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A2 noun #2,500 most common 6 min read

au repos

At the A1 level, 'au repos' is introduced as a basic way to describe someone who is not moving or working. It is often taught alongside simple verbs like 'dormir' (to sleep) or 'manger' (to eat). Learners should recognize it in simple sentences like 'Le chat est au repos' (The cat is at rest/resting). The focus is on the literal meaning of physical stillness. It helps beginners describe their daily routine or the state of animals and objects in a very basic way. Teachers might use it to explain the difference between being active and being still. At this stage, students don't need to worry about the complex medical or physics applications, just the idea of 'not moving' or 'taking a break'.
At the A2 level, students learn to use 'au repos' in more specific contexts, particularly health and sports. This is where the phrase becomes very practical. You might learn to talk about your 'pouls au repos' (resting pulse) or explain to a doctor that you are 'au repos' because of a small injury. It is also the stage where you distinguish between 'se reposer' (the action of resting) and 'être au repos' (the state of being at rest). You start to see it used with machines (the car is at rest) or in simple cooking instructions (let the dough rest). The focus is on expanding the use of the phrase into common life situations and basic professional contexts.
At the B1 level, 'au repos' starts to appear in more abstract and nuanced contexts. Learners are expected to understand it in news reports (e.g., a political situation being 'au repos' or calm) or in more detailed technical descriptions. You might encounter it in discussions about the environment (a dormant volcano) or psychology (a mind at rest). The grammar becomes more integrated, and students should be able to use it with various verbs like 'mettre' or 'laisser' correctly. At this level, the distinction between 'au repos' and 'en congé' (on leave) becomes important to avoid common translation errors from English. The vocabulary surrounding it also expands to include synonyms like 'immobile' or 'inactif'.
At the B2 level, the phrase is used with full native-like flexibility. Students should understand its use in formal writing, scientific texts, and literature. In physics, 'l'énergie au repos' (rest energy) or 'un corps au repos' (a body at rest) are standard terms. In literature, it might describe a 'nature au repos' (nature at rest) to evoke a specific mood. B2 learners should be able to debate the importance of being 'au repos' for mental health or productivity, using the phrase naturally in complex sentences. They should also recognize the subtle difference between 'au repos' and 'en veille' (standby) in modern technology contexts.
At the C1 level, 'au repos' is understood in all its metaphorical and stylistic depth. A C1 learner can appreciate how an author uses the phrase to create irony or a sense of foreboding (e.g., the 'repos' before a storm). They understand the legal and medical implications of 'repos' in labor laws or clinical studies. The phrase is used in high-level academic discourse, such as discussing the 'état au repos' of a neural network or a social system. At this level, the learner is sensitive to the register and knows that 'au repos' is more formal and precise than 'en train de se reposer'. They can use it to add precision to their professional or academic French.
At the C2 level, mastery of 'au repos' involves total command of its use in highly specialized fields like quantum mechanics, advanced philosophy, or classical literature. A C2 speaker might discuss the 'conscience au repos' in a philosophical treatise on ethics or analyze the 'repos' of a poetic meter. They can navigate the most subtle linguistic nuances, such as why a writer chose 'au repos' over 'coi' or 'transi'. The phrase is no longer just a vocabulary item but a tool for precise expression in any possible context, from the most technical scientific paper to the most evocative piece of creative writing. The speaker uses it with an innate sense of rhythm and stylistic appropriateness.
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

au repos in 30 Seconds

  • Describes a state of physical or mechanical inactivity.
  • Commonly used in medical contexts (resting heart rate).
  • Invariable phrase used with verbs like 'être', 'mettre', and 'laisser'.
  • Essential for describing baseline states in science and daily life.

The French phrase "au repos" is a versatile prepositional locution that fundamentally describes a state of inactivity, stillness, or recuperation. While it literally translates to "at rest," its application spans across medical, mechanical, physical, and everyday conversational contexts. In its most basic sense, it refers to a person or object that is not currently performing work, undergoing exertion, or in motion. For a human being, being au repos implies a lack of physical or mental strain, often used by healthcare professionals to measure baseline physiological statistics. For instance, your resting heart rate is your fréquence cardiaque au repos.

Physical State
A condition where no external force or internal effort is causing movement or stress.
Medical Context
The baseline state of a biological system used for clinical comparison.
Mechanical/Technical
A machine or circuit that is powered down or in a standby mode.

Le médecin a conseillé de rester au repos complet pendant trois jours pour favoriser la guérison.

Beyond the physical, the term can also apply to the mind or the spirit. When one's conscience is au repos, it suggests a state of peace or lack of guilt. In the world of physics, an object au repos is one that maintains a constant position relative to a specific frame of reference. This concept is crucial in Newtonian mechanics. The phrase is also used in culinary arts, particularly when letting dough or meat sit after preparation to allow fibers to relax or yeast to activate. This "resting period" is essential for the quality of the final product.

L'ascenseur est actuellement au repos au rez-de-chaussée.

In a broader societal context, being au repos can sometimes be confused with being "on vacation" (en vacances) or "off duty" (en congé). However, au repos specifically emphasizes the lack of activity rather than the administrative status of one's employment. A soldier might be au repos between drills, even if they are technically on duty. This nuance is vital for A2 learners to grasp as they transition from simple vocabulary to contextual usage.

Using "au repos" correctly requires understanding its role as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb (usually être, mettre, or laisser). It describes the state of the subject. The most common construction is [Sujet] + être + au repos. For example, "Le moteur est au repos" (The engine is at rest). This indicates that the engine is not running.

With 'Mettre'
To put something into a state of rest (e.g., Mettre un joueur au repos).
With 'Laisser'
To allow something to remain at rest (e.g., Laisser la pâte au repos).

Après l'entraînement intensif, l'entraîneur a décidé de mettre les titulaires au repos.

When discussing health, it is often paired with nouns like pouls, tension, or respiration. In these cases, it functions almost like an adjective following the noun: "Sa tension au repos est excellente." This usage is very common in sports science and medical reports. It is also important to note that the phrase does not change for gender or number; it is invariable because it is a prepositional phrase.

Il est important de mesurer votre fréquence cardiaque au repos dès le réveil.

You will encounter "au repos" in several distinct environments. The most frequent is the medical or fitness setting. Doctors use it to establish a baseline for patient health. If you go for a check-up, the nurse might ask you to sit quietly so they can take your measurements au repos. Similarly, fitness trackers and smartwatches frequently display your "resting heart rate" as "pouls au repos."

In the Kitchen
Recipes often instruct you to leave dough 'au repos' for 30 minutes.
In Physics Class
Teachers discuss objects 'au repos' to explain inertia and force.

Laissez la viande au repos quelques minutes après la cuisson pour qu'elle reste juteuse.

In the workplace, specifically in manual labor or high-stress jobs, you might hear supervisors talk about putting equipment au repos for maintenance. In sports journalism, you'll hear about star athletes being au repos for a minor injury or to save energy for a big match. It is a formal and precise way to say someone is not active without implying they are lazy or unemployed.

A frequent error for English speakers is confusing "au repos" with "en repos." While "en repos" was used historically and can still be found in some military or administrative contexts to mean "on a day off," modern usage almost exclusively favors au repos for physical and biological states. Using "en repos" to describe a resting heart rate would sound archaic or slightly incorrect to a native speaker.

Incorrect: Je suis en repos aujourd'hui. (Better: Je suis en congé / C'est mon jour de repos).

Another mistake is forgetting that au repos is an invariable phrase. Learners sometimes try to pluralize it (aux repos) when talking about multiple people. This is incorrect. Whether one person or ten people are resting, they are all au repos. Additionally, do not confuse it with the verb 'se reposer' (to rest). 'Au repos' describes the state, while 'se reposer' is the action.

Several words share a semantic field with "au repos", but they carry different nuances. "Immobile" suggests a total lack of movement, often sudden or rigid, whereas au repos implies a natural or intended state of non-activity. "Inactif" is more general and can refer to a person's lifestyle or a chemical substance, while au repos is usually temporary.

Tranquille
Focuses on the lack of noise or disturbance rather than physical exertion.
En pause
Suggests a temporary interruption of an ongoing process.

Le volcan est au repos depuis des siècles, mais il n'est pas éteint.

In a medical context, "stationnaire" might be used to describe a condition that isn't changing, but it doesn't mean the patient is resting. "Détendu" (relaxed) refers to a psychological or muscular state, which often accompanies being au repos but isn't synonymous with it. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the most precise term for the situation.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Informal

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Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

1

Le chien est au repos dans son panier.

The dog is at rest in its basket.

Simple 'être au repos' construction.

2

Je suis au repos après l'école.

I am at rest after school.

Subject + verb + prepositional phrase.

3

Le vélo est au repos contre le mur.

The bike is at rest against the wall.

Used for an inanimate object.

4

Maman est au repos aujourd'hui.

Mom is at rest today.

Describing a person's state.

5

Le jardin est au repos en hiver.

The garden is at rest in winter.

Metaphorical use for nature.

6

Tout le monde est au repos à minuit.

Everyone is at rest at midnight.

General state of a group.

7

Mon jouet est au repos.

My toy is at rest.

Simple object description.

8

L'oiseau est au repos sur la branche.

The bird is at rest on the branch.

Describing an animal.

1

Votre pouls au repos est de 60 battements par minute.

Your resting pulse is 60 beats per minute.

Noun + au repos (medical context).

2

Laissez la pâte au repos pendant une heure.

Leave the dough to rest for one hour.

Laisser + noun + au repos (culinary).

3

Après le sport, mon corps est au repos.

After sports, my body is at rest.

Physical state after exertion.

4

La machine doit être au repos pour le nettoyage.

The machine must be at rest for cleaning.

Technical requirement.

5

Il faut rester au repos après l'opération.

It is necessary to stay at rest after the operation.

Rester + au repos (medical advice).

6

Le moteur est au repos depuis dix minutes.

The engine has been at rest for ten minutes.

Duration with 'depuis'.

7

Je mesure ma tension au repos tous les matins.

I measure my resting blood pressure every morning.

Routine medical usage.

8

Les joueurs sont au repos avant le grand match.

The players are at rest before the big match.

Strategic rest in sports.

1

Le volcan est au repos, mais il reste dangereux.

The volcano is dormant, but it remains dangerous.

Geological context (dormant).

2

Il est difficile de garder l'esprit au repos dans ce monde bruyant.

It is difficult to keep the mind at rest in this noisy world.

Mental/Psychological state.

3

La loi impose de mettre les employés au repos après six heures de travail.

The law requires employees to be put at rest after six hours of work.

Legal/Administrative context.

4

Le navire est au repos dans le port de Marseille.

The ship is at rest in the port of Marseille.

Describing a vessel.

5

L'économie semble être au repos ce trimestre.

The economy seems to be at a standstill this quarter.

Figurative/Economic use.

6

Mettez votre téléphone au repos pendant le dîner.

Put your phone away/at rest during dinner.

Modern technology usage.

7

Sa conscience est au repos car il a fait le bon choix.

His conscience is at peace because he made the right choice.

Idiomatic/Moral state.

8

Le système informatique est au repos pour maintenance.

The computer system is down for maintenance.

IT/Technical context.

1

En physique, un objet au repos tend à le rester.

In physics, an object at rest tends to stay at rest.

Scientific principle (Inertia).

2

La fréquence respiratoire au repos varie selon l'âge.

The resting respiratory rate varies according to age.

Technical medical terminology.

3

L'artiste a capturé la nature au repos dans son dernier tableau.

The artist captured nature at rest in his latest painting.

Artistic/Literary description.

4

Le projet est au repos en attendant de nouveaux financements.

The project is on hold pending new funding.

Business/Professional context.

5

Il faut laisser les sols au repos pour qu'ils retrouvent leur fertilité.

Soil must be left fallow so it regains its fertility.

Agricultural context (fallow).

6

Son visage au repos paraissait étrangement sévère.

His face at rest appeared strangely stern.

Describing physical features.

7

Le tribunal a mis l'affaire au repos pour quelques semaines.

The court put the case on hold for a few weeks.

Legal procedure.

8

Le muscle au repos consomme moins d'oxygène.

The resting muscle consumes less oxygen.

Physiological fact.

1

L'énergie au repos d'une particule est définie par la célèbre équation d'Einstein.

The rest energy of a particle is defined by Einstein's famous equation.

Advanced physics (Rest mass/energy).

2

Le poète décrit une mer au repos, miroir d'une âme apaisée.

The poet describes a sea at rest, a mirror of a soothed soul.

Literary analysis.

3

Après des années de conflit, la région est enfin au repos.

After years of conflict, the region is finally at peace.

Geopolitical context.

4

L'étude porte sur l'activité cérébrale au repos (le mode par défaut).

The study focuses on resting-state brain activity (default mode).

Neuroscience terminology.

5

Elle ne trouvait pas le repos, même quand son corps était au repos.

She could not find peace, even when her body was at rest.

Contrast between physical and mental state.

6

Le mécanisme d'horlogerie est au repos complet.

The clockwork mechanism is at a complete standstill.

Precise mechanical description.

7

L'administration a laissé ce dossier au repos trop longtemps.

The administration has left this file dormant for too long.

Metaphorical bureaucratic use.

8

La symphonie commence par un mouvement au repos, presque imperceptible.

The symphony begins with a movement at rest, almost imperceptible.

Musicology/Aesthetic description.

1

La singularité initiale ne saurait être considérée comme un état au repos.

The initial singularity cannot be considered a state at rest.

Cosmological/Philosophical discourse.

2

L'ontologie de l'objet au repos interroge la permanence de l'être.

The ontology of the object at rest questions the permanence of being.

Philosophical terminology.

3

L'équilibre d'un système thermodynamique au repos est une idéalisation théorique.

The equilibrium of a thermodynamic system at rest is a theoretical idealization.

Advanced thermodynamics.

4

Le style de l'auteur, bien que semblant au repos, cache une tension dramatique constante.

The author's style, though appearing at rest, hides a constant dramatic tension.

Literary criticism.

5

Dans le vide quantique, rien n'est jamais véritablement au repos.

In the quantum vacuum, nothing is ever truly at rest.

Quantum physics.

6

La mise au repos des terres arables est une stratégie de résilience écologique.

Leaving arable land fallow is a strategy for ecological resilience.

Environmental science/Policy.

7

L'architecture de ce bâtiment évoque une force au repos, prête à jaillir.

The architecture of this building evokes a force at rest, ready to spring forth.

Architectural theory.

8

L'appareil diplomatique est au repos forcé en raison de la rupture des relations.

The diplomatic apparatus is at a forced standstill due to the severance of relations.

High-level political analysis.

Common Collocations

pouls au repos
tension au repos
fréquence cardiaque au repos
muscle au repos
corps au repos
moteur au repos
esprit au repos
conscience au repos
terre au repos
état au repos

Common Phrases

être au repos

mettre au repos

laisser au repos

rester au repos

un moment au repos

au repos complet

au repos forcé

au repos relatif

position au repos

temps au repos

Often Confused With

au repos vs en repos

au repos vs en congé

au repos vs se reposer

Idioms & Expressions

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Easily Confused

au repos vs

au repos vs

au repos vs

au repos vs

au repos vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

Medical

Crucial for baseline measurements.

Culinary

Refers to the resting time of ingredients.

Military

Refers to the 'at ease' position.

Mechanical

Refers to a non-operating state.

Common Mistakes
  • Saying 'en repos' for a resting heart rate.
  • Pluralizing to 'aux repos'.
  • Using it as a verb (e.g., 'Je repos' instead of 'Je me repose').
  • Confusing it with 'repas' (meal).
  • Using it for 'on vacation' (en vacances).

Tips

Invariability

Remember that 'au repos' never takes an 's' even if the subject is plural.

Medical Use

Learn 'pouls au repos' as a single block of vocabulary for health contexts.

Cooking

When baking, 'laisser au repos' is essential for gluten development.

Silent S

The 's' at the end of 'repos' is always silent. Focus on the 'o' sound.

Precision

Use 'au repos' instead of 'immobile' when the lack of motion is natural or intended.

Work-Life Balance

In France, 'le repos' is a legal right. Use it to discuss labor laws.

Scientific Context

Use it to describe objects in a state of inertia.

Mental Health

Talk about 'l'esprit au repos' to describe meditation or peace.

Avoid 'en repos'

Native speakers almost always use 'au repos' for physical states.

Conscience

Use 'avoir la conscience au repos' to say you have nothing to hide.

Memorize It

Word Origin

From the verb 'reposer', which comes from the Late Latin 'repausare' (to rest again).

Cultural Context

The 'nature morte' (still life) often depicts objects 'au repos'.

French chefs insist on letting meat 'au repos' after cooking to redistribute juices.

The law of 1906 established Sunday as a mandatory day of rest for employees.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Quel est ton pouls au repos ?"

"Est-ce que tu laisses la pâte au repos avant de cuire le pain ?"

"Combien de jours de repos as-tu après un marathon ?"

"Est-ce que ton ordinateur est souvent au repos ?"

"Comment mets-tu ton esprit au repos après le travail ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez un moment où vous vous sentez parfaitement au repos.

Pourquoi est-il important de laisser la nature au repos ?

Parlez d'une fois où vous avez dû rester au repos forcé.

Comment votre corps se sent-il quand il est au repos ?

Est-ce que les machines devraient être plus souvent au repos ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It's better to say 'Je suis en congé' or 'C'est mon jour de repos'. 'Au repos' sounds like you are physically lying down.

The noun 'repos' is masculine, which is why we use 'au' (à + le).

It is 'fréquence cardiaque au repos' or 'pouls au repos'.

Yes, it means the computer is not processing anything or is in sleep mode.

The opposite is 'en activité' or 'en mouvement'.

No, it is an invariable phrase. 'Ils sont au repos'.

Yes, 'laisser la pâte au repos' is a very common instruction.

It means having a clear conscience, feeling no guilt.

It is neutral to formal. It is used in medical and scientific contexts.

Yes, it means 'total bed rest' or 'complete standstill'.

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