discussion passionnante.

I didn't want to interrupt your fascinating discussion.

Imparfait of 'vouloir'.

1

Bien qu'il m'ait interrompu, j'ai gardé mon calme.

Although he interrupted me, I stayed calm.

Subjunctive mood after 'bien que'.

2

L'intervenant a été interrompu par des applaudissements.

The speaker was interrupted by applause.

Passive voice with 'par'.

3

Il est hors de question d'interrompre le processus maintenant.

It is out of the question to interrupt the process now.

Fixed expression + infinitive.

4

Elle a l'habitude d'interrompre ses collègues en réunion.

She has the habit of interrupting her colleagues in meetings.

Avoir l'habitude de + infinitive.

5

Le trafic ferroviaire sera interrompu tout le week-end.

Train traffic will be interrupted all weekend.

Future tense, passive voice.

6

Il a interrompu son récit pour boire une gorgée d'eau.

He interrupted his story to take a sip of water.

Passé composé.

7

Les travaux ont interrompu la circulation dans le quartier.

The works interrupted traffic in the neighborhood.

Passé composé.

8

Je regrette d'avoir interrompu votre sieste.

I regret having interrupted your nap.

Regretter d'avoir + past participle.

1

L'auteur interrompt la narration par une digression philosophique.

The author interrupts the narrative with a philosophical digression.

Present tense, literary context.

2

Il est rare qu'une telle procédure soit interrompue sans motif grave.

It is rare that such a procedure is interrupted without a serious reason.

Subjunctive mood after 'il est rare que'.

3

Le silence pesant fut interrompu par le tic-tac de l'horloge.

The heavy silence was interrupted by the ticking of the clock.

Passé simple, passive voice.

4

Elle s'interrompit, cherchant ses mots avec une anxiété visible.

She stopped herself, searching for her words with visible anxiety.

Passé simple, reflexive.

5

L'interruption volontaire de grossesse est un sujet de débat.

The voluntary interruption of pregnancy is a subject of debate.

Noun form in a formal context.

6

Rien ne semblait pouvoir interrompre sa course vers le succès.

Nothing seemed able to interrupt his race toward success.

Infinitive after 'pouvoir'.

7

Le flux de données fut interrompu par une faille de sécurité.

The data flow was interrupted by a security breach.

Passé simple, passive voice.

8

Il interrompait sans cesse le fil de ma pensée.

He was constantly interrupting my train of thought.

Imparfait for continuous/repeated action.

1

L'éclat du tonnerre vint interrompre la quiétude de la nuit.

The flash of thunder came to interrupt the stillness of the night.

Passé simple with 'venir' as semi-auxiliary.

2

Nul ne saurait interrompre le cours inexorable du temps.

No one could interrupt the inexorable course of time.

Literary 'saurait' for 'pourrait'.

3

La symphonie fut interrompue par un accord dissonant et brutal.

The symphony was interrupted by a dissonant and brutal chord.

Passé simple, passive voice.

4

Il convient de ne point interrompre l'ordre naturel des choses.

It is fitting not to interrupt the natural order of things.

Formal 'ne point' negation.

5

L'orateur, s'interrompant, laissa planer un silence éloquent.

The speaker, stopping himself, let an eloquent silence hang.

Present participle, reflexive.

6

Le traité fut interrompu par une déclaration de guerre soudaine.

The treaty was interrupted by a sudden declaration of war.

Passé simple, passive voice.

7

Sa péroraison fut interrompue par les huées de la foule en colère.

His peroration was interrupted by the boos of the angry crowd.

Advanced vocabulary ('péroraison').

8

Il ne faudrait pas que des considérations triviales interrompent notre étude.

Trivial considerations should not interrupt our study.

Conditionnel + subjunctive.

Synonyms

couper suspendre arrêter briser cesser perturber tronquer stopper

Antonyms

continuer poursuivre maintenir prolonger

Common Collocations

interrompre une conversation
interrompre le silence
interrompre ses études
interrompre la séance
interrompre le trafic
interrompre un processus
interrompre brutalement
interrompre poliment
interrompre le signal
interrompre les négociations

Often Confused With

interrompre vs arrêter (general stop)

interrompre vs couper (physical cut or informal interruption)

interrompre vs interpeller (to call out/question)

Easily Confused

interrompre vs interpeller

To call out or question officially, not to stop an action.

interrompre vs rompre

To break (a relationship or an object) permanently.

interrompre vs suspendre

More formal, often implies a decision by authority.

interrompre vs perturber

To disturb or cause chaos, not just stop.

interrompre vs cesser

To stop doing something entirely.

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

'Interrompre' is more formal than 'couper'.

spelling

The double 'r' is essential.

reflexive

'S'interrompre' is common in literary descriptions of speech.

Common Mistakes
  • The third person singular of verbs like rompre always ends in 't'.

  • It is a direct transitive verb, no preposition is needed.

  • 'Interrompre' is for processes, 'arrêter' is for physical stopping.

  • Use 'couper' for physical cutting of objects.

  • To stop oneself from speaking, use the reflexive or 'arrêter de'.

Tips

Use 'Désolé' first

Always precede an interruption with an apology. This is standard French etiquette. It shows you respect the other person's time. Phrases like 'Excusez-moi' or 'Pardon' are essential.

The 'T' is key

Don't forget the 't' in 'il interrompt'. It is a common mistake for learners. It follows the rule for third-group verbs ending in -pre. Think of it as a marker for the singular third person.

Synonym choice

Use 'suspendre' for official or long-term breaks. Use 'interrompre' for conversational or process breaks. Use 'couper' for informal or abrupt breaks. Choosing the right word shows your level.

Nasal 'in'

The first syllable 'in' is nasal. Don't pronounce the 'n' like in English. It should sound like the 'in' in 'vin' or 'lapin'. Practice this to sound more native.

Direct Object

Remember that 'interrompre' takes a direct object. You interrupt 'someone' or 'something'. Do not use 'à' or 'de'. This is a common error for English speakers.

Public Transport

Learn 'trafic interrompu' for travel. It is a vital phrase for navigating French cities. It will help you understand delays. You will hear it on the radio and see it on signs.

Agreement

In the passé composé, watch the agreement. If the object is feminine and plural and comes before, add 'es'. For example, 'Les paroles qu'il a interrompues'. This is a B2/C1 level skill.

Softening

Use 'puis-je vous interrompre ?' for a very formal request. It is more polite than just starting to speak. It gives the other person a chance to finish. This is great for business meetings.

Word Family

Connect it to 'interruption'. Since the noun is almost the same as in English, it's easy to remember. The verb is just the action form of the noun. This helps with vocabulary building.

Conversation Style

Observe how French people interrupt. It is often faster and more frequent than in English. This is called 'cooperative overlapping'. Understanding this helps you not take it personally.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Latin

Cultural Context

IVG is a significant term in French law and social history.

TV hosts often use 'Je vous coupe' as a shorter, more direct version of 'interrompre'.

Always use 'Désolé de vous interrompre' in professional settings.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que je vous interromps ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui a interrompu votre voyage ?"

"Comment réagissez-vous quand on vous interrompt ?"

"Avez-vous déjà dû interrompre vos études ?"

"Pourquoi le match a-t-il été interrompu ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une fois où vous avez été interrompu pendant un moment important.

Est-il acceptable d'interrompre quelqu'un pour le corriger ?

Qu'est-ce qui interrompt souvent votre concentration au travail ?

Imaginez une journée où rien ne peut être interrompu.

Réflexion sur l'importance de ne pas interrompre le silence.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not necessarily, it depends on the context. In a formal debate, it is expected. In a polite conversation, using 'Désolé de vous interrompre' makes it acceptable. It is a neutral verb describing an action. The impoliteness comes from the social situation, not the word itself.

It follows the -re pattern: j'interromps, tu interromps, il interrompt, nous interrompons, vous interrompez, ils interrompent. Note the 't' in the third person singular. The plural forms are regular. The stem remains 'interromp-' throughout. It is very similar to 'rompre'.

'Interrompre' is more formal and general. 'Couper' is more informal when used for speech ('couper la parole'). 'Couper' also has a physical meaning (to cut with a knife). You would use 'interrompre' for a meeting but 'couper' for a piece of string. In speech, 'couper' is often seen as more aggressive.

Yes, you can 'interrompre quelqu'un'. This is one of its most common uses. It means you stop them while they are doing or saying something. It is a direct transitive verb. You don't need a preposition like 'à' or 'de' after it.

It means that the flow of traffic (usually trains or buses) has stopped. This is a common phrase in French public transport. It usually implies a temporary problem. It is often followed by the reason, like 'incident technique'. You will see this on screens in the Metro.

Yes, the medical term is 'interruption volontaire de grossesse' (IVG). The verb 'interrompre' is used to describe the procedure. This is a very common and formal usage in France. It is used in legal and medical documents. It is a sensitive but standard term.

The past participle is 'interrompu'. It is used with the auxiliary 'avoir' in compound tenses. For example, 'J'ai interrompu la réunion'. It agrees with the direct object if the object comes before the verb. For example, 'La réunion que j'ai interrompue'.

Yes, 's'interrompre' means to stop oneself. For example, 'Elle s'est interrompue au milieu de son discours'. This is used when someone stops speaking suddenly. It is often found in literature. It suggests a sudden realization or hesitation.

You say 'interrompre le silence'. This is a common literary expression. It means to make a noise in a quiet place. For example, 'Un cri a interrompu le silence de la nuit'. It is a very evocative phrase.

Yes, the noun is 'interruption'. It is feminine: 'une interruption'. It is used in many contexts, like 'une interruption de service' or 'une interruption de séance'. It is a very common word in both formal and informal French.

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