Translation
to obey (obéir à)
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Word origin
From Latin oboedire, built on ob ('towards') and audire ('to hear'). To obey is first of all to listen.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- oboedire
- English cognates
- obey, audience
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -ir (finir-style) conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | obéis | obéissais | obéis | obéirai | obéirais |
| tu | obéis | obéissais | obéis | obéiras | obéirais |
| il/elle | obéit | obéissait | obéit | obéira | obéirait |
| nous | obéissons | obéissions | obéîmes | obéirons | obéirions |
| vous | obéissez | obéissiez | obéîtes | obéirez | obéiriez |
| ils/elles | obéissent | obéissaient | obéirent | obéiront | obéiraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | obéisse | obéisse |
| tu | obéisses | obéisses |
| il/elle | obéisse | obéît |
| nous | obéissions | obéissions |
| vous | obéissiez | obéissiez |
| ils/elles | obéissent | obéissent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | obéis |
| nous | obéissons |
| vous | obéissez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- obéissant
- Past participle
- obéi · obéie · obéis · obéies
Examples
.
The soldiers obey orders.
.
This dog refuses to obey.
.
We obey because we are afraid.
.
She always did as her father told her.
, .
Do as you are told, or you will regret it.
Where this fits
Used in
Grammar articles
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "obéir" (to obey (obéir à)): 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 27, lesson 3: obéir, bourse, motif and 7 more words.