I checked the forums and I am having some trouble with this word: "bifurquer".
Clearly, one meaning for roads is "to branch" or "to fork".
The dictionary also suggests "to diverge". Collins has "to turn off". In the forum discussions, there was also the implied sense of each person going off on their own separate ways. By comparison, my dictionary (for francophone children) simply suggests "to change direction" in a general sense.
Would "to veer off" be the right translation for "bifurquer" in these sentences?
1) Quand tu arrives au carrefour, bifurque à droite.
2) À l’intersection, la voiture a soudain bifurqué au carrefour.
In particular, I am having difficulty understanding #2 and picturing how you can *suddenly* "turn off" or "diverge" to the right at an intersection.
Thanks in advance,
Nick
Clearly, one meaning for roads is "to branch" or "to fork".
The dictionary also suggests "to diverge". Collins has "to turn off". In the forum discussions, there was also the implied sense of each person going off on their own separate ways. By comparison, my dictionary (for francophone children) simply suggests "to change direction" in a general sense.
Would "to veer off" be the right translation for "bifurquer" in these sentences?
1) Quand tu arrives au carrefour, bifurque à droite.
2) À l’intersection, la voiture a soudain bifurqué au carrefour.
In particular, I am having difficulty understanding #2 and picturing how you can *suddenly* "turn off" or "diverge" to the right at an intersection.
Thanks in advance,
Nick