Kilo Lingo

/fɛʁ.me/

Line drawing of fermer
Coloured illustration of fermer
#582 of 5,000 Core 1000

Translation

to close, to shut

Word origin

From Latin firmare ('to make firm, to strengthen, to fasten'), from firmus ('firm'). The sense shifted from 'to fasten' to 'to close'. English 'firm' and 'confirm' come from the same root.

Origin
Latin
Root
firmare
English cognates
firm, confirm, affirm

Grammar

Verb type-er regular

Conjugation

Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.

Indicative

Person PresentImperfectPast historicFutureConditional
jefermefermaisfermaifermeraifermerais
tufermesfermaisfermasfermerasfermerais
il/ellefermefermaitfermafermerafermerait
nousfermonsfermionsfermâmesfermeronsfermerions
vousfermezfermiezfermâtesfermerezfermeriez
ils/ellesfermentfermaientfermèrentfermerontfermeraient

Subjunctive

Person PresentImperfect
jefermefermasse
tufermesfermasses
il/ellefermefermât
nousfermionsfermassions
vousfermiezfermassiez
ils/ellesfermentfermassent

Imperative

Person Affirmative
tuferme
nousfermons
vousfermez

Non-finite

Gerund / present participle
fermant
Past participle
fermé · fermée · fermés · fermées

Examples

.

Close the door behind you.

.

The shop closes at eight o'clock.

.

She closed her eyes to sleep.

' .

We are closing the windows because it is cold.

, ' .

Can you close this box, please?

Used in

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This word is part of lesson 12.