Translation
to pity, to feel sorry for; (se plaindre) to complain
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Word origin
From Latin plangere ('to strike, to beat the breast in grief, to lament'). English 'plaintive', 'complain' and 'plaintiff' descend from the same verb.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- plangere
- English cognates
- plaintive, complain, plaintiff
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular french-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | plains | plaignais | plaignis | plaindrai | plaindrais |
| tu | plains | plaignais | plaignis | plaindras | plaindrais |
| il/elle | plaint | plaignait | plaignit | plaindra | plaindrait |
| nous | plaignons | plaignions | plaignîmes | plaindrons | plaindrions |
| vous | plaignez | plaigniez | plaignîtes | plaindrez | plaindriez |
| ils/elles | plaignent | plaignaient | plaignirent | plaindront | plaindraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | plaigne | plaignisse |
| tu | plaignes | plaignisses |
| il/elle | plaigne | plaignît |
| nous | plaignions | plaignissions |
| vous | plaigniez | plaignissiez |
| ils/elles | plaignent | plaignissent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | plains |
| nous | plaignons |
| vous | plaignez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- plaignant
- Past participle
- plaint · plainte · plaints · plaintes
Examples
, .
I feel sorry for him, he lost everything in one night.
, -.
She is not to be pitied, believe me.
.
Stop complaining and come and help us.
.
The neighbours complained about the noise to the caretaker.
, .
If the service is unsatisfactory, you may complain in writing.
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French · Free printables
plaindre: worksheet, infographic and listicleThe padlock and Plus mark show a Kilo Lingo Plus feature. Start your free week to unlock it - no card needed.
Free printable study downloads for the French word "plaindre" (to pity, to feel sorry for; (se plaindre) to complain): 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 19, lesson 6: plaindre, souris, agence and 7 more words.