/syʁ.vɛ.je/
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Translation
to watch, to keep an eye on, to supervise
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Word origin
From sur- ('over') plus veiller ('to keep watch, to stay awake'), which comes from Latin vigilare, from vigil ('awake, watchful'). English took surveillance straight from the French noun.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- vigilare
- English cognates
- surveillance, vigil, vigilant
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | surveille | surveillais | surveillai | surveillerai | surveillerais |
| tu | surveilles | surveillais | surveillas | surveilleras | surveillerais |
| il/elle | surveille | surveillait | surveilla | surveillera | surveillerait |
| nous | surveillons | surveillions | surveillâmes | surveillerons | surveillerions |
| vous | surveillez | surveilliez | surveillâtes | surveillerez | surveilleriez |
| ils/elles | surveillent | surveillaient | surveillèrent | surveilleront | surveilleraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | surveille | surveillasse |
| tu | surveilles | surveillasses |
| il/elle | surveille | surveillât |
| nous | surveillions | surveillassions |
| vous | surveilliez | surveillassiez |
| ils/elles | surveillent | surveillassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | surveille |
| nous | surveillons |
| vous | surveillez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- surveillant
- Past participle
- surveillé · surveillée · surveillés · surveillées
Examples
- ?
Can you keep an eye on the children while I do the shopping?
.
The police have been watching the area for several weeks.
cuisson, .
You have to watch the cooking, otherwise the cake burns.
.
My doctor monitors my blood pressure every month.
.
Watch your language in front of your grandmother.
Where this fits
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French · Free printables
surveiller: 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 "surveiller" (to watch, to keep an eye on, to supervise): 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 12, lesson 3: surveiller, méchant, lieutenant and 7 more words.