se déshabiller
se déshabiller in 30 Sekunden
- A regular -er reflexive verb meaning to undress oneself.
- Essential for daily routines, medical contexts, and swimming.
- Requires 'être' in the passé composé with subject agreement.
- Can be used metaphorically to mean revealing a core truth.
The French verb se déshabiller is a reflexive verb that translates literally to 'to undress oneself' or more commonly in English, 'to take off one's clothes'. In the landscape of French vocabulary, this word is essential for daily life, medical visits, and personal routines. It is composed of the prefix dés-, which indicates the reversal of an action, and the base verb habiller, meaning to dress. Because it is reflexive, the action is performed by the subject upon themselves, requiring the use of reflexive pronouns: me, te, se, nous, vous, se.
- Daily Routine
- This is the primary context. One uses it when preparing for a shower, going to bed, or changing for the gym. For example, 'Je me déshabille avant de prendre ma douche'.
- Medical Context
- At a doctor's office, the physician might say, 'Veuillez vous déshabiller derrière le rideau' (Please undress behind the curtain). It is a standard, neutral term in clinical settings.
- Social and Artistic Usage
- Beyond the physical act, it can appear in literature or art to describe a state of vulnerability or literal nudity. In cinema or theater, 'se déshabiller' is the technical term for an actor removing their costume.
Il est temps de se déshabiller pour aller dormir.
The verb is also found in metaphorical contexts. To 'déshabiller Pierre pour habiller Paul' is a famous French idiom meaning to take from one person to give to another, or to solve one problem by creating another. While the verb itself is A1 level, these idiomatic uses elevate it to B2 and C1 levels of proficiency. Understanding the nuances of when to use 'se déshabiller' versus 'enlever' (to take off a specific item) is key. 'Se déshabiller' refers to the whole process of removing all or most clothes, whereas 'enlever son manteau' refers to a specific piece of clothing.
L'enfant refuse de se déshabiller pour le bain.
Culturally, the French often distinguish between the functional act and the aesthetic act. In a boutique, you wouldn't necessarily say you are 'se déshabiller' to try on clothes; you would say 'se changer' (to change). 'Se déshabiller' implies a more complete removal of clothing. In a spa or sauna environment, the term is used frequently in signage instructions. It is important to note that the verb is perfectly polite and neutral; it does not inherently carry a sexual connotation unless the context explicitly provides one.
Elle se déshabille rapidement pour plonger dans l'eau froide.
- Informal Settings
- Among friends at a beach, someone might say 'Allez, on se déshabille et on y va !' (Come on, let's get undressed and go in!).
Le patient doit se déshabiller jusqu'à la taille.
Il ne veut pas se déshabiller devant tout le monde.
Mastering se déshabiller requires a solid understanding of French reflexive verb conjugation. Since it is a regular -er verb, the endings follow the standard pattern: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent. However, the reflexive pronoun must change to match the subject. This is where many learners stumble. Let's look at the present tense: Je me déshabille, tu te déshabilles, il se déshabille, nous nous déshabillons, vous vous déshabillez, ils se déshabillent. Notice how the 'nous nous' and 'vous vous' double up—this is perfectly correct and necessary.
- Reflexive Structure
- Subject + Reflexive Pronoun + Verb. Example: 'Marie se déshabille'.
- Negation
- The 'ne...pas' wraps around the pronoun and the verb. Example: 'Je ne me déshabille pas'.
Est-ce que tu te déshabilles déjà pour te coucher ?
When using compound tenses like the passé composé, the auxiliary verb is always être. This is a rule for all reflexive verbs. Crucially, the past participle déshabillé must agree in gender and number with the subject because the reflexive pronoun functions as a direct object (since you are undressing yourself). For instance, 'Elle s'est déshabillée' (She undressed) requires an extra 'e'. 'Ils se sont déshabillés' requires an 's'.
Nous nous sommes déshabillés pour entrer dans le sauna.
In the imperative (commands), the pronoun moves after the verb and is connected with a hyphen. For 'tu', it becomes déshabille-toi. For 'vous', it is déshabillez-vous. This is very common in medical or intimate settings. Conversely, in the negative imperative, the pronoun moves back to the front: Ne te déshabille pas ! (Don't undress!).
S'il vous plaît, déshabillez-vous et mettez cette blouse.
- Modal Verbs
- With 'vouloir' or 'devoir', the pronoun stays with the infinitive. Example: 'Tu dois te déshabiller'.
Finally, consider the reflexive vs. non-reflexive distinction. If you are undressing a child, the pronoun 'se' disappears, and you use an object: 'Je déshabille mon enfant'. If you are undressing yourself, the 'se' (or its conjugated version) is mandatory. This distinction is vital for clarity in French communication.
On a dû se déshabiller entièrement pour l'examen médical.
Pourquoi te déshabilles-tu dans le salon ?
In France, you will encounter se déshabiller in a variety of real-world scenarios. One of the most common is the cabinet médical (doctor's office). French doctors often perform thorough physical exams, and the phrase 'Vous pouvez vous déshabiller' is a standard part of the consultation. You might also hear it in locker rooms (les vestiaires) at a gym or swimming pool, where people are coordinating their movements.
- The Doctor's Office
- Doctors often say: 'Déshabillez-vous jusqu'au slip, s'il vous plaît' (Please undress down to your underwear).
- Parental Commands
- Parents frequently tell children: 'Allez, déshabille-toi, c'est l'heure du bain !' (Go on, undress, it's bath time!).
Dans le film, l'héroïne se déshabille avant de nager dans le lac.
In French literature and cinema, the word is used to describe scenes of intimacy or vulnerability. Because French culture is generally more comfortable with casual nudity than some Anglophone cultures (e.g., on public beaches), the word is used quite naturally and without shock. For example, in a novel, a character might 'se déshabiller' to signal the end of a long day or the beginning of a reflective moment alone.
Le vent était si fort qu'on aurait dit qu'il voulait nous déshabiller.
Another interesting place you'll hear it is in the expression 'se déshabiller du regard', which means to undress someone with one's eyes. This is a common phrase in romantic or descriptive writing. In a more literal sense, you might hear it at a 'vide-dressing' (a yard sale for clothes) where people discuss the act of cleaning out their closets—though 'vider son armoire' is more common, 'déshabiller' might be used creatively.
Il est interdit de se déshabiller sur cette partie de la plage.
- Artistic Context
- Models for life drawing (modèles vivants) will 'se déshabiller' before the session begins.
Lastly, in the fashion world, designers might talk about 'déshabiller une silhouette' to mean simplifying a look or removing layers of a garment to reveal the structure underneath. This shows the verb's versatility from everyday tasks to professional jargon. Whether you're at the beach, the doctor, or reading a French novel, you'll find 'se déshabiller' to be a fundamental part of the linguistic experience.
On se déshabille et on saute dans la piscine ?
The most frequent mistake English speakers make with se déshabiller is forgetting the reflexive pronoun. In English, we simply say 'I am undressing', but in French, you must say 'I am undressing myself'. Saying 'Je déshabille' without 'me' leaves the listener waiting for an object—who are you undressing? A child? A mannequin? A bank account? (The latter is a metaphorical use!).
- The 'Se' Omission
- Mistake: 'Je déshabille pour dormir'. Correct: 'Je me déshabille pour dormir'.
- Auxiliary Confusion
- Mistake: 'J'ai déshabillé' (when meaning 'I undressed myself'). Correct: 'Je me suis déshabillé'. All reflexive verbs use 'être'.
Attention ! Ne dites pas 'Je déshabille', dites 'Je me déshabille'.
Another common error is confusing se déshabiller with enlever. While 'se déshabiller' means the general act of undressing, 'enlever' is used for specific items. You 'enlevez vos chaussures' or 'enlevez votre chapeau', but you 'vous déshabillez' when you're taking off everything. Using 'se déshabiller' for a single hat sounds very strange to a native speaker.
Elle s'est déshabillée (agreement with 'elle') avant l'examen.
Agreement of the past participle is also a tricky area. In the sentence 'Elle s'est déshabillée', the 'e' at the end is mandatory. In 'Ils se sont déshabillés', the 's' is mandatory. This is because the reflexive pronoun is the direct object and it precedes the verb. However, if you were to say 'Elle s'est déshabillé les bras' (a rare and slightly odd construction), the participle might not agree, but for general 'undressing', always agree with the subject.
Nous ne nous sommes pas déshabillés car il faisait trop froid.
- Spelling Errors
- Many learners forget the double 'l' or the 's' in 'dés-'. Remember: dé-s-hab-i-ll-er.
Lastly, don't confuse 'se déshabiller' with 'se changer'. If you are just putting on a different outfit, 'se changer' is the correct verb. 'Se déshabiller' specifically emphasizes the removal of clothes, often leading to being in underwear or nude. Using the wrong one can lead to slightly embarrassing or confusing social situations!
Voulez-vous vous déshabiller ou juste enlever votre veste ?
While se déshabiller is the standard term, French offers several synonyms and alternatives depending on the register (formal, informal, or slang). Knowing these will help you sound more like a native and understand different social contexts. The most common informal alternative is se désaper.
- Se désaper (Slang/Informal)
- Coming from 'sapes' (clothes), this is very common among young people. 'Je me désape' is like saying 'I'm stripping off' or 'I'm getting undressed' in a casual way.
- Enlever ses vêtements (Neutral)
- A direct way to say 'take off one's clothes'. It's slightly more descriptive and less 'all-at-once' than 'se déshabiller'.
- Se mettre à nu (Literary/Formal)
- Literally 'to put oneself to naked'. This is often used metaphorically to mean 'to reveal one's true self' or 'to be vulnerable'.
Il s'est mis à nu dans son autobiographie.
Another useful comparison is with se changer (to change clothes) and se rhabiller (to get dressed again). 'Se rhabiller' is the direct opposite and is often heard after a medical exam or a swimming session. 'Allez, on se rhabille !' is what you'll hear when it's time to leave the beach.
Après la douche, il faut se rhabiller vite.
For specific items, remember ôter (formal) or retirer (neutral). 'Ôter son manteau' is more elegant than 'enlever son manteau'. However, you wouldn't usually use 'ôter' reflexively to mean undressing completely. 'Se déshabiller' remains the champion for the general action of removing one's attire.
Il ôte ses gants avec élégance avant de saluer.
- Se mettre en tenue d'Adam/Ève (Idiomatic)
- A humorous way to say someone undressed completely to be naked, referring to Adam and Eve.
Understanding these variations allows you to navigate French social circles with ease. Whether you need to be clinical at the doctor's, casual with friends, or poetic in a letter, you now have the tools to describe the act of undressing in all its forms.
On se désape pour la fête ? (Very informal).
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
In the 14th century, 'habiller' actually meant to prepare a piece of wood or a skin for use. It only later became specifically about clothing.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing the 'h' (it must be silent).
- Forgetting the 'z' sound liaison between 'dés' and 'habiller'.
- Pronouncing the final 'r' (it is silent).
- Pronouncing 'll' as an 'l' sound instead of a 'y' sound.
- Stress on the first syllable instead of the last.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Easy to recognize due to the 'habiller' root.
Requires careful management of reflexive pronouns and past participle agreement.
The 'z' liaison and silent 'h' require practice for native-like flow.
Clear sound, but the liaison can sometimes confuse beginners.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Reflexive Pronouns
Je me, tu te, il se, nous nous, vous vous, ils se.
Passé Composé with Être
Je me suis déshabillé.
Participle Agreement
Marie s'est déshabillée (agreement with 'Marie').
Imperative of Reflexive Verbs
Déshabille-toi ! / Ne te déshabille pas !
Liaison with Silent H
Vous vous déshabillez [vu-vu-de-za-bi-ye].
Beispiele nach Niveau
Je me déshabille pour prendre une douche.
I undress to take a shower.
Reflexive: 'me' matches 'Je'.
Tu te déshabilles avant de dormir ?
Do you undress before sleeping?
Question form with 'tu'.
L'enfant se déshabille tout seul.
The child undresses all by himself.
Third person singular 'se'.
Nous nous déshabillons dans le vestiaire.
We are undressing in the locker room.
Double 'nous' for reflexive action.
Vous vous déshabillez ici, s'il vous plaît.
You undress here, please.
Formal 'vous' usage.
Ils se déshabillent pour aller nager.
They are undressing to go swimming.
Plural reflexive 'se'.
Déshabille-toi vite !
Undress quickly!
Imperative with hyphen.
Elle ne se déshabille pas.
She is not undressing.
Negative 'ne...pas' around the reflexive pronoun and verb.
Elle s'est déshabillée avant l'examen.
She undressed before the exam.
Passé composé with 'être' and feminine agreement.
Nous nous sommes déshabillés pour le sauna.
We undressed for the sauna.
Plural agreement on the past participle.
Est-ce que tu t'es déshabillé ?
Did you undress?
Inversion in the past tense.
Il s'est déshabillé rapidement.
He undressed quickly.
Masculine singular past participle.
Je me suis déjà déshabillé.
I have already undressed.
Adverb placement in passé composé.
Ils ne se sont pas déshabillés.
They did not undress.
Negation in compound tense.
Veuillez vous déshabiller derrière le rideau.
Please undress behind the curtain.
Polite imperative with infinitive.
Elle a dû se déshabiller pour la radio.
She had to undress for the X-ray.
Modal verb 'devoir' with reflexive infinitive.
Pendant qu'il se déshabillait, le téléphone a sonné.
While he was undressing, the phone rang.
Imparfait for ongoing action.
Il est nécessaire de se déshabiller avant d'entrer.
It is necessary to undress before entering.
Impersonal expression with infinitive.
Si tu avais froid, tu ne te déshabillerais pas.
If you were cold, you wouldn't undress.
Conditional mood.
Je me déshabillerai dès que j'arriverai à la maison.
I will undress as soon as I get home.
Futur simple.
Elle préférait se déshabiller dans le noir.
She preferred to undress in the dark.
Verb of preference + reflexive infinitive.
Après s'être déshabillé, il a sauté dans le lac.
After undressing, he jumped into the lake.
Past infinitive with reflexive pronoun.
Nous nous déshabillions toujours avant le cours de danse.
We always used to undress before the dance class.
Imparfait for habitual action.
Il faut que vous vous déshabilliez pour l'examen.
You must undress for the exam.
Subjunctive mood after 'il faut que'.
Il ne faut pas déshabiller Pierre pour habiller Paul.
One shouldn't rob Peter to pay Paul.
Idiomatic usage (non-reflexive).
Elle s'est déshabillée de ses préjugés.
She stripped herself of her prejudices.
Metaphorical reflexive use.
L'acteur a dû se déshabiller entièrement pour ce rôle.
The actor had to undress completely for this role.
Adverbial placement.
Bien qu'elle se déshabille, elle garde ses bijoux.
Although she is undressing, she keeps her jewelry.
Subjunctive after 'bien que'.
Il se déshabille du regard toutes les femmes qu'il croise.
He undresses with his eyes every woman he passes.
Idiomatic expression 'déshabiller du regard'.
Le vent semblait vouloir déshabiller les arbres.
The wind seemed to want to strip the trees.
Personification using non-reflexive form.
S'étant déshabillée, elle se sentit enfin libre.
Having undressed, she finally felt free.
Present participle in a complex clause.
Ils se sont déshabillés avec une lenteur calculée.
They undressed with a calculated slowness.
Nuanced adverbial phrase.
L'œuvre déshabille la réalité de ses artifices.
The work strips reality of its artifices.
High-level metaphorical non-reflexive use.
Se déshabiller devant l'objectif demande du courage.
Undressing in front of the lens requires courage.
Infinitive as a subject.
Le poète se déshabille de son âme dans ses vers.
The poet strips his soul bare in his verses.
Poetic reflexive usage.
Elle craignait qu'il ne se déshabille en public.
She feared that he might undress in public.
Subjunctive with 'ne explétif'.
Le déshabillage de la mariée est une tradition ancienne.
The undressing of the bride is an ancient tradition.
Noun form usage.
Il s'est déshabillé de toute dignité pour obtenir ce poste.
He stripped himself of all dignity to get this job.
Abstract metaphorical usage.
On ne se déshabille pas ainsi de ses souvenirs.
One does not strip oneself of memories so easily.
Pronominal 'on' in a philosophical sense.
Le chirurgien lui a demandé de se déshabiller jusqu'à la ceinture.
The surgeon asked him to undress to the waist.
Precise medical terminology.
L'hiver déshabille la forêt, révélant son squelette ligneux.
Winter strips the forest, revealing its woody skeleton.
Highly descriptive literary usage.
Il se déshabilla de son flegme habituel pour éclater de rire.
He shed his usual phlegm to burst out laughing.
Metaphorical use with abstract qualities.
La mise en scène déshabille le texte de toute fioriture.
The staging strips the text of all flourish.
Theatrical criticism context.
Puissiez-vous vous déshabiller de vos tourments !
May you be stripped of your torments!
Subjunctive of wish/desire.
Le scandale a déshabillé le politicien de sa respectabilité.
The scandal stripped the politician of his respectability.
Journalistic metaphorical usage.
Elle se déshabillait de son identité sociale chaque soir.
She shed her social identity every evening.
Philosophical reflexive usage.
Nul ne saurait se déshabiller de sa propre nature.
No one can strip themselves of their own nature.
Literary 'nul ne saurait' structure.
Le vent déshabillait les vagues de leur écume.
The wind stripped the waves of their foam.
Evocative poetic imagery.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— The standard command from a doctor or in a locker room.
Le médecin a dit : 'Déshabillez-vous !'
— The act of taking off clothes to go to bed.
Je me déshabille toujours pour dormir.
— Changing into swimwear.
On se déshabille pour la plage dans la voiture.
— Undressing without a real reason or by mistake.
Je me suis déshabillé pour rien, le cours est annulé.
— Undressing in the presence of another person.
Elle est gênée de se déshabiller devant lui.
— Taking off some but not all clothes.
Il s'est déshabillé à moitié pour l'examen.
— Assisting another person with their clothes.
J'aide le bébé à se déshabiller.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Enlever is for specific items (shoes, hat), while se déshabiller is for the whole body.
Se changer means to change clothes (take off one and put on another), not necessarily to remain undressed.
Habiller is the opposite (to dress someone else), while s'habiller is the opposite (to dress oneself).
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To take from one to give to another; to solve one problem by creating another.
Prendre de l'argent du budget éducation pour la santé, c'est déshabiller Pierre pour habiller Paul.
neutral— To look at someone as if they were naked; to look at someone with intense desire.
Il ne pouvait s'empêcher de la déshabiller du regard.
neutral/informal— To rid oneself of biases or preconceived notions.
Pour comprendre cette culture, il faut se déshabiller de ses préjugés.
literary— To reveal one's deepest feelings or secrets.
Dans son journal, elle se déshabille de son âme.
poetic— To be completely naked (like a worm).
Après le vol, il s'est retrouvé déshabillé comme un ver.
informal— To simplify a text to its core meaning, removing fluff.
Le rédacteur a déshabillé le texte pour le rendre clair.
academic— To lose or give up one's self-respect.
Il s'est déshabillé de sa dignité pour de l'argent.
literary— To debunk or expose the truth behind a rumor.
L'enquête a permis de déshabiller cette rumeur.
journalistic— To try to forget or move on from the past.
Il est dur de se déshabiller de ses souvenirs d'enfance.
poetic— When the wind or autumn removes leaves from a tree.
L'automne déshabille les arbres du parc.
literaryLeicht verwechselbar
Reflexive vs. Non-reflexive
'Se déshabiller' is to undress yourself. 'Déshabiller' is to undress someone else or something else.
Je me déshabille (myself) vs. Je déshabille le bébé (the baby).
Prefix confusion
'Se déshabiller' is to take clothes off. 'Se rhabiller' is to put clothes back on.
Après l'examen, vous pouvez vous rhabiller.
Similar spelling
'Se déshabiller' is about clothes. 'Se déshabituer' is to get out of a habit.
Je me déshabitue de fumer.
Similar prefix and length
'Déshériter' means to disinherit someone.
Le père a déshérité son fils.
Similar prefix and reflexive nature
'Se déshonorer' means to bring shame upon oneself.
Il s'est déshonoré par son comportement.
Satzmuster
[Subject] [Reflexive Pronoun] déshabille.
Je me déshabille.
[Subject] [Reflexive Pronoun] être déshabillé(e)(s).
Elle s'est déshabillée.
[Subject] doit se déshabiller.
Tu dois te déshabiller.
Avant de se déshabiller, [Clause].
Avant de se déshabiller, il ferme la porte.
Se déshabiller de [Abstract Noun].
Il se déshabille de son orgueil.
Déshabiller Pierre pour habiller Paul.
C'est déshabiller Pierre pour habiller Paul.
[Noun] déshabille [Noun] de [Noun].
La vérité déshabille l'homme de ses mensonges.
S'étant déshabillé(e), [Clause].
S'étant déshabillée, elle entra dans l'eau.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Very high in daily life and medical contexts.
-
Je déshabille.
→
Je me déshabille.
In French, if you are undressing yourself, you must use the reflexive pronoun 'me'. Otherwise, the sentence is incomplete.
-
J'ai déshabillé.
→
Je me suis déshabillé.
Reflexive verbs always use 'être' in the passé composé. Using 'avoir' is a common error for English speakers.
-
Elle s'est déshabillé.
→
Elle s'est déshabillée.
The past participle must agree with the subject 'elle' in gender and number for reflexive verbs where the pronoun is a direct object.
-
Je déshabille mon chapeau.
→
J'enlève mon chapeau.
'Se déshabiller' is for the whole person. For specific items like a hat or coat, use 'enlever'.
-
Je me déshabille mes vêtements.
→
Je me déshabille. / J'enlève mes vêtements.
You don't need 'mes vêtements' after 'se déshabiller' because the reflexive 'se' already implies you are removing your clothes.
Tipps
Reflexive Pronouns
Never forget the 'me, te, se, nous, vous, se'. Without them, the verb changes meaning to undressing someone else.
The Silent H
Treat the 'h' as if it isn't there. Connect the 's' of 'dés' to the 'a' to make a 'z' sound.
General vs. Specific
Use 'se déshabiller' for the whole body and 'enlever' for specific items like shoes or jewelry.
Medical Usage
In a French medical context, 'Déshabillez-vous' is a very common and polite instruction.
Robbing Peter
Memorize 'Déshabiller Pierre pour habiller Paul' to impress native speakers with your idiomatic knowledge.
Formal Writing
Switch to 'se dévêtir' in formal essays or literature to elevate your register.
Gender Agreement
In the past tense, always add an 'e' for feminine subjects: 'Elle s'est déshabillée'.
Casual Talk
Use 'se désaper' with friends at the beach or gym to sound more natural.
Beaches in France
Changing clothes on a beach is common; 'se déshabiller' is the word used for this transition.
Negative Form
The 'ne...pas' goes around the pronoun-verb block: 'Je ne me déshabille pas'.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of 'Dressing' but add 'DIS' to reverse it. 'Dés-habiller' is like 'Dis-habiting' your clothes.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a 'Z' sound connecting the 'Dés' and the 'Abiller' like a zipper being pulled down. 'Dé-Z-abiller'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try saying 'Je me déshabille' five times fast without pronouncing the 'h' and ensuring the 'z' liaison sound is clear.
Wortherkunft
Derived from the Old French 'habiller' (to prepare, to arrange), which comes from 'habit' (garment). The prefix 'dés-' was added to indicate the reversal of the action.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To un-arrange or to remove the garments that have been prepared.
Romance (Latin root 'habitus' meaning condition or appearance).Kultureller Kontext
While neutral, 'se déshabiller' can be sensitive in religious or highly conservative contexts. Always use with appropriate situational awareness.
English speakers might find the reflexive requirement ('undress myself') redundant, but in French, it is grammatically essential to define the object of the action.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
At the doctor's
- Déshabillez-vous, s'il vous plaît.
- Dois-je me déshabiller entièrement ?
- Vous pouvez vous déshabiller derrière le rideau.
- Déshabillez-vous jusqu'à la taille.
Bedtime routine
- Je me déshabille pour dormir.
- Va te déshabiller !
- Il est l'heure de se déshabiller.
- Je me déshabille et je mets mon pyjama.
Swimming/Gym
- On se déshabille dans les vestiaires.
- Où peut-on se déshabiller ?
- Je me déshabille pour mettre mon maillot.
- Dépêche-toi de te déshabiller !
Romantic/Intimate
- Elle se déshabille lentement.
- Voulez-vous que je vous aide à vous déshabiller ?
- Il la déshabillait du regard.
- Ils se sont déshabillés ensemble.
Theater/Film
- L'acteur se déshabille sur scène.
- Le déshabillage doit être rapide.
- Elle refuse de se déshabiller devant la caméra.
- Une scène de déshabillage.
Gesprächseinstiege
"À quelle heure te déshabilles-tu généralement le soir ?"
"Est-ce que tu te déshabilles avant ou après avoir brossé tes dents ?"
"Est-ce gênant pour toi de te déshabiller chez le médecin ?"
"Où te déshabilles-tu quand tu vas à la piscine ?"
"As-tu déjà dû te déshabiller en public pour une urgence ?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Décris ta routine du soir, du moment où tu commences à te déshabiller jusqu'au sommeil.
Raconte une anecdote embarrassante où tu as dû te déshabiller rapidement.
Que penses-tu de l'expression 'déshabiller Pierre pour habiller Paul' appliquée à l'économie ?
Décris le sentiment de liberté que l'on peut ressentir en se déshabillant après une longue journée.
Imagine une scène de film où un personnage refuse de se déshabiller.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is a neutral and standard verb. It is used by doctors, parents, and in everyday conversation without any negative or sexual connotation, unless the context specifically implies it.
You use the passé composé with 'être': 'Je me suis déshabillé' (for a man) or 'Je me suis déshabillée' (for a woman).
It's better to use 'enlever son manteau'. 'Se déshabiller' implies a more complete removal of clothing.
'Se déshabiller' is the common, everyday term. 'Se dévêtir' is more formal and literary. You'll hear the former at home and the latter in a novel.
Yes, always agree 'déshabillé' with the subject in reflexive constructions: 'Elles se sont déshabillées'.
No, the 'h' is silent (h muet). This leads to a 'z' sound liaison: 'vous vous déshabillez' sounds like 'vou-vou-dé-za-bi-yé'.
It means to take resources from one place to fix a problem in another, essentially not solving the overall problem. It's like 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'.
Use the non-reflexive form: 'Déshabiller le bébé'. Since you are doing it to someone else, you don't use 'se'.
Yes, it is very common slang among younger people. However, avoid using it in formal or professional settings.
When used as a noun, 'un déshabillé' refers to a light, often decorative, dressing gown or negligee worn by women.
Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen
Write a sentence in French: 'I undress before going to bed.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'She undressed at the doctor's.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'We are undressing in the locker room.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'Don't undress in the living room!' (tu)
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Write a sentence in French: 'They (m) undressed quickly.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'You (vous) must undress for the exam.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'I will undress when I arrive.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'The child refuses to undress.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'Why are you undressing?' (tu)
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Write a sentence in French: 'She undressed of her fears.' (metaphorical)
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Write a sentence in French: 'Please undress behind the curtain.' (vous)
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Write a sentence in French: 'We undressed to swim in the lake.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'He was undressing when I entered.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'They (f) undressed in the dark.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'I prefer to undress in my room.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'Undress the doll.' (not reflexive)
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Write a sentence in French: 'After undressing, he took a bath.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'One must undress before the sauna.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'She is undressing slowly.'
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Write a sentence in French: 'Will you undress?' (tu, future)
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Say in French: 'I undress.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'Undress yourself!' (tu)
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'We undress.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'She undressed.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'They (m) undressed.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'Do you undress?' (tu)
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'I don't undress.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'You (vous) undress.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'I must undress.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'Undress the child.' (not reflexive)
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'Go undress!' (tu)
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'We undressed for the bath.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'I'm getting undressed.' (slang)
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'Don't undress!' (vous)
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'She will undress.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'I undressed in the dark.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'We used to undress.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'He refuses to undress.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'Please undress.' (vous)
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Say in French: 'They (f) undressed.'
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
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Listen and write: 'Je me déshabille.'
Listen and write: 'Déshabille-toi !'
Listen and write: 'Elle s'est déshabillée.'
Listen and write: 'Nous nous déshabillons.'
Listen and write: 'Vous vous déshabillez.'
Listen and write: 'Ils se sont déshabillés.'
Listen and write: 'Tu dois te déshabiller.'
Listen and write: 'Je ne me déshabille pas.'
Listen and write: 'On se déshabille ?'
Listen and write: 'Ne vous déshabillez pas.'
Listen and write: 'Il s'est déshabillé vite.'
Listen and write: 'Elles se déshabillent.'
Listen and write: 'Va te déshabiller.'
Listen and write: 'Pourquoi se déshabiller ?'
Listen and write: 'Veuillez vous déshabiller.'
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The verb 'se déshabiller' is the standard French way to say 'to undress'. Remember it is reflexive: 'Je me déshabille'. In the past tense, use 'être': 'Elle s'est déshabillée'. It's more general than 'enlever', which is for specific items.
- A regular -er reflexive verb meaning to undress oneself.
- Essential for daily routines, medical contexts, and swimming.
- Requires 'être' in the passé composé with subject agreement.
- Can be used metaphorically to mean revealing a core truth.
Reflexive Pronouns
Never forget the 'me, te, se, nous, vous, se'. Without them, the verb changes meaning to undressing someone else.
The Silent H
Treat the 'h' as if it isn't there. Connect the 's' of 'dés' to the 'a' to make a 'z' sound.
General vs. Specific
Use 'se déshabiller' for the whole body and 'enlever' for specific items like shoes or jewelry.
Medical Usage
In a French medical context, 'Déshabillez-vous' is a very common and polite instruction.
Beispiel
Il se déshabille avant d'aller au lit.
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