Translation
to turn, to veer; to transfer (money); (informal) to sack
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Word origin
A nautical word first, meaning to turn a ship or a capstan, and the source of English 'veer'. Its Latin ancestor is disputed.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- *virare
- English cognates
- veer
Other proposed origins
- Most often traced to a Vulgar Latin virare, itself an alteration of gyrare ('to turn round'), from Greek gyros. (gyrare)
- Some accounts derive it instead from Latin vibrare ('to shake, to brandish'), with the sense sliding towards turning. (vibrare)
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | vire | virais | virai | virerai | virerais |
| tu | vires | virais | viras | vireras | virerais |
| il/elle | vire | virait | vira | virera | virerait |
| nous | virons | virions | virâmes | virerons | virerions |
| vous | virez | viriez | virâtes | virerez | vireriez |
| ils/elles | virent | viraient | virèrent | vireront | vireraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | vire | virasse |
| tu | vires | virasses |
| il/elle | vire | virât |
| nous | virions | virassions |
| vous | viriez | virassiez |
| ils/elles | virent | virassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | vire |
| nous | virons |
| vous | virez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- virant
- Past participle
- viré · virée · virés · virées
Examples
.
The car veered left without warning.
.
I will transfer the money to you tomorrow morning.
.
The sky was turning pink above the rooftops.
.
They sacked him after three warnings.
, .
Get your things off the sofa, we would like to sit down.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "virer" (to turn, to veer; to transfer (money); (informal) to sack): 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 11, lesson 6: virer, signifier, compagnie and 7 more words.