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B1 verb 10 Min. Lesezeit

desserrer

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Erklärung desserrer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'desserrer' as a word for personal comfort. You will mostly use it to talk about your clothes. For example, if your shoes are too tight, you can say 'Je desserre mes chaussures'. It is the opposite of 'serrer' (to tighten). You might also hear it in very simple commands, like a doctor saying 'desserrez votre bras' during a check-up. Focus on the physical action of making something less tight. It is a useful word for basic needs and expressing physical discomfort.

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'desserrer' in more varied everyday contexts. You might use it when talking about simple household tasks, like 'desserrer un bouchon' (loosening a cap) or 'desserrer une ceinture' (loosening a belt). You are also becoming familiar with the reflexive form 'se desserrer', which is used when something becomes loose by itself, like 'mon lacet se desserre'. You can now use the word to describe simple problems and their solutions in the past tense, such as 'J'ai desserré ma cravate car il faisait chaud'.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'desserrer' in both physical and slightly more abstract contexts. You can use it in mechanical situations ('desserrer un écrou') and understand its use in common idioms like 'desserrer les dents' (to finally speak). You can also use it to describe the relaxation of pressure in a metaphorical sense, like 'desserrer la pression' at work. You should be able to conjugate it correctly in various tenses and understand the nuance between 'desserrer' and its synonyms like 'relâcher' or 'détendre'.

At the B2 level, you can use 'desserrer' with more precision in professional and formal contexts. You will encounter it in news articles discussing economics or politics, such as 'desserrer l'étau des sanctions'. You understand the subtle differences in register and can use the word to describe complex physical or social dynamics. You are also aware of the technical uses in fields like engineering or medicine. Your use of the word is natural, and you can easily switch between literal and figurative meanings depending on the topic of conversation.

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the stylistic and literary potential of 'desserrer'. You can use it to add descriptive depth to your writing, such as describing how a character 'desserre son emprise' on a memory or a secret. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how they influence its current usage. You are capable of using the word in highly specialized contexts, such as legal or philosophical discussions about the 'desserrement' (loosening) of rules or constraints. Your mastery allows you to use the word with full awareness of its connotations.

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At the C2 level, 'desserrer' is a tool for total linguistic precision. You can use it to convey the most subtle shifts in tension, whether physical, emotional, or structural. You might use it in a poetic sense to describe the changing of seasons or the slow release of a long-held tension in a narrative. You are also fully comfortable with the most obscure idiomatic uses and can play with the word's meaning in creative writing or high-level debate. The word is part of a vast and nuanced vocabulary that you use with effortless accuracy and sophistication.

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Desserrer means to loosen something that is tight.
It is the direct opposite of the verb 'serrer'.
Commonly used for clothes, knots, screws, and grips.
Can be used metaphorically for easing pressure or speaking.

The French verb desserrer is a versatile and essential term that primarily translates to "to loosen" or "to slacken" in English. At its core, it describes the action of reducing the pressure, tension, or tightness of an object that is currently constricted or held firmly. Whether you are dealing with a physical object like a bolt, a piece of clothing like a belt, or a metaphorical situation like a social grip, desserrer is the go-to verb. It is the direct opposite of serrer (to tighten, to squeeze, or to shake hands). Understanding this word is crucial for navigating everyday French life, from DIY repairs to simply feeling comfortable in your clothes after a large meal at a French bistro.

Physical Loosening: This is the most common usage. It refers to making a knot less tight, unscrewing a nut slightly, or relaxing one's grip on an object. For example, if you are holding a rope too tightly, someone might tell you to 'desserrer ta prise'.
Comfort and Clothing: In the context of fashion and personal comfort, you 'desserrer' your tie (cravate), your belt (ceinture), or your shoelaces (lacets). It implies a transition from a state of constriction to one of ease.

Après avoir mangé ce grand gâteau, j'ai dû desserrer ma ceinture d'un cran.

Beyond the physical, the word enters the realm of physiology and psychology. One of the most famous idiomatic uses is desserrer les dents. Literally, this means to unclamp your teeth, but figuratively, it refers to someone finally breaking their silence or speaking under pressure. If someone is being stubborn and refusing to talk, a frustrated parent or investigator might demand that they 'desserrent les dents'. Similarly, it can describe the relaxation of muscles. If you are stressed, a massage therapist might encourage you to 'desserrer les muscles de votre mâchoire' (loosen your jaw muscles).

Il est important de desserrer l'étau de la bureaucratie pour aider les petites entreprises.

Mechanical Application: In mechanics, you use a wrench (une clé) to 'desserrer un écrou' (loosen a nut). This is a technical but very frequent use of the word in any DIY or industrial context.
Metaphorical Pressure: When a situation is described as an 'étau' (a vice), 'desserrer l'étau' means to alleviate the pressure or to give someone more breathing room, often used in political or economic journalism.

In social settings, 'desserrer' can also apply to a grip or an embrace. If a hug is too tight, you might ask the person to 'desserrer un peu'. It conveys a sense of needing space or relief. The word is moderately formal but perfectly acceptable in casual conversation. It lacks the harshness of 'lâcher' (to let go entirely) and instead focuses on the gradual reduction of force. This nuance is what makes it a B1 level word; it requires an understanding of degrees of tension.

Le nœud de ma cravate commence à se desserrer tout seul.

Finally, consider the environmental and figurative uses. When the frost 'desserre son emprise' (loosens its grip) on the land, it signals the coming of spring. This poetic use highlights the word's ability to describe natural transitions. Whether you are talking about mechanics, comfort, or nature, 'desserrer' provides a precise way to talk about the release of tension.

Using desserrer correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure as a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. You 'desserrer' something. The most straightforward usage is with physical objects. When you want to tell someone to loosen something, you use the imperative or the infinitive after another verb. For instance, 'Tu dois desserrer les lacets de tes chaussures' (You must loosen your shoelaces). Notice how the object (les lacets) directly follows the verb.

Direct Object Usage: Subject + Verb + Object. Example: 'Le mécanicien desserre les boulons.' (The mechanic loosens the bolts.)
Reflexive Usage: Subject + Se + Verb. Example: 'La vis s'est desserrée avec les vibrations.' (The screw loosened itself with the vibrations.)

N'oublie pas de desserrer le frein à main avant de démarrer la voiture.

When using 'desserrer' in the past tense (passé composé), it uses the auxiliary 'avoir' unless it is reflexive. 'J'ai desserré ma cravate' vs 'Le nœud s'est desserré'. This distinction is important for learners to master. In the figurative sense, the structure remains the same. You can 'desserrer l'étau' (loosen the vice) or 'desserrer les cordons de la bourse' (loosen the purse strings, meaning to spend more money). These expressions follow standard transitive patterns.

Il a enfin desserré son emprise sur le projet, laissant l'équipe plus autonome.

With Body Parts: When referring to your own body parts, use the definite article (le, la, les) rather than possessive adjectives if the subject is the owner. Example: 'Il desserre les poings' (He unclenches his fists) rather than 'ses poings'.

In more complex sentences, you might see 'desserrer' used in the subjunctive mood after expressions of necessity or emotion. 'Il est essentiel que vous desserriez la vis avec précaution' (It is essential that you loosen the screw carefully). Note the double 'i' in the 'nous' and 'vous' forms of the present subjunctive (desserrions, desserriez), which is a common trap for students. Mastering these variations allows for nuanced communication in both technical and everyday contexts.

Si tu desserres trop la corde, elle risque de tomber.

You will encounter desserrer in a variety of real-life situations in France. One of the most common places is in a garage or during any DIY project. If you are watching a French YouTube tutorial on how to fix a bike or a car, you will constantly hear the presenter say, 'Maintenant, il faut desserrer cet écrou'. It is a fundamental part of the technical vocabulary. Similarly, in a clothing store, if a garment is too tight, a tailor might suggest 'desserrer un peu la taille' (loosening the waist slightly).

News and Media: Journalists frequently use the metaphorical 'desserrer l'étau'. You might hear a news anchor say, 'La banque centrale a décidé de desserrer l'étau monétaire' (The central bank decided to loosen the monetary grip/pressure).
Health and Wellness: In a yoga class or a meditation session, an instructor might say, 'Desserrer vos mâchoires et relaxez vos épaules' (Loosen your jaws and relax your shoulders).

Le coach nous a dit de desserrer la pression avant le match final.

In literature and cinema, 'desserrer' often appears in tense moments. A character might be described as 'desserrant les dents' before delivering a difficult truth. It adds a physical dimension to the emotional struggle. In everyday family life, you might hear a parent telling a child to 'desserrer' their grip on a toy they are refusing to share. It is a word that bridges the gap between the purely mechanical and the deeply human.

À la fin de la journée, quel plaisir de desserrer ses chaussures !

Even in political discourse, the term is used to describe the easing of sanctions or regulations. 'Le gouvernement envisage de desserrer les restrictions sanitaires'. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in both formal and informal contexts. Whether you are reading a technical manual, a newspaper, or a novel, 'desserrer' is a word that provides clarity and precision to the concept of release.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with desserrer is confusing it with détendre or relâcher. While they all relate to loosening or relaxing, they are not always interchangeable. Détendre is usually for tension in a rope or a person's mood, while desserrer is specifically for something that is physically constricting or gripping. You 'desserrer' a knot, but you 'détendre' a muscle or an atmosphere.

Spelling Errors: Confusion with 'deserrer' (one 's'). Remember that it comes from 'serrer', which has two 's's. The prefix 'de-' is added, but the double 's' remains to maintain the 's' sound between vowels.
Misusing Possessives: As mentioned before, saying 'desserrer mes dents' is less natural than 'me desserrer les dents' or simply 'desserrer les dents'. French prefers definite articles for body parts.

Faux : Il a deserré (Incorrect spelling) sa cravate.

Another mistake is using 'desserrer' when you actually mean 'défaire' (to undo). If you are taking off your shoes entirely, you 'défaites' your laces. If you are just making them more comfortable, you 'desserrez' them. Using the wrong verb can lead to confusion about whether you are adjusting something or completely removing it. Similarly, 'desserrer' is not the same as 'ouvrir' (to open). You might 'desserrer' a jar lid before you 'ouvrir' the jar.

Correct : Elle a desserré l'étreinte après quelques secondes.

Finally, be careful with the reflexive form 'se desserrer'. Learners often forget the 'se' when something happens on its own. 'Ma ceinture desserrée' (My loosened belt - adjective) is different from 'Ma ceinture s'est desserrée' (My belt loosened itself - verb). Paying attention to these small grammatical nuances will significantly improve your fluency and make your French sound much more authentic.

While desserrer is the most precise word for loosening a grip or pressure, several other verbs occupy similar semantic space. Understanding the differences between them will help you choose the right word for the right context. The most common alternatives are relâcher, détendre, lâcher, and débloquer. Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Relâcher: This means 'to release' or 'to slacken'. It is often used for prisoners (relâcher un prisonnier) or for tension in a general sense. It implies a more complete letting go than 'desserrer'.
Détendre: This means 'to relax' or 'to loosen tension' (like a spring or a muscle). It is the best word for psychological relaxation or for things that are stretched rather than squeezed.

Au lieu de desserrer le nœud, il a préféré le couper.

Comparison with lâcher: 'Lâcher' means to let go of something entirely. If you 'desserrer' your grip, you are still holding it, just less tightly. If you 'lâcher', the object falls or is free. Comparison with débloquer: This is used when something is stuck or jammed. You might 'desserrer' a screw to 'débloquer' a mechanism. 'Débloquer' focuses on the result (it moves again), while 'desserrer' focuses on the action (reducing the pressure).

La pluie a aidé à desserrer la terre trop compacte du jardin.

Dévisser: Specifically for screws. You 'desserrez' a screw slightly, but you 'dévissez' it to remove it completely.
Élargir: This means 'to widen'. Use this for shoes or clothing that need more space permanently, whereas 'desserrer' is for an immediate adjustment of the laces or belt.

In summary, 'desserrer' is unique because it specifically addresses the reduction of a 'serrage' (a tightening or squeezing). Whether you're adjusting your clothes, fixing a car, or describing a political situation, choosing 'desserrer' over its synonyms shows a higher level of precision in your French. It captures the nuance of partial release and the easing of pressure better than any other word.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root word 'sera' (bolt) is also the ancestor of the word 'serrure' (lock). So, every time you loosen something, you are etymologically 'un-bolting' it.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /de.sɛ.ʁe/

US /de.sɛ.re/

The stress in French is usually on the last syllable: des-ser-RER.

Reimt sich auf

serrer espérer préférer libérer opérer récupérer considérer générer

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing only one 's' (it should be sharp).
Using an English 'r' sound.
Confusing the 'e' sounds.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'serrer'.

Schreiben 3/5

The double 's' and double 'r' can be tricky.

Sprechen 3/5

Requires mastering the French 'r' and 's' sounds.

Hören 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most contexts.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

serrer vis nœud ceinture trop

Als Nächstes lernen

relâcher détendre étau écrou sangle

Fortgeschritten

desserrement enserrer étreinte carcan

Wichtige Grammatik

Regular -er verb conjugation.

Je desserre, tu desserres, il desserre...

Use of 'avoir' in passé composé.

J'ai desserré la vis.

Reflexive form with 'être'.

Le nœud s'est desserré.

Subjunctive double 'i' for nous/vous.

Que nous desserrions.

Position of direct object pronouns.

Je le desserre.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Je desserre mes chaussures.

I loosen my shoes.

Present tense, first person singular.

Desserre ta ceinture !

Loosen your belt!

Imperative form.

Il desserre son écharpe.

He loosens his scarf.

Present tense, third person singular.

Nous desserrons les lacets.

We are loosening the laces.

Present tense, first person plural.

Elle desserre sa prise.

She loosens her grip.

Present tense, third person singular.

Desserrez le nœud, s'il vous plaît.

Loosen the knot, please.

Imperative, formal/plural.

Le chien desserre les dents.

The dog loosens its teeth (grip).

Present tense.

Tu desserres le collier ?

Are you loosening the collar?

Interrogative.

J'ai dû desserrer ma cravate après le dîner.

I had to loosen my tie after dinner.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Le mécanicien a desserré la vis.

The mechanic loosened the screw.

Passé composé.

Ma ceinture s'est desserrée toute seule.

My belt loosened by itself.

Reflexive passé composé.

Peux-tu desserrer ce bouchon pour moi ?

Can you loosen this cap for me?

Infinitive after 'pouvoir'.

Il desserrait toujours son col en été.

He always loosened his collar in summer.

Imperfect tense for habit.

Nous allons desserrer les sangles du sac.

We are going to loosen the bag straps.

Futur proche.

Elle ne voulait pas desserrer son sac à main.

She didn't want to loosen her grip on her handbag.

Negative imperfect with infinitive.

Desserre un peu la corde, c'est trop serré.

Loosen the rope a bit, it's too tight.

Imperative with 'un peu'.

Il est difficile de desserrer cet écrou rouillé.

It is difficult to loosen this rusty nut.

Infinitive phrase.

Après l'examen, il a enfin desserré les dents.

After the exam, he finally spoke (loosened his teeth).

Idiomatic usage.

Le gouvernement décide de desserrer les restrictions.

The government decides to loosen the restrictions.

Metaphorical usage.

Si tu desserres la vis, l'étagère va tomber.

If you loosen the screw, the shelf will fall.

Condition with 'si'.

Elle desserrait son étreinte au fur et à mesure qu'elle se calmait.

She loosened her embrace as she calmed down.

Imperfect tense.

Il faut desserrer le frein avant de partir.

You must loosen (release) the brake before leaving.

Impersonal 'il faut'.

Le masseur m'a aidé à desserrer mes muscles.

The massage therapist helped me loosen my muscles.

Causative structure.

Nous devons desserrer l'emballage pour voir l'objet.

We must loosen the packaging to see the object.

Modal 'devoir'.

La banque centrale veut desserrer l'étau monétaire.

The central bank wants to loosen the monetary grip.

Economic metaphor.

Il a desserré les cordons de la bourse pour ce projet.

He loosened the purse strings for this project.

Idiomatic expression.

L'athlète doit desserrer ses muscles avant la course.

The athlete must loosen his muscles before the race.

Physical preparation context.

Les tensions commencent à se desserrer entre les deux pays.

Tensions are starting to loosen between the two countries.

Reflexive metaphorical usage.

Bien qu'il soit en colère, il a fini par desserrer les poings.

Although he was angry, he ended up unclencing his fists.

Concessive clause with 'bien que'.

Le froid desserre enfin son emprise sur la région.

The cold is finally loosening its grip on the region.

Personification of weather.

Il est crucial que vous desserriez cet écrou avec précaution.

It is crucial that you loosen this nut with care.

Subjunctive mood.

Elle a desserré le nœud coulant juste à temps.

She loosened the noose just in time.

High stakes context.

La diplomatie a permis de desserrer l'étau diplomatique qui pesait sur le pays.

Diplomacy allowed for the loosening of the diplomatic vice weighing on the country.

Complex metaphorical structure.

L'écrivain desserre la structure de son récit pour laisser place à l'improvisation.

The writer loosens the structure of his narrative to allow room for improvisation.

Literary context.

Il convient de desserrer les contraintes administratives pour favoriser l'innovation.

It is appropriate to loosen administrative constraints to encourage innovation.

Formal 'il convient de'.

Le temps a fini par desserrer les liens qui les unissaient autrefois.

Time eventually loosened the bonds that once united them.

Abstract concept of time.

Elle desserrait son étreinte sur le passé, acceptant enfin le présent.

She was loosening her grip on the past, finally accepting the present.

Psychological metaphor.

Le desserrement des prix a provoqué une inflation soudaine.

The loosening of prices caused sudden inflation.

Noun form 'desserrement'.

Sans desserrer les dents, il lui jeta un regard noir.

Without unclencing his teeth, he gave her a dark look.

Gerund-like usage with 'sans'.

Il a fallu desserrer les freins de la croissance pour éviter la récession.

It was necessary to loosen the brakes on growth to avoid recession.

Economic policy context.

L'œuvre d'art semble desserrer les frontières entre le réel et l'imaginaire.

The work of art seems to loosen the boundaries between reality and the imaginary.

Philosophical/Artistic context.

La dérèglementation vise à desserrer le carcan législatif obsolète.

Deregulation aims to loosen the obsolete legislative straitjacket.

High-level political vocabulary.

En desserrant l'étau de sa logique, il parvint à une intuition géniale.

By loosening the grip of his logic, he arrived at a brilliant intuition.

Present participle.

La tragédie se dénoue quand le destin desserre enfin son emprise tragique.

The tragedy resolves when fate finally loosens its tragic grip.

Literary analysis.

Il est impératif que nous desserrions les verrous de cette pensée dogmatique.

It is imperative that we loosen the locks of this dogmatic thinking.

Subjunctive with 'impératif'.

La nature desserre les mailles de son filet protecteur face au changement climatique.

Nature loosens the meshes of its protective net in the face of climate change.

Scientific/Environmental metaphor.

Le poète cherche à desserrer le sens des mots pour en libérer la musique.

The poet seeks to loosen the meaning of words to release their music.

Abstract linguistic context.

Le desserrement progressif des mœurs a transformé la société du XXe siècle.

The progressive loosening of morals transformed 20th-century society.

Sociological context.

Häufige Kollokationen

desserrer un écrou

desserrer sa cravate

desserrer les dents

desserrer l'étau

desserrer le frein à main

desserrer un nœud

desserrer les poings

desserrer la pression

desserrer les cordons de la bourse

desserrer sa prise

Häufige Phrasen

desserrer un peu

— To loosen slightly. Used when something is just a bit too tight.

Peux-tu desserrer un peu le collier du chien ?

se desserrer

— To become loose. Used for things that lose tension over time.

La vis se desserre à cause des vibrations.

desserrer le jeu

— To play more openly or less defensively in sports.

L'équipe commence à desserrer le jeu en deuxième mi-temps.

desserrer l'étreinte

— To loosen a hug or a physical hold.

Il a doucement desserré l'étreinte.

desserrer les mâchoires

— To relax the jaw, often a sign of reducing stress.

Essayez de desserrer les mâchoires pendant cet exercice.

desserrer une vis

— To loosen a screw.

Il faut desserrer cette vis pour ouvrir le boîtier.

desserrer la ceinture d'un cran

— To loosen one's belt by one notch.

Après le dessert, j'ai desserré ma ceinture d'un cran.

desserrer les lacets

— To loosen shoelaces.

Desserre tes lacets avant d'enlever tes chaussures.

desserrer le col

— To loosen the collar of a shirt.

Il desserre son col car il fait trop chaud.

desserrer l'emprise

— To loosen a grip or influence.

La peur a fini par desserrer son emprise sur lui.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

desserrer vs délier

Délier is for untying a knot completely, while desserrer is just making it less tight.

desserrer vs détendre

Détendre is for relaxing tension in a line or a person, desserrer is for constriction.

desserrer vs lâcher

Lâcher means to let go entirely, desserrer is a partial release.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"desserrer les dents"

— To finally speak after being silent or stubborn.

Il a fallu des heures pour qu'il desserre les dents.

Informal

"desserrer l'étau"

— To reduce pressure in a difficult or restrictive situation.

L'accord a permis de desserrer l'étau sur l'économie.

Formal/Journalistic

"desserrer les cordons de la bourse"

— To start spending more money or to be more generous.

Le directeur a enfin accepté de desserrer les cordons de la bourse.

Idiomatic

"desserrer le frein"

— To stop being so cautious or to allow progress.

Il est temps de desserrer le frein sur l'innovation.

Metaphorical

"ne pas desserrer les dents"

— To remain stubbornly silent.

Pendant tout le trajet, elle n'a pas desserré les dents.

Common

"desserrer les boulons"

— To relax rules or discipline, often in a workplace.

Le nouveau patron a un peu desserré les boulons.

Colloquial

"desserrer la cravate"

— To relax after a formal or stressful period.

Le week-end, il aime desserrer la cravate.

Metaphorical

"desserrer l'étreinte du destin"

— To escape a seemingly inevitable bad situation.

Le héros parvient à desserrer l'étreinte du destin.

Literary

"desserrer les mailles"

— To make a system or rule less strict.

Il faut desserrer les mailles du filet administratif.

Formal

"desserrer la bride"

— To give someone more freedom (referring to a horse's bridle).

Il a desserré la bride à ses subordonnés.

Idiomatic

Leicht verwechselbar

desserrer vs défaire

Both involve loosening.

Défaire means to undo or take apart completely; desserrer means to reduce pressure.

Je défais mon paquet, mais je desserre ma cravate.

desserrer vs ouvrir

Loosening often precedes opening.

Ouvrir is the final act of opening; desserrer is the adjustment of the lid or lock.

Desserre le couvercle avant d'ouvrir le bocal.

desserrer vs relâcher

Very similar meaning.

Relâcher often implies a more total release or is used for prisoners; desserrer is more mechanical.

La police a relâché le suspect, mais j'ai desserré les menottes.

desserrer vs élargir

Both make things less tight.

Élargir is to make wider (permanent change), desserrer is to loosen (temporary adjustment).

Le cordonnier a élargi mes chaussures, mais je desserre mes lacets.

desserrer vs desservir

Similar spelling.

Desservir means to clear the table or to serve a location (transport); desserrer is to loosen.

Le bus dessert la gare, mais je desserre ma ceinture.

Satzmuster

Je desserre + [clothing item]

Je desserre mes lacets.

Il faut desserrer + [object]

Il faut desserrer ce bouton.

[Subject] a desserré + [idiom]

Il a desserré les dents.

Le [Subject] desserre l'étau sur + [Noun]

Le gouvernement desserre l'étau sur l'économie.

En desserrant + [Noun], [Subject] + [Verb]

En desserrant la vis, il a cassé le bois.

Il est impératif que [Subject] desserre + [Abstract Noun]

Il est impératif qu'il desserre son emprise sur le passé.

Se desserrer + [adverb]

Le nœud se desserre lentement.

Peux-tu + desserrer + [object] ?

Peux-tu desserrer ma ceinture ?

Wortfamilie

Substantive

desserrement (the action of loosening)

serrage (the action of tightening)

serrure (lock)

Verben

serrer (to tighten)

resserrer (to retighten)

s'enserrer (to be squeezed in)

Adjektive

desserré (loosened)

serré (tight)

serre-joint (clamp - noun used as adj context)

Verwandt

étau

vis

écrou

nœud

pression

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in technical, domestic, and journalistic contexts.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'desserrer' for 'untying'. → délier or défaire
Desserrer means to make less tight, not necessarily to undo completely.
Spelling it as 'deserrer'. → desserrer
The double 's' is required to maintain the 's' sound.
Saying 'desserrer mes dents'. → desserrer les dents
French uses definite articles for body parts when the subject is the owner.
Confusing with 'desservir'. → desserrer
Desservir relates to service or clearing tables; desserrer relates to tightness.
Using 'desserrer' for a guitar string. → détendre
Guitar strings have linear tension, so 'détendre' is more appropriate.

Tipps

Double the S

Always remember the double 's'. Without it, 'deserrer' would be pronounced with a 'z' sound, which is incorrect.

Mechanical Context

In a DIY context, 'desserrer' is the standard verb for loosening bolts, screws, and nuts.

Speak Up!

Use 'desserrer les dents' when someone is being too quiet or refusing to share information.

Post-Meal Comfort

A very common use is 'desserrer sa ceinture' after a large meal. It's a relatable phrase in French culture.

Economic Pressure

When reading the news, look for 'desserrer l'étau' to describe the easing of financial or political pressure.

Automatic Loosening

Use 'se desserrer' for knots or screws that come loose without human intervention.

Choose Wisely

Use 'desserrer' for constriction and 'détendre' for linear tension like a guitar string.

Definite Articles

Say 'desserrer les poings' rather than 'ses poings' for a more natural French sound.

Stress the End

Ensure the final 'er' sound is clear and stressed in the infinitive form.

De-Squeeze

Link 'de-' (undo) with 'serrer' (squeeze) to always remember the meaning.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'DE-Squeeze'. The prefix 'de-' reverses the 'squeeze' of 'serrer'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine someone exhaling and loosening their belt after a huge Thanksgiving-style meal in a French bistro.

Word Web

serrer vis écrou cravate ceinture étau pression nœud

Herausforderung

Try to use 'desserrer' in three different contexts today: clothing, mechanical, and metaphorical.

Wortherkunft

From the French prefix 'de-' (expressing reversal) and the verb 'serrer'. 'Serrer' comes from the Vulgar Latin 'serrare', meaning to lock or bolt, which itself comes from 'sera' (a bolt or bar).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To unbolt or unlock, which evolved into making something less tight.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities, but 'desserrer les dents' can imply someone is being interrogated or pressured.

English speakers often use 'loosen' for everything, whereas French might use 'desserrer' or 'détendre' depending on the type of tension.

Used in technical manuals for Renault and Peugeot. Commonly found in the novels of Émile Zola to describe physical labor. Frequent in French political speeches regarding 'la décentralisation'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

DIY / Mechanics

desserrer un boulon
desserrer une vis
desserrer l'écrou
clé pour desserrer

Clothing

desserrer la ceinture
desserrer la cravate
desserrer les lacets
desserrer le col

Physical / Health

desserrer les dents
desserrer les muscles
desserrer les poings
desserrer la prise

Economics / Politics

desserrer l'étau
desserrer les restrictions
desserrer les cordons de la bourse
desserrer la pression

Relationships

desserrer l'étreinte
desserrer les liens
se desserrer
desserrer l'emprise

Gesprächseinstiege

"Est-ce que tu dois souvent desserrer tes chaussures après une longue marche ?"

"Penses-tu que le gouvernement devrait desserrer les restrictions actuelles ?"

"Est-il facile de desserrer un écrou rouillé sans outils spéciaux ?"

"Quand as-tu dû desserrer les cordons de ta bourse pour la dernière fois ?"

"Pourquoi est-il important de desserrer les muscles avant de dormir ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décrivez une situation où vous avez dû desserrer les dents pour dire la vérité.

Parlez d'un moment où vous avez ressenti le besoin de desserrer l'étau du stress quotidien.

Imaginez que vous réparez quelque chose de très ancien. Quel objet devez-vous desserrer ?

Est-ce que vous préférez serrer ou desserrer les liens avec votre passé ?

Écrivez sur une expérience culinaire où vous avez dû desserrer votre ceinture.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, it is frequently used metaphorically, especially in idioms like 'desserrer les dents' (to speak) or 'desserrer l'étau' (to ease pressure).

The direct opposite is 'serrer', which means to tighten, squeeze, or grip.

It follows the regular -er pattern: je desserre, tu desserres, il desserre, nous desserrons, vous desserrez, ils desserrent.

Yes, it is common to say 'desserrer les muscles' or 'desserrer la mâchoire' to mean relaxing them.

Dévisser specifically means to unscrew something, while desserrer means to loosen anything that is tight (knot, belt, grip, etc.).

It is a neutral word used in both everyday conversation and formal journalism.

The past participle is 'desserré' (masculine) or 'desserrée' (feminine).

Yes, 'se desserrer' means to become loose on its own.

It's an idiom meaning to become more generous or to start spending more money.

To keep the 's' sound sharp between the vowels 'e' and 'e'. One 's' would be pronounced like a 'z'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'desserrer' and 'ceinture'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

A common and correct usage of the word.