/de.klɑ̃.ʃe/
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to trigger, to set off, to spark
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Word origin
From dé and clenche ('door latch'), a word of Frankish origin. To déclencher was literally to lift the latch and so release the mechanism.
- Origin
- Frankish
- Root
- klinka
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | déclenche | déclenchais | déclenchai | déclencherai | déclencherais |
| tu | déclenches | déclenchais | déclenchas | déclencheras | déclencherais |
| il/elle | déclenche | déclenchait | déclencha | déclenchera | déclencherait |
| nous | déclenchons | déclenchions | déclenchâmes | déclencherons | déclencherions |
| vous | déclenchez | déclenchiez | déclenchâtes | déclencherez | déclencheriez |
| ils/elles | déclenchent | déclenchaient | déclenchèrent | déclencheront | déclencheraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | déclenche | déclenchasse |
| tu | déclenches | déclenchasses |
| il/elle | déclenche | déclenchât |
| nous | déclenchions | déclenchassions |
| vous | déclenchiez | déclenchassiez |
| ils/elles | déclenchent | déclenchassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | déclenche |
| nous | déclenchons |
| vous | déclenchez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- déclenchant
- Past participle
- déclenché · déclenchée · déclenchés · déclenchées
Examples
.
The smoke set off the alarm.
.
A single word can spark a war.
.
They set the machine going remotely.
.
We are launching the operation at midnight.
.
This decision would trigger a crisis.
Where this fits
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French · Free printables
déclencher: worksheet, infographic and listicleThe padlock and Plus mark show a Kilo Lingo Plus feature. Start your free week to unlock it - no card needed.
Free printable study downloads for the French word "déclencher" (to trigger, to set off, to spark): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 25, lesson 11: déclencher, micro, fièvre and 7 more words.