Maigrir is the standard French verb for losing weight.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To lose weight or become thinner.
- Commonly used to describe health or diet goals.
- A regular verb of the second group.
Aperçu
'Maigrir' est un verbe intransitif du deuxième groupe (terminaison en -ir, participe présent en -issant). Il exprime un processus graduel ou volontaire de réduction de la masse corporelle.
Modèles d'utilisation
Le verbe est souvent utilisé avec des adverbes de manière ou de quantité (ex: 'maigrir rapidement', 'beaucoup maigrir'). On peut aussi l'employer de manière réflexive ou avec un complément pour exprimer un objectif, comme 'maigrir de deux kilos'.
Contextes courants
On retrouve ce terme dans des discussions sur la nutrition, le sport, la santé publique ou les résolutions personnelles. Il est très fréquent dans les magazines de bien-être et les conseils médicaux.
Comparaison
Contrairement à 'mincir' qui souligne l'aspect esthétique et le changement de silhouette, 'maigrir' met l'accent sur la perte de poids chiffrée ou la diminution de la masse corporelle. 'Amaigrir' est son équivalent transitif (ex: 'Ce régime m'a amaigri'), ce qui marque une différence importante de construction grammaticale.
Examples
Il a beaucoup maigri cet été.
everydayHe lost a lot of weight this summer.
Ce médicament fait maigrir le patient.
formalThis medication makes the patient lose weight.
Je veux maigrir un peu avant les vacances.
informalI want to lose a little weight before the holidays.
Une étude démontre que le jeûne aide à maigrir.
academicA study shows that fasting helps to lose weight.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Il a maigri à vue d'œil.
He lost weight very visibly.
C'est un régime pour maigrir.
It is a diet for weight loss.
Il ne faut pas maigrir trop vite.
You shouldn't lose weight too quickly.
Often Confused With
Mincir focuses on the aesthetic aspect of becoming slender, whereas maigrir focuses on the biological loss of weight.
Amaigrir is the transitive form, meaning to cause someone else to lose weight. Maigrir is strictly intransitive.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Maigrir is a neutral term used in both daily conversation and medical contexts. It is important to remember that it is intransitive, meaning it cannot take a direct object. When you want to express that someone is causing another to lose weight, use the causative structure 'faire maigrir'.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent error is trying to use 'maigrir' as a transitive verb, such as saying 'je maigris mon corps'. Another mistake is forgetting the -iss- infix in the plural forms of the present tense, like writing 'nous maigrissons' incorrectly.
Tips
Use the second group conjugation
Remember that maigrir follows the same pattern as finir. You must include the -iss- infix in plural forms.
Avoid transitive misuse
Never use maigrir as a transitive verb. Do not say 'je maigris mon corps'.
Focus on healthy lifestyle
In France, discussions about weight are often linked to 'le bien-être' and balanced nutrition rather than just strict dieting.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'maigre', which comes from the Latin 'macer', meaning lean or thin. The verb suffix -ir was added to denote the process of becoming that state.
Cultural Context
Weight management is a significant cultural topic in France, often framed within the 'art de vivre' and the importance of healthy, balanced eating habits rather than extreme dieting.
Memory Tip
Think of 'maigre' (thin). If you are 'maigre', you have already successfully 'maigri'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsMaigrir insiste sur la perte de poids mesurable, tandis que mincir se concentre davantage sur l'aspect visuel ou la silhouette.
Non, c'est incorrect. On dira plutôt 'j'ai perdu du ventre' ou 'mon ventre a diminué'.
Non, il est intransitif. Si vous voulez dire que quelque chose vous a fait perdre du poids, utilisez le verbe 'amaigrir'.
Je maigris, tu maigris, il maigrit, nous maigrissons, vous maigrissez, ils maigrissent.
Test Yourself
Depuis qu'il fait du sport, il a ___ de cinq kilos.
Le participe passé du verbe maigrir est 'maigri'.
Nous ___ chaque semaine.
La conjugaison à la première personne du pluriel au présent est 'nous maigrissons'.
veut / il / maigrir / vite
La structure sujet + verbe conjugué + infinitif + adverbe est correcte.
Score: /3
Summary
Maigrir is the standard French verb for losing weight.
- To lose weight or become thinner.
- Commonly used to describe health or diet goals.
- A regular verb of the second group.
Use the second group conjugation
Remember that maigrir follows the same pattern as finir. You must include the -iss- infix in plural forms.
Avoid transitive misuse
Never use maigrir as a transitive verb. Do not say 'je maigris mon corps'.
Focus on healthy lifestyle
In France, discussions about weight are often linked to 'le bien-être' and balanced nutrition rather than just strict dieting.
Examples
4 of 4Il a beaucoup maigri cet été.
He lost a lot of weight this summer.
Ce médicament fait maigrir le patient.
This medication makes the patient lose weight.
Je veux maigrir un peu avant les vacances.
I want to lose a little weight before the holidays.
Une étude démontre que le jeûne aide à maigrir.
A study shows that fasting helps to lose weight.
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