Translation
to bother, to inconvenience, to embarrass
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Word origin
From Old French gehiner ('to torture, to torment'), from gehine ('torture, confession extracted under torture'), of Hebrew-Biblical origin through the Latin Gehenna. The sense weakened over the centuries from 'torment' to 'inconvenience'.
- Origin
- Old French
- Root
- gehiner
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | gêne | gênais | gênai | gênerai | gênerais |
| tu | gênes | gênais | gênas | gêneras | gênerais |
| il/elle | gêne | gênait | gêna | gênera | gênerait |
| nous | gênons | gênions | gênâmes | gênerons | gênerions |
| vous | gênez | gêniez | gênâtes | gênerez | gêneriez |
| ils/elles | gênent | gênaient | gênèrent | gêneront | gêneraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | gêne | gênasse |
| tu | gênes | gênasses |
| il/elle | gêne | gênât |
| nous | gênions | gênassions |
| vous | gêniez | gênassiez |
| ils/elles | gênent | gênassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | gêne |
| nous | gênons |
| vous | gênez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- gênant
- Past participle
- gêné · gênée · gênés · gênées
Examples
?
Do you mind if I open the window?
.
His personal questions make me uncomfortable.
.
Your suitcase is blocking the way in the corridor.
.
I would not like to disturb you while you are working.
.
This situation has been troubling him for months.
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French · Free printables
gêner: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "gêner" (to bother, to inconvenience, to embarrass): 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 weekThis word is taught in chapter 28, lesson 3: gêner, soulager, relax and 7 more words.