Chaque fois que j'essaie de m'approcher d'elle, elle me repousse.

English Translation

Whenever I try to get near her, she pushes me away.

why is it repousse and not just pousse? Similar to approcher and rapprocher, I don’t quite understand what prompts the use of r/re.

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repousser = to repel
pousser = to push

Same nuance as in English, I would think.

Approcher de / se rapprocher de are synonymous, so I understand your confusion.

The re/r prefix has frequently lost its meaning of repetition/return in French and only usage prevails.

Other examples would be: rajouter, remplir, réveiller, rallonger, raccourcir, rabaisser.

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Thank you. It makes sense that the precision has been lost over time, and your explanation really helps!