Translation
to hesitate, to think twice
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Word origin
From Latin haesitare ('to stick fast, to stammer'), a frequentative of haerere ('to cling'). English 'hesitate' and 'adhere' share the root.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- haesitare
- English cognates
- hesitate, adhere
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | hésite | hésitais | hésitai | hésiterai | hésiterais |
| tu | hésites | hésitais | hésitas | hésiteras | hésiterais |
| il/elle | hésite | hésitait | hésita | hésitera | hésiterait |
| nous | hésitons | hésitions | hésitâmes | hésiterons | hésiterions |
| vous | hésitez | hésitiez | hésitâtes | hésiterez | hésiteriez |
| ils/elles | hésitent | hésitaient | hésitèrent | hésiteront | hésiteraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | hésite | hésitasse |
| tu | hésites | hésitasses |
| il/elle | hésite | hésitât |
| nous | hésitions | hésitassions |
| vous | hésitiez | hésitassiez |
| ils/elles | hésitent | hésitassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | hésite |
| nous | hésitons |
| vous | hésitez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- hésitant
- Past participle
- hésité · hésitée · hésités · hésitées
Examples
.
She is still torn between the two dresses.
.
Do not hesitate to ask questions.
.
He hesitated a long while before answering.
.
We were reluctant to leave without him.
, .
Without hesitating, she jumped into the cold water.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(4)Grammar articles
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "hésiter" (to hesitate, to think twice): 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 24, lesson 6: hésiter, cage, davantage and 7 more words.