Fatiguer is the standard verb for causing tiredness, whether physical, mental, or emotional.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To make someone feel physically or mentally tired.
- Used to express annoyance or loss of patience.
- Can be used reflexively as 'se fatiguer'.
Présentation
'Fatiguer' est un verbe du premier groupe (terminaison en -er) extrêmement courant en français. Il décrit l'état de perte de vigueur, qu'il s'agisse d'un corps épuisé par le sport ou d'un esprit lassé par le travail intellectuel. 2) Modèles d'utilisation : Le verbe est transitif direct, ce qui signifie qu'il nécessite un complément d'objet direct (COD). Par exemple, 'Le sport me fatigue'. À la forme pronominale, 'se fatiguer', il indique que le sujet est l'auteur et la victime de sa propre fatigue. 3) Contextes courants : On l'utilise souvent dans le cadre quotidien pour parler d'activités physiques ('marcher fatigue'), de journées de travail ('cette réunion m'a fatigué') ou de relations sociales ('il me fatigue avec ses histoires'). Dans un sens figuré, il exprime l'exaspération : 'Cela commence à me fatiguer' signifie que l'on perd patience. 4) Comparaison : Contrairement à 'épuiser' qui marque un degré extrême de fatigue, 'fatiguer' est plus général. 'Lasser' est un synonyme plus proche de l'ennui mental, tandis que 'fatiguer' conserve une dimension physique très forte.
Examples
Le sport me fatigue beaucoup.
everydaySports make me very tired.
Cette situation commence à me fatiguer.
formalThis situation is starting to tire me out.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Ne te fatigue pas
Don't bother
Se fatiguer pour rien
To waste one's energy
Often Confused With
Lasser implies being bored or fed up with something repetitive, whereas fatiguer focuses more on the loss of energy.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Fatiguer is a neutral verb used in all registers. It is highly versatile, covering physical exhaustion, mental strain, and emotional annoyance. Avoid using it to mean 'bored' unless you specifically mean the activity has drained your energy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget the reflexive 'se' when talking about themselves. Another error is using it as an adjective instead of the past participle 'fatigué'. Always check if you are describing an action or a state.
Tips
Use reflexive form for self-exhaustion
Remember to use 'se fatiguer' when you are the one doing the tiring activity. It helps distinguish between external causes and your own actions.
Don't confuse with 'fatigué'
Fatigué is the past participle used as an adjective. Ensure you use the verb form 'fatiguer' for actions and the adjective for states.
Expressing annoyance in French
French speakers frequently use 'ça me fatigue' to politely express that they are tired of a situation. It is less aggressive than saying 'ça m'énerve'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'fatigare', which means to weary or tire. It has remained consistent in meaning throughout the evolution into French.
Cultural Context
In French culture, expressing fatigue is a common way to signal that a limit has been reached. It is a socially acceptable way to set boundaries.
Memory Tip
Think of 'fatigue' as 'fag-i-tigue', sounds like a 'fat' tire losing air. When you are tired, you are like a tire that has lost its pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsFatiguer est transitif et agit sur quelqu'un d'autre, tandis que se fatiguer est pronominal et signifie que l'on s'épuise soi-même. Par exemple, 'Le travail me fatigue' contre 'Je me fatigue à essayer de comprendre'.
Oui, dans un sens technique. On peut dire qu'une pièce mécanique est fatiguée par une utilisation intensive, ce qui signifie qu'elle est usée.
Oui, c'est un verbe du premier groupe se terminant en -er. Il suit la conjugaison standard des verbes comme 'parler' ou 'manger'.
Test Yourself
Après dix kilomètres de course, je ___ beaucoup.
Le sujet fait l'action sur lui-même, donc on utilise le verbe pronominal.
Score: /1
Summary
Fatiguer is the standard verb for causing tiredness, whether physical, mental, or emotional.
- To make someone feel physically or mentally tired.
- Used to express annoyance or loss of patience.
- Can be used reflexively as 'se fatiguer'.
Use reflexive form for self-exhaustion
Remember to use 'se fatiguer' when you are the one doing the tiring activity. It helps distinguish between external causes and your own actions.
Don't confuse with 'fatigué'
Fatigué is the past participle used as an adjective. Ensure you use the verb form 'fatiguer' for actions and the adjective for states.
Expressing annoyance in French
French speakers frequently use 'ça me fatigue' to politely express that they are tired of a situation. It is less aggressive than saying 'ça m'énerve'.
Examples
2 of 2Le sport me fatigue beaucoup.
Sports make me very tired.
Cette situation commence à me fatiguer.
This situation is starting to tire me out.
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