Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 verb 11 Min. Lesezeit

coexister

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps coexister in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung coexister in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'coexister' might seem a bit advanced, but you can understand it as a way to say 'live together' in a formal way. Think of it like 'exister' (to exist) with 'co-' (together). You might use it to talk about simple things like animals in a park: 'Les chiens et les chats coexistent.' It is a regular -er verb, so it conjugates just like 'habiter' or 'manger'. At this stage, focus on the fact that it means two things are in the same place at the same time. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet, but recognizing the 'co-' prefix will help you learn other words later like 'collaborer' or 'copain'. Remember that it is a very calm word; it doesn't mean they are fighting or playing, just that they are both there. If you see it in a simple text, just think 'they exist together'. It's a good word to know for describing nature or very basic social groups. Practice saying 'Ils coexistent' to get used to the 'x' sound, which is like the 'gz' in 'example'. This will help you build confidence with more complex French sounds early on. Even if you don't use it every day, knowing 'coexister' makes you sound more precise and intelligent when you describe the world around you.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the A2 level, you can start using 'coexister' to describe more than just animals. You can talk about people in a city or different things in your life. For example, 'Dans ma ville, beaucoup de cultures coexistent.' This is a great way to talk about diversity. You should also learn the structure 'coexister avec'. For example, 'La ville coexiste avec la forêt.' This shows you can link two different ideas. At this level, you are learning to describe your environment in more detail, and 'coexister' is a perfect tool for that. It's more formal than 'vivre ensemble', so use it when you want to sound a bit more serious or academic. You might see it in simple news articles or on posters about living in peace. Pay attention to the conjugation in the present tense: 'je coexiste, tu coexistes, il coexiste, nous coexistons, vous coexistez, ils coexistent.' Since it's a regular verb, it's easy to remember. Try to use it when you describe a landscape where there is a mix of old and new things, like 'Le vieux château coexiste avec les nouveaux immeubles.' This shows you are moving beyond basic vocabulary and starting to use words that express relationships between objects and people.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B1 level, 'coexister' becomes a very useful word for expressing opinions and discussing social issues. This is the level where you start to talk about 'le vivre-ensemble' and how different groups in society get along. You can use 'coexister' to describe abstract concepts, not just physical things. For example, 'La tradition et la modernité coexistent dans ce pays.' This allows you to have more nuanced conversations about culture. You should also become comfortable with the causative construction 'faire coexister'. This is very common at this level. If you are talking about your job, you might say, 'Il est difficile de faire coexister ma vie professionnelle et ma vie privée.' This shows a high level of control over French grammar. You will also encounter 'coexister' in more formal texts, like editorials or history books. You should understand that it implies a certain degree of tolerance or balance. It's not just about being in the same place; it's about the state of being together without conflict. Practice using it with adverbs like 'pacifiquement' or 'harmonieusement' to add more detail to your sentences. This is a key word for the DELF B1 exam, especially in the speaking and writing sections where you might have to discuss society or the environment.

At the B2 level, you should use 'coexister' with precision and understand its philosophical and political weight in French discourse. You will see it used in debates about 'laïcité' (secularism), where the question is often how different religious beliefs can coexister in a public space. You should be able to use it in the subjunctive or conditional to express doubt or hypothetical situations: 'Il est essentiel que toutes les communautés puissent coexister.' At this level, you can also use it to describe complex scientific or ecological systems. For instance, in an essay about the environment, you might write about how 'plusieurs écosystèmes fragiles coexistent dans cette région.' You should also be able to distinguish 'coexister' from its synonyms like 'cohabiter' or 'se côtoyer'. 'Coexister' is the most neutral and broad, whereas 'cohabiter' often has a political or residential connotation. You might also use the noun form 'la coexistence' in your writing. Using this word correctly in a B2 essay shows that you have a sophisticated grasp of French vocabulary and can handle abstract topics with ease. It is a word that appears frequently in high-level media like 'Le Monde' or 'Radio France International', so being comfortable with it is essential for advanced listening and reading comprehension.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 level, 'coexister' is a tool for deep analysis and nuanced expression. You should be able to use it to explore the paradoxes of existence or the complexities of historical narratives. For example, you might discuss how 'des réalités contradictoires coexistent au sein d'une même société,' exploring the tensions and balances involved. You should be sensitive to the stylistic effects of the word. Because it is somewhat formal and clinical, using it in a poetic context can create a striking juxtaposition. You will encounter it in philosophical texts, legal documents, and high-level political theory. At this level, you should also be aware of the historical context of the word, such as 'la coexistence pacifique' during the Cold War, and be able to use such references in your own discourse. Your use of 'coexister' should be flawless, including its integration with complex grammatical structures like relative clauses or gerunds. For example: 'En faisant coexister des styles architecturaux si divers, la ville crée une identité unique.' This shows you can manipulate the word to serve complex rhetorical purposes. You should also be able to discuss the nuances between 'coexistence' and 'intégration', understanding that 'coexistence' might imply a more separate but peaceful state.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'coexister' and can use it with the same ease and nuance as a highly educated native speaker. You understand its place in the history of ideas and can use it to articulate complex philosophical arguments. You might use it to describe the 'coexistence' of different temporalities in a literary work or the 'coexistence' of multiple identities in a post-modern subject. Your use of the word is not just about accuracy but about 'justesse'—choosing the word because it is the only one that captures the exact shade of meaning you intend. You can use it in highly formal oratory or in sophisticated literary criticism. For instance, 'L'œuvre de Proust fait coexister le temps perdu et le temps retrouvé dans une structure circulaire complexe.' You are also aware of any subtle shifts in the word's meaning in contemporary French, such as its use in digital contexts (coexistence of different software or protocols). At this level, 'coexister' is part of a vast, interconnected web of vocabulary that you can draw upon to express the most abstract and refined thoughts. You can also play with the word, using it ironically or metaphorically in ways that show a deep cultural immersion.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

coexister in 30 Sekunden

Coexister means to exist together, often used for groups, ideas, or species sharing a space.
It is a regular -er verb and is intransitive, meaning it doesn't take a direct object.
Commonly used in social, scientific, and political contexts to describe tolerance and balance.
Key structures include 'coexister avec' and the causative 'faire coexister' for balancing things.

The French verb coexister is a sophisticated yet accessible word that translates directly to the English 'to coexist.' At its core, it describes the state of two or more entities, ideas, or species living or existing in the same space or time without necessarily merging or destroying one another. It is a verb of state and relationship, often carrying a connotation of tolerance, balance, or biological necessity. In French culture, which values intellectual debate and secularism (laïcité), the concept of coexistence is frequently discussed in social and political contexts. Whether it is different religions living side-by-side in a neighborhood or two conflicting theories being taught in a university, coexister is the bridge that allows for diversity without immediate conflict.

Social Harmony: Used to describe how different ethnic or religious groups live together in peace. It implies a mutual respect or at least a functional tolerance.

Dans cette ville cosmopolite, plusieurs cultures parviennent à coexister en parfaite harmonie.

Beyond sociology, the word is indispensable in the sciences. In biology, it describes different species sharing an ecosystem. In physics or philosophy, it might describe the simultaneous existence of two phenomena. The beauty of the word lies in its prefix 'co-', derived from the Latin 'cum' (with), which immediately signals a shared experience. It is not a passive existence; it is an active state of being 'with' something else. When you use coexister, you are highlighting the relationship between the subjects as much as their individual survival.

Scientific Context: Describes species in the same habitat. For example, 'Les prédateurs et les proies doivent coexister pour maintenir l’équilibre.'

Le passé et le présent semblent coexister dans les rues pavées de ce vieux village.

In modern French discourse, specifically regarding 'le vivre-ensemble', coexister is often the goal. It suggests that while we may be different, we occupy the same temporal and physical reality. It is a word of maturity, acknowledging that total assimilation is not always the answer, but peaceful shared existence is a necessity. Writers often use it to create a sense of juxtaposition—two things that shouldn't work together, but somehow do.

Abstract Usage: Can be used for emotions: 'La joie et la tristesse peuvent coexister dans le cœur humain.'

Il est difficile de faire coexister des ambitions aussi divergentes.

Ultimately, mastering coexister allows you to speak about complex dynamics. It is a B1 level word because it moves beyond simple descriptions of action into the realm of relationships and abstract concepts. It is a staple of news broadcasts, academic papers, and thoughtful conversations about the state of the world today.

Using coexister correctly requires an understanding of its syntactic structures. Since it is an intransitive verb, it does not act upon an object. Instead, it describes the relationship between subjects. The most common construction is using a plural subject. For instance, 'Ils coexistent' (They coexist). This focuses on the group as a whole. When you want to highlight one entity in relation to another, you must use the preposition avec (with).

The Plural Subject Pattern: Subject (Plural) + coexister. Example: 'Les deux espèces coexistent depuis des millénaires.'

Dans ce jardin, les fleurs sauvages et les plantes cultivées coexistent librement.

Another frequent usage involves the causative construction with faire. Because coexister is a state, we often talk about 'making' things coexist. 'Il est parfois difficile de faire coexister le travail et la vie de famille.' Here, faire coexister functions as a transitive unit meaning 'to bring into coexistence' or 'to balance.' This is particularly common in professional or psychological contexts where management of conflicting priorities is required.

The 'Avec' Pattern: Subject (Singular) + coexister + avec + Object. Example: 'Le chat coexiste avec le chien sans problème.'

Comment la tradition peut-elle coexister avec la modernité radicale ?

In formal writing, coexister can be followed by adverbs that define the quality of the existence. Adverbs like pacifiquement (peacefully), difficilement (with difficulty), or harmonieusement (harmoniously) are standard pairings. This allows the speaker to provide a nuanced view of the situation. It’s not just that they exist together, but how they do so.

Hypothetical Situations: Using the conditional: 'Si nous faisions un effort, nos idées pourraient coexister.'

Les scientifiques se demandent si ces deux virus peuvent coexister dans le même hôte.

Finally, remember that coexister is a regular '-er' verb. Its conjugation follows the same pattern as 'parler' or 'aimer', making it relatively easy to use once you understand the conceptual framework. Whether in the past, present, or future, it remains a powerful tool for describing the complexities of a shared world.

You are likely to encounter coexister in several specific domains of French life. First and foremost is the media. When news anchors discuss international relations or social issues within France, coexister is a key term. It’s often used in debates about the 'banlieues' (suburbs) or the integration of immigrants. It suggests a level of societal analysis that goes deeper than just 'living in the same country.' It touches on the philosophical foundations of the French Republic.

News & Politics: Used by commentators to discuss geopolitical 'coexistence' between nations or internal social peace.

Le ministre a insisté sur la nécessité de faire coexister la sécurité et les libertés individuelles.

In academic and scientific settings, coexister is the standard term. If you are reading a French textbook on ecology, biology, or history, you will see it frequently. It describes how different eras overlap or how different species share a niche. It is a 'clean' word—precise and objective. In a university lecture, a professor might use it to describe the 'coexistence' of different literary movements during the 19th century.

Documentaries: Often used to describe historical periods or animal behaviors: 'Ici, l'homme et la nature coexistent depuis toujours.'

Dans ce documentaire, on voit comment les traditions païennes ont pu coexister avec le christianisme.

Interestingly, you might also hear it in urban planning or architecture. French cities are often a mix of ancient Roman ruins, medieval streets, and ultra-modern glass buildings. Architects will talk about 'faire coexister l'ancien et le nouveau' (making the old and the new coexist). This reflects a cultural pride in preserving history while embracing the future. It’s a word that captures the visual reality of cities like Paris, Lyon, or Bordeaux.

Cultural Debates: Common in discussions about 'Laïcité' (secularism) and how different beliefs can exist in a neutral public space.

Est-il possible de faire coexister la liberté d'expression et le respect des croyances ?

So, while you might not use coexister to ask your roommate to do the dishes, you will certainly need it to understand a French editorial, follow a political podcast, or discuss the complexities of modern society. It is a word of the 'esprit' (mind) and the 'cité' (community).

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with coexister is treating it as a transitive verb. In English, we sometimes say 'to coexist something,' but in French, coexister is strictly intransitive. You cannot 'coexister une idée' (coexist an idea). You must either have the ideas as the subject ('Les idées coexistent') or use the causative 'faire' ('Faire coexister les idées'). This is a subtle but vital distinction for sounding natural.

The Transitivity Trap: Mistake: 'Nous devons coexister nos différences.' Correct: 'Nous devons faire coexister nos différences.'

Il est impossible de coexister (Incorrect) -> Il est impossible de les faire coexister (Correct).

Another mistake involves the redundancy of 'ensemble' (together). Because the prefix 'co-' already implies 'together,' adding 'ensemble' after the verb is considered a pleonasm in formal French. While you might hear it in very casual speech, it is better to avoid it in writing. 'Ils coexistent ensemble' is like saying 'They coexist together'—the 'together' is already inside the verb.

Preposition Errors: Learners often try to use 'à' or 'de' after the verb. Remember: the only preposition that works with 'coexister' is 'avec'.

Elle coexiste avec (Correct) ses rivaux, pas 'à' ses rivaux.

Pronunciation can also be a hurdle. Some learners try to pronounce it like the English 'co-exist' with a strong break. In French, the 'o' and the 'e' are separate syllables but flow smoothly: /ko.ɛɡ.zis.te/. Don't let the 'x' trip you up—it sounds like /ɡz/ as in 'exemple', not /ks/ as in 'taxi'.

Confusing with 'Cohabiter': 'Cohabiter' specifically means living in the same house. 'Coexister' is broader. Don't use 'coexister' for roommates unless you're being very poetic or clinical.

Mes colocataires et moi cohabitons (better for living together) dans un petit appartement.

Finally, be careful with the context. Using coexister for very simple, physical things can sometimes sound overly dramatic or scientific. If you just want to say two things are on a table, use 'se trouver'. Reserve coexister for when the 'existence' part is the focus of your point.

To truly master coexister, you should understand where it sits in the landscape of similar French verbs. Depending on the nuance you want to convey—whether it's physical living, political cooperation, or simple presence—you might choose a different word. The most common alternative is cohabiter, which is more specific to living arrangements or, in a French political sense, when a President and Prime Minister from different parties must work together.

Coexister vs. Cohabiter: 'Coexister' is abstract/general; 'Cohabiter' is physical/residential or specifically political. Use 'cohabiter' for roommates.

Les deux partis doivent cohabiter au sein du gouvernement pour éviter une crise.

Another synonym is se côtoyer. This verb implies a closer, more frequent contact, literally 'to rub shoulders'. If coexister is about being in the same space, se côtoyer is about the interaction that happens there. People who se côtoient see each other regularly. It's often used for colleagues or neighbors who don't necessarily know each other well but are constantly in each other's vicinity.

Coexister vs. Se côtoyer: 'Coexister' is neutral; 'Se côtoyer' suggests physical proximity and occasional interaction.

Dans ce quartier, les riches et les pauvres se côtoient sans vraiment se parler.

If you want to emphasize the 'living' aspect in a social sense, the phrase vivre ensemble is very popular. It is less formal than coexister and carries a warmer, more human connotation. It is also a noun: le vivre-ensemble, which is a major concept in French social policy. If coexister is the 'what', vivre ensemble is often the 'how'.

Coexister vs. Vivre ensemble: 'Coexister' is more clinical/formal; 'Vivre ensemble' is more social/humanistic.

Apprendre à vivre ensemble est le plus grand défi de notre siècle.

Finally, for technical contexts, you might use concomitance (concomitance) or simultanéité (simultaneity). These are nouns, but they describe the 'coexisting' of events in time. If you are describing two things happening at once, coexister is the verb that brings that simultaneity to life.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'exister' itself comes from 'ex' (out) and 'sistere' (to stand). So 'coexister' literally means 'to stand out together'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ko.ɛɡ.zis.te/

US /ko.ɛɡ.zis.te/

In French, the stress is always on the last syllable: co-ex-is-TER.

Reimt sich auf

exister insister assister résister persister pister lister trister (rare)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'x' as 'ks' (like in taxi). It should be 'gz'.
Treating 'co-' and 'exister' as two separate words with a pause.
Mispronouncing the 'e' in 'exister' as a schwa.
Pronouncing the final 'r' (it is silent).
Stress on the 'co' instead of the end of the word.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate with English.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires knowledge of causative 'faire' and correct prepositions.

Sprechen 4/5

The 'x' pronunciation /ɡz/ can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 3/5

Clear four-syllable word that is easy to hear in formal speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

exister vivre avec ensemble faire

Als Nächstes lernen

cohabiter concomitant simultané tolérance intégration

Fortgeschritten

ontologie métaphysique laïcité pluralisme écosystème

Wichtige Grammatik

Regular -er verb conjugation

Nous coexistons, ils coexistent.

Causative 'faire' with infinitive

Il faut faire coexister ces éléments.

Preposition 'avec' with intransitive verbs

Je coexiste avec mes voisins.

Infinitive as a subject

Coexister est parfois un défi.

Adverb placement after the verb

Ils coexistent harmonieusement.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

Le chien et le chat coexistent.

The dog and the cat coexist.

Simple present tense, plural subject.

Les fleurs coexistent dans le jardin.

The flowers coexist in the garden.

Regular -er verb conjugation.

Deux pays coexistent ici.

Two countries coexist here.

Subject 'Deux pays' is plural.

Ils coexistent sans problème.

They coexist without any problem.

Use of the adverbial phrase 'sans problème'.

Le soleil et la lune coexistent parfois le matin.

The sun and the moon sometimes coexist in the morning.

Temporal adverb 'parfois'.

Nous coexistons dans cette maison.

We coexist in this house.

First person plural conjugation.

Les oiseaux coexistent dans l'arbre.

The birds coexist in the tree.

Plural noun subject.

La pluie et le soleil coexistent pour faire un arc-en-ciel.

The rain and the sun coexist to make a rainbow.

Infinitive 'faire' follows the main verb.

La ville coexiste avec la nature environnante.

The city coexists with the surrounding nature.

Use of 'avec' to link subject and object.

Plusieurs cultures coexistent dans ce quartier.

Several cultures coexist in this neighborhood.

Plural subject with 'Plusieurs'.

Le passé coexiste avec le présent dans ce musée.

The past coexists with the present in this museum.

Abstract subjects 'le passé' and 'le présent'.

Les voitures et les vélos coexistent sur la route.

Cars and bikes coexist on the road.

Plural subjects joined by 'et'.

Est-ce que ces deux idées peuvent coexister ?

Can these two ideas coexist?

Interrogative with 'pouvoir' + infinitive.

Les animaux sauvages coexistent avec les fermiers.

Wild animals coexist with the farmers.

Plural subject and 'avec' construction.

Le silence coexiste avec le bruit du vent.

Silence coexists with the sound of the wind.

Abstract subject.

Ils ont appris à coexister pacifiquement.

They learned to coexist peacefully.

Passé composé with 'appris à' + infinitive.

Il est difficile de faire coexister le travail et la famille.

It is difficult to make work and family coexist.

Causative 'faire coexister'.

Les traditions coexistent avec les nouvelles technologies.

Traditions coexist with new technologies.

Contrast between tradition and modernity.

Dans cette région, deux langues coexistent officiellement.

In this region, two languages coexist officially.

Adverb 'officiellement'.

Nous devons trouver un moyen de coexister.

We must find a way to coexist.

Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive.

La joie et la peine coexistent souvent dans la vie.

Joy and sorrow often coexist in life.

Abstract emotional subjects.

Les différentes espèces coexistent dans cet écosystème.

The different species coexist in this ecosystem.

Scientific context.

Le projet fait coexister plusieurs styles architecturaux.

The project makes several architectural styles coexist.

Causative 'fait coexister'.

Ils coexistent depuis des siècles sans conflit.

They have coexisted for centuries without conflict.

Present tense used with 'depuis' for ongoing action.

La laïcité permet à différentes religions de coexister.

Secularism allows different religions to coexist.

Social/Political context.

Il est fascinant de voir comment ces théories coexistent.

It is fascinating to see how these theories coexist.

Indirect question with 'comment'.

L'entreprise essaie de faire coexister innovation et rentabilité.

The company is trying to make innovation and profitability coexist.

Business context with causative 'faire'.

Peuvent-ils coexister malgré leurs différences fondamentales ?

Can they coexist despite their fundamental differences?

Interrogative with 'malgré'.

La coexistence pacifique était un concept clé de la guerre froide.

Peaceful coexistence was a key concept of the Cold War.

Use of the noun 'coexistence'.

Le film fait coexister le rêve et la réalité de manière fluide.

The film makes dream and reality coexist in a fluid way.

Artistic/Literary context.

Ces deux virus peuvent coexister chez le même patient.

These two viruses can coexist in the same patient.

Medical context.

Il faut apprendre à coexister avec l'incertitude.

One must learn to coexist with uncertainty.

Philosophical usage.

Le texte fait coexister plusieurs niveaux de narration.

The text makes several levels of narration coexist.

Literary analysis.

La structure sociale permet à des classes divergentes de coexister.

The social structure allows divergent classes to coexist.

Sociological context.

Il est rare de voir une telle harmonie coexister avec un tel chaos.

It is rare to see such harmony coexist with such chaos.

Complex juxtaposition.

Le droit international vise à faire coexister les souverainetés nationales.

International law aims to make national sovereignties coexist.

Legal/Political context.

Dans son œuvre, le sacré et le profane coexistent sans cesse.

In his work, the sacred and the profane coexist constantly.

Thematic analysis.

La coexistence de ces deux phénomènes reste inexpliquée.

The coexistence of these two phenomena remains unexplained.

Noun subject 'La coexistence'.

Peut-on faire coexister éthique et profit dans le capitalisme actuel ?

Can ethics and profit be made to coexist in current capitalism?

Rhetorical question.

L'auteur parvient à faire coexister l'humour et la tragédie.

The author manages to make humor and tragedy coexist.

Causative with 'parvenir à'.

La phénoménologie explore comment le sujet et l'objet coexistent dans la perception.

Phenomenology explores how the subject and the object coexist in perception.

Philosophical discourse.

L'œuvre magistrale fait coexister une multitude de voix discordantes.

The masterful work makes a multitude of discordant voices coexist.

Advanced literary criticism.

Il s'agit de faire coexister l'exigence de vérité et le respect de la vie privée.

It is a matter of making the demand for truth and respect for privacy coexist.

Ethical/Legal nuance.

La coexistence ontologique de ces deux réalités pose un dilemme métaphysique.

The ontological coexistence of these two realities poses a metaphysical dilemma.

High-level academic terminology.

L'urbanisme moderne doit faire coexister densité et qualité de vie.

Modern urban planning must make density and quality of life coexist.

Technical/Social policy.

Le poète fait coexister le silence des mots et le tumulte des émotions.

The poet makes the silence of words and the tumult of emotions coexist.

Poetic/Abstract usage.

La coexistence de régimes politiques si disparates au sein de l'Union est un défi.

The coexistence of such disparate political regimes within the Union is a challenge.

Geopolitical analysis.

Il parvient à faire coexister l'archaïsme du style et la modernité du propos.

He manages to make the archaism of style and the modernity of the subject coexist.

Stylistic analysis.

Häufige Kollokationen

coexister pacifiquement

faire coexister

coexister harmonieusement

difficilement coexister

coexister avec succès

coexister dans le temps

coexister sur un territoire

coexister au sein de

pouvoir coexister

coexister côte à côte

Häufige Phrasen

Apprendre à coexister

— To develop the skills or tolerance needed to live together.

Les nouveaux voisins doivent apprendre à coexister.

La nécessité de coexister

— The unavoidable need to share a space or time.

Il a souligné la nécessité de coexister dans un monde globalisé.

Coexister malgré tout

— To continue existing together despite difficulties or conflicts.

Ils parviennent à coexister malgré tout.

Faire coexister les contraires

— To balance two opposing things or ideas.

Son style fait coexister les contraires.

Coexister dans l'espace public

— A common phrase in debates about secularism and diversity.

Toutes les croyances doivent coexister dans l'espace public.

Une coexistence pacifique

— A state of peace between different groups.

Nous aspirons à une coexistence pacifique.

Coexister avec son passé

— To live with the memories or consequences of one's history.

Il est difficile de coexister avec son passé.

Coexister avec la technologie

— How humans and machines live together.

L'homme doit apprendre à coexister avec la technologie.

Coexister dans la douleur

— When two people or things share a difficult state.

Ils coexistent dans la douleur depuis l'accident.

Coexister en silence

— To be together without communication.

Ils se contentent de coexister en silence.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

coexister vs cohabiter

Cohabiter is specifically for living in the same home or political power-sharing.

coexister vs exister

Exister is just 'to be', while coexister requires at least two entities.

coexister vs collaborer

Collaborer means working together actively, coexister is just being together.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Faire bon ménage avec"

— To get along well with something, often used for ideas or qualities.

L'élégance fait bon ménage avec la simplicité.

Informal

"Vivre en bonne intelligence"

— To live together in a sensible and peaceful way.

Les deux pays vivent en bonne intelligence.

Formal

"Être sur la même longueur d'onde"

— To be in total agreement (the opposite of just 'coexisting').

Nous sommes sur la même longueur d'onde.

Informal

"Chacun chez soi"

— Everyone in their own place (the alternative to coexistence).

Pour éviter les disputes, c'est chacun chez soi.

Informal

"Faire chambre à part"

— To sleep in separate rooms (a physical lack of coexistence).

Ils font chambre à part depuis un mois.

Neutral

"Ménager la chèvre et le chou"

— To try to satisfy two opposing parties (to force coexistence).

Le médiateur essaie de ménager la chèvre et le chou.

Idiomatic

"Être comme chien et chat"

— To be constantly fighting (difficult coexistence).

Ces deux frères sont comme chien et chat.

Informal

"Vivre en vase clos"

— To live in a closed environment without outside coexistence.

Cette communauté vit en vase clos.

Neutral

"Trouver un terrain d'entente"

— To find common ground for coexistence.

Ils ont enfin trouvé un terrain d'entente.

Neutral

"Faire bloc"

— To stand together as one (a very strong form of coexistence).

Ils font bloc contre l'ennemi.

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

coexister vs cohabiter

Both mean 'living together'.

Cohabiter is more physical/domestic; Coexister is more abstract/general.

On cohabite dans cet appart, mais on coexiste dans cette ville.

coexister vs concordonner

Both relate to things happening together.

Concordonner means to match or agree; Coexister just means being there at the same time.

Leurs montres concordent, mais leurs vies coexistent.

coexister vs simultané

Both involve the same time.

Simultané is an adjective for events; Coexister is a verb for entities.

Les cris étaient simultanés pendant qu'ils coexistaient.

coexister vs s'entendre

Related to social harmony.

S'entendre means to get along; Coexister can be peaceful or just neutral.

Ils coexistent mais ils ne s'entendent pas du tout.

coexister vs fusionner

Opposite of coexistence.

Fusionner means to become one; Coexister means staying separate but together.

Les entreprises n'ont pas fusionné, elles coexistent.

Satzmuster

[Subject] coexiste.

Le chat coexiste.

[Subject] coexiste avec [Object].

Il coexiste avec son frère.

Faire coexister [A] et [B].

On doit faire coexister le sport et l'école.

Apprendre à coexister.

Ils apprennent à coexister.

Permettre à [Subject] de coexister.

La loi permet aux cultes de coexister.

[Subject] coexistent pacifiquement.

Les nations coexistent pacifiquement.

La coexistence de [A] et [B].

La coexistence de ces styles est belle.

Faire coexister l'exigence de [A] et de [B].

Faire coexister l'exigence de vérité et de tact.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

coexistence The state of existing together.

existence The state of existing.

Verben

exister To exist.

réexister To exist again.

Adjektive

coexistant Existing at the same time.

existant Existing.

Verwandt

cohabiter

coopération

collaboration

simultanéité

concomitance

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in media, academic, and formal social discourse.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'ensemble' with 'coexister'. → Ils coexistent.
Adding 'ensemble' is redundant because the 'co-' prefix already means 'together'.
Pronouncing 'x' as /ks/. → Pronounce as /ɡz/.
The 'x' between two vowels in 'coexister' is voiced, like in 'exemple'.
Using 'coexister' as a transitive verb (e.g., 'coexister les gens'). → Faire coexister les gens.
Coexister is intransitive; it cannot take a direct object. Use 'faire' for the causative sense.
Using the preposition 'à' after coexister. → Coexister avec.
The only correct preposition to link 'coexister' to another entity is 'avec'.
Using it for simple physical placement (e.g., 'Le livre coexiste avec le stylo'). → Le livre est à côté du stylo.
Coexister is usually reserved for more significant, long-term, or abstract existences.

Tipps

Avoid Redundancy

Don't say 'coexister ensemble'. The prefix 'co-' already means 'together'. Just 'coexister' is perfect and more elegant.

Voice the X

Remember the 'x' sounds like 'gz'. Think of the English word 'example'. This will make your French sound much more authentic.

Use with Adverbs

Pair 'coexister' with adverbs like 'pacifiquement' (peacefully) or 'difficilement' (with difficulty) to add more nuance to your sentences.

Think Socially

Use this word when discussing diversity, religion, or neighborhood life. It's a very 'republican' word in the French sense of shared values.

Master 'Faire Coexister'

Learn the pattern 'faire coexister [X] et [Y]'. It's the best way to talk about balancing different priorities in your life.

Elevate Your Style

In essays, replace 'vivre ensemble' with 'coexister' when you want to sound more analytical or objective.

News Keyword

Listen for this word in reports about the Middle East or social integration in France; it's a very common 'keyword'.

Ecology Context

Use it to describe how animals and plants share an environment. It's the standard scientific term in French biology.

Cold War Reference

Knowing 'la coexistence pacifique' helps you understand historical texts about the 20th century.

Emotional Balance

Don't be afraid to use it for feelings. 'La peur et le courage coexistent' is a very powerful and poetic sentence.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of the 'CO' as 'COmpany'. When you COexist, you are in the COmpany of someone else's existence.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a 'COEXIST' bumper sticker where different religious symbols are used to spell the word. This is a very common visual reference.

Word Web

Vivre Ensemble Paix Tolérance Espace Temps Harmonie Société

Herausforderung

Try to write three sentences using 'coexister': one about animals, one about your personal life, and one about a political issue.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin prefix 'co-' (together) and the verb 'existere' (to emerge, to appear, to be).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To stand out or emerge together.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be aware that in political debates, 'coexister' can sometimes imply a lack of integration, which is a sensitive topic in France.

The English 'coexist' is identical in meaning, but the French 'coexister' is used more frequently in formal political and philosophical debates.

Coexistence (NGO) - A famous French youth movement. Coexistence pacifique - A historical term from the Cold War. Le Vivre-ensemble - A related cultural concept in France.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Social Issues

vivre-ensemble
respect mutuel
diversité culturelle
espace public

Ecology

habitat naturel
chaîne alimentaire
équilibre fragile
biodiversité

History

guerre froide
traités de paix
frontières
influences

Science

simultanément
interaction
phénomène
observation

Personal Life

vie privée
vie pro
équilibre
colocation

Gesprächseinstiege

"Penses-tu que différentes religions peuvent coexister pacifiquement ?"

"Comment fais-tu pour faire coexister ton travail et tes loisirs ?"

"Est-ce que l'homme peut vraiment coexister avec la nature sauvage ?"

"Quelles sont les difficultés pour faire coexister plusieurs cultures dans une ville ?"

"Peut-on faire coexister la liberté et la sécurité totale ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décrivez une situation où vous avez dû coexister avec quelqu'un de très différent de vous.

Analysez comment la tradition et la modernité coexistent dans votre pays d'origine.

Réfléchissez à l'équilibre nécessaire pour faire coexister vos différentes passions.

Imaginez un futur où les humains et les robots coexistent au quotidien.

Discutez de l'importance de la coexistence pacifique dans le monde actuel.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, 'coexister' is a regular -er verb (1st group). It follows the same conjugation pattern as 'aimer' or 'parler'. This makes it very easy to use once you know the basic endings: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent.

Technically yes, but 'cohabiter' or 'être en coloc' is much more natural for people living in the same apartment. 'Coexister' sounds a bit clinical or scientific when used for a small domestic space unless you are making a specific point about your relationship.

The verb 'coexister' is followed by the preposition 'avec' when you want to mention the other entity. For example: 'Le loup coexiste avec l'agneau.' If you have a plural subject, no preposition is needed: 'Ils coexistent.'

In formal French, it is considered a pleonasm (a redundancy) because 'co-' already means 'together'. It is better to just say 'Ils coexistent'. However, in casual conversation, you might hear people say it for emphasis.

'Coexister' is a state of being in the same space/time. 'Se côtoyer' implies a level of physical proximity where people actually see or pass each other frequently, like colleagues in a hallway. 'Coexister' is broader and can be more abstract.

The 'x' is pronounced like 'gz' (/ɡz/), similar to the 'x' in the English word 'exist'. It is not a sharp 'ks' sound like in 'box'. This is a common point of confusion for English learners.

Yes, it is very common in literature and psychology to say that conflicting emotions coexist. For example: 'L'amour et la haine peuvent coexister.' This adds a sophisticated layer to your descriptions of feelings.

This is a causative construction meaning 'to make things coexist' or 'to balance things'. It is very useful for talking about work-life balance or managing different parts of a project. 'Je dois faire coexister mes études et mon job.'

Yes, 'la coexistence' is very common, especially in the phrase 'la coexistence pacifique' or when discussing 'la coexistence des cultures'. It follows the same logic as the verb.

It is generally considered a B1 level word. While the concept is simple (A1/A2), using it correctly in social and abstract contexts is a hallmark of an intermediate to advanced learner.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen