/de.tɑ̃dʁ/
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Translation
to relax, to loosen
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Word origin
From dé- ('un-, reversal') and tendre ('to stretch, to tighten'), from Latin tendere ('to stretch'). English 'tension', 'tend' and 'distend' come from the same Latin verb.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- tendere
- English cognates
- tension, distend, tender
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -re (vendre-style) conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | détends | détendais | détenis | détendrai | détendrais |
| tu | détends | détendais | détenis | détendras | détendrais |
| il/elle | détend | détendait | détenit | détendra | détendrait |
| nous | détendons | détendions | détenîmes | détendrons | détendrions |
| vous | détendez | détendiez | détenîtes | détendrez | détendriez |
| ils/elles | détendent | détendaient | détenirent | détendront | détendraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | détende | détenisse |
| tu | détendes | détenisses |
| il/elle | détende | détenît |
| nous | détendions | détenissions |
| vous | détendiez | détenissiez |
| ils/elles | détendent | détenissent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | détends |
| nous | détendons |
| vous | détendez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- détendant
- Past participle
- détenu
Examples
.
I relax better with a book than with the television.
-, .
Relax, everything is going to be fine.
.
This music relaxes you straight away.
.
You have to loosen the rope before putting it away.
détendu .
His joke lightened the atmosphere.
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "détendre" (to relax, to loosen): 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 17, lesson 2: détendre, remplacer, relever and 7 more words.