This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 verb 14 min read

patienter

Examples patienter in 30 Seconds
Explanation patienter in your Level:
400+w
Sign up free to read full explanation
400+w
400+w
Sign up free to read full explanation
400+w
Sign up free to read full explanation
400+w
Sign up free to read full explanation
400+w
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

patienter in 30 Seconds

  • "Patienter" means to wait patiently.
  • It emphasizes calm during delays.
  • Use it when you need to show composure.
  • More nuanced than "attendre" (to wait).
The French verb "patienter" translates directly to "to wait patiently" or "to show patience while waiting" in English. It's used when someone is in a situation where they must wait for something or someone, and the emphasis is on maintaining a calm and composed demeanor during that waiting period. It implies a conscious effort not to become agitated or impatient. You might hear "patienter" in various everyday scenarios, from queues in shops to waiting for appointments, or even in more abstract situations like waiting for a decision or a result. It conveys a sense of enduring a period of delay with grace. For instance, if you are at a doctor's office and the wait is longer than expected, you might tell yourself or someone else, "Il faut patienter." (We must wait patiently). This verb is particularly useful when you want to encourage someone to remain calm and understanding in a waiting situation. It's a polite and somewhat formal way to express the need for patience, often used to de-escalate potential frustration. The nuance lies in the active choice to be patient, rather than simply enduring a wait passively. It suggests a positive attitude towards the waiting process, acknowledging that some things take time. The word itself is derived from the Latin word "patiens," meaning suffering or enduring, which perfectly captures the essence of actively bearing a period of waiting. When you use "patienter," you are not just saying you are waiting; you are communicating that you are waiting with a measured and calm disposition. This distinction is important in French communication, where politeness and consideration for others are highly valued.
Core Meaning
To wait with composure and without annoyance.
Situational Use
When a delay is expected or unavoidable and a calm attitude is required.
Implied Attitude
Endurance, calm, and understanding during a period of waiting.

Excusez-moi, je dois patienter un peu plus longtemps pour mon rendez-vous.

Excuse me, I have to wait a bit longer for my appointment.

Il faut patienter que le feu passe au vert.

We must wait for the light to turn green.

Les clients sont priés de patienter dans le salon.

Customers are asked to wait in the lounge.

Le train a du retard, nous allons devoir patienter sur le quai.

The train is delayed, we will have to wait on the platform.

Soyez patient, il faut patienter pour que la cuisson soit parfaite.

Be patient, we need to wait for the cooking to be perfect.
"Patienter" is a regular -er verb, and its conjugation follows the standard pattern. The imperative form is particularly useful for giving advice or instructions to wait calmly. For example, in the imperative, "Patiente !" (Wait patiently! - informal singular), "Patiencez !" (Wait patiently! - formal singular or plural), and "Soyons patients !" (Let's wait patiently!). When used in the present tense, it indicates an ongoing action of waiting patiently. "Je patiente depuis une heure." (I have been waiting patiently for an hour). In the past tense (passé composé), it would be "J'ai patienté." (I have waited patiently). The future tense "Je patienterai" (I will wait patiently) expresses a future intention to wait with patience. It's often used with prepositions like "pour" (for) or "dans" (in) to specify what one is waiting for or where the waiting is happening. For instance, "Il faut patienter pour avoir une réponse." (One must wait patiently to get an answer). Or, "Nous allons patienter dans le hall." (We are going to wait patiently in the hall). The verb can also be used reflexively in some contexts, though less commonly than the non-reflexive form, to emphasize the personal effort of being patient. However, the standard non-reflexive form is most prevalent. Understanding its conjugation is key to using it correctly in various tenses and moods. Remember that "patienter" carries a stronger sense of active, composed waiting than simply "attendre." It's about managing one's emotions and demeanor during a delay. Consider the context: are you simply waiting, or are you actively trying to remain calm and composed while waiting? If it's the latter, "patienter" is the word.
Conjugation
Regular -er verb. Present tense: je patiente, tu patientes, il/elle/on patiente, nous patientons, vous patientez, ils/elles patientent. Passé composé: j'ai patienté.
Imperative Usage
"Patiente !" (informal singular), "Patiencez !" (formal singular/plural), "Soyons patients !" (Let's be patient!).
Prepositional Usage
Often followed by "pour" (for) or "dans" (in) to specify the object or location of waiting.

Le médecin vous demande de patienter dans la salle d'attente.

The doctor asks you to wait patiently in the waiting room.

Il faut patienter avant de pouvoir entrer.

We must wait patiently before being able to enter.

Nous avons dû patienter longtemps à la frontière.

We had to wait patiently for a long time at the border.

S'il vous plaît, patiente un instant, je reviens tout de suite.

Please, wait patiently a moment, I'll be right back. (informal)

Les fans doivent patienter pour obtenir des autographes.

Fans must wait patiently to get autographs.
You'll hear "patienter" in a multitude of real-life situations across France and other French-speaking regions. In public service settings, announcements often urge people to "patienter" due to delays or capacity issues. For example, at train stations: "Nous prions nos voyageurs de bien vouloir patienter sur le quai." (We ask our travelers to please wait patiently on the platform.) In hospitals or doctor's offices, receptionists might say to patients: "Le docteur va vous recevoir, il faut juste patienter quelques minutes." (The doctor will see you, you just need to wait a few minutes.) In administrative offices, like the post office or a government agency, you might hear: "Veuillez patienter votre tour." (Please wait your turn.) Even in less formal settings, like waiting for a table at a popular restaurant, a host might reassure you: "Il y aura un peu d'attente, mais vous n'aurez qu'à patienter au bar." (There will be a bit of a wait, but you'll just have to wait patiently at the bar.) Online, on websites with long loading times or when contacting customer service, you might see messages like: "Merci de patienter pendant le chargement de la page." (Thank you for waiting patiently while the page loads.) In educational contexts, teachers might tell students to "patienter" when they're eager to move on to the next activity: "Il faut patienter, nous allons bientôt commencer la nouvelle leçon." (We must wait patiently, we will soon start the new lesson.) The verb is also used metaphorically. For instance, when discussing a long-term project or a difficult situation that requires time to resolve, someone might say: "Il faut patienter, les choses vont s'arranger." (We must wait patiently, things will work out.) This shows that "patienter" isn't just about physical waiting, but also about enduring and remaining calm through periods of uncertainty or development. It's a word that embodies a cultural value of composure and understanding when faced with delays or challenges.
Public Announcements
Common in train stations, airports, and bus terminals to inform passengers about delays or procedures.
Healthcare Settings
Used by receptionists or medical staff to indicate that patients need to wait for their turn.
Customer Service
Found in messages on websites, phone trees, or spoken by representatives during hold times.
Everyday Interactions
Used in restaurants, shops, or when dealing with administrative tasks that involve waiting.
Metaphorical Usage
Applied to situations requiring endurance, patience, and time for resolution, not just physical waiting.

La pharmacie vous demande de patienter car votre ordonnance est en cours de préparation.

The pharmacy asks you to wait patiently as your prescription is being prepared.

Le guichet est fermé pour la pause déjeuner, il faudra patienter jusqu'à 14 heures.

The counter is closed for lunch break, you will have to wait patiently until 2 PM.

L'application est en cours de mise à jour, veuillez patienter.

The application is being updated, please wait patiently.

Le résultat de l'examen prendra du temps, il faut patienter.

The exam result will take time, we need to wait patiently.

Dans la vie, il y a des moments où l'on doit simplement patienter.

In life, there are moments when one must simply wait patiently.
One common mistake for English speakers is to simply use "attendre" (to wait) when "patienter" would be more appropriate and convey a richer meaning. While "attendre" is perfectly correct for general waiting, "patienter" adds the crucial nuance of doing so calmly and without annoyance. For example, saying "Je dois attendre" (I must wait) is fine, but if you want to emphasize that you're trying to remain composed despite a long delay, "Je dois patienter" is better. Another error is to overuse "patienter" in situations where simple waiting is all that's required, making the statement sound overly formal or even slightly impatient if the context doesn't support the added emphasis on composure. For instance, if you're just waiting for a friend who is a few minutes late and you're not at all bothered, simply saying "J'attends mon ami" is more natural than "Je patiente mon ami." Grammatically, learners might sometimes confuse the conjugation of "patienter" with other -er verbs, especially in less common tenses or moods. However, as a regular -er verb, its conjugation is generally straightforward. A more subtle mistake is to forget that "patienter" implies an active effort. If someone is simply stuck in traffic and not actively trying to be patient, they are "attendant" in traffic, not necessarily "patientant" unless they are consciously managing their frustration. Therefore, the key is to understand the semantic difference: "attendre" is the act of waiting, while "patienter" is the act of waiting *patiently*. Misusing it can lead to sounding overly stoic or even passive-aggressive. It's also important not to confuse it with the noun "patience," which means patience as a quality. While related, "patienter" is the verb form, the action of exhibiting that quality.
Confusing with 'attendre'
Using "attendre" when the emphasis should be on waiting calmly and composedly. "Patienter" adds a layer of emotional management to the act of waiting.
Overuse in Simple Situations
Employing "patienter" when a simple "attendre" suffices, potentially sounding overly formal or implying a need for composure that isn't present.
Active vs. Passive Waiting
Forgetting that "patienter" implies an active effort to be calm, rather than just passively enduring a wait.
Verb vs. Noun Confusion
Confusing the verb "patienter" with the noun "patience," which refers to the quality of being patient.

Incorrect: Je dois attendre pour que mon colis arrive.

Correct: Je dois patienter pour que mon colis arrive.

Incorrect: I must wait for my package to arrive. (Too general)
Correct: I must wait patiently for my package to arrive. (Emphasizes composure)

Incorrect: J'attends mon ami.

Correct: Je patiente un peu car il est en retard.

Incorrect: I am waiting for my friend. (Neutral)
Correct: I am waiting patiently because he is late. (Shows effort to stay calm)

Incorrect: Il faut de la patienter pour réussir.

Correct: Il faut de la patience pour réussir.

Incorrect: One needs to wait patiently to succeed. (Verb used as noun)
Correct: One needs patience to succeed. (Noun used correctly)
While "patienter" is specific, other French words can be used to express waiting, each with its own nuance. The most direct alternative is "attendre." "Attendre" is a general verb meaning "to wait" and doesn't necessarily imply patience. It's the most common and versatile word for waiting. For example, "J'attends le bus" (I am waiting for the bus) is perfectly normal. If you want to emphasize that you're waiting for a long time, you might say "J'attends depuis longtemps" (I've been waiting for a long time). When you want to convey the idea of enduring or tolerating a difficult situation, "supporter" can sometimes be used, though it's stronger and implies suffering. For instance, "Il supporte la douleur" (He endures the pain). In the context of waiting, it's less common but could be used if the waiting is truly arduous. For a more formal or literary tone when referring to waiting, "escorter" (though this usually means to escort) can sometimes be used in archaic or specific contexts related to waiting for someone's arrival, but this is very rare and not a direct synonym. More relevantly, "se tenir prêt" (to hold oneself ready) implies waiting with anticipation, ready to act. "Nous devons nous tenir prêts pour l'arrivée du client." (We must hold ourselves ready for the client's arrival.) This is more about preparedness than just passive waiting. When someone is being actively encouraged to be patient, you might hear "Sois sage" (Be good/well-behaved) in a context where a child is being impatient. This is informal and context-dependent. In a more formal or encouraging context, you might hear "Ayez confiance" (Have faith/trust), which implies that things will eventually work out if you wait with faith. This is more about mindset than the act of waiting itself.
Attendre (to wait)
The most common and general verb for waiting. Lacks the nuance of patience. Example: "J'attends mon train." (I am waiting for my train.)
Supporter (to endure, to bear)
Implies enduring hardship or difficulty. Less common for simple waiting, more for arduous situations. Example: "Il supporte ce travail difficile." (He endures this difficult job.)
Se tenir prêt (to hold oneself ready)
Implies waiting with anticipation and readiness to act. More active than "patienter." Example: "Nous nous tenons prêts pour l'ouverture." (We are holding ourselves ready for the opening.)
Patience (noun: patience)
The quality of being patient. Related to "patienter" but used as a noun. Example: "La patience est une vertu." (Patience is a virtue.)

Comparing 'patienter' and 'attendre':

"J'attends la réponse." (I am waiting for the answer.) - Neutral statement.

"Je patiente la réponse." (I am waiting patiently for the answer.) - Implies calm composure during the wait.

Distinguishing between general waiting and patient waiting.

Using 'se tenir prêt':

"Il faut patienter avant de commencer." (One must wait patiently before starting.) - Focus on calm endurance.

"Nous devons nous tenir prêts pour commencer." (We must hold ourselves ready to start.) - Focus on preparedness.

Highlighting the difference between passive waiting and active readiness.
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1

Il faut patienter un peu.

We must wait a little.

Simple present tense, infinitive clause."Il faut" + infinitive is a common way to express necessity.

2

Patiencez dans le salon.

Wait patiently in the lounge.

Imperative, formal/plural. Used to give a direct instruction.

3

Je vais patienter ici.

I am going to wait here.

Future proche (near future). "aller" + infinitive. Indicates an intention to wait.

4

Le train a du retard, il faut patienter.

The train is delayed, we must wait.

Present tense used to describe a current situation and necessity.

5

Attendez, je dois patienter.

Wait, I must wait patiently.

Imperative "attendez" followed by an infinitive clause."Patienter" emphasizes the *manner* of waiting.

6

Nous avons patienté longtemps.

We waited patiently for a long time.

Passé composé. "avoir" + past participle. Used for completed actions in the past.

7

Il faut patienter pour avoir une réponse.

One must wait patiently to get an answer.

Infinitive clause with "pour" indicating purpose.

8

Soyez patient, il faut patienter.

Be patient, we must wait patiently.

Imperative "Soyez patient" followed by the verb "patienter" to reinforce the message.

1

Les clients sont priés de patienter dans le hall d'entrée.

Customers are requested to wait patiently in the entrance hall.

Passive voice ("sont priés de") followed by infinitive. Formal request.

2

Nous devons patienter que le feu passe au vert.

We must wait patiently for the light to turn green.

Subjunctive mood might be implied after "que" in some constructions, but here it's a simple infinitive clause after "patienter" is implied contextually, or more commonly "patienter pour que" or "attendre que" is used. Let's correct this to a more standard phrasing: "Nous devons patienter pour que le feu passe au vert."

3

Il est important de patienter pour obtenir des résultats significatifs.

It is important to wait patiently to achieve significant results.

"Il est important de" + infinitive. Emphasizes the value of patience for outcomes.

4

Elle a dû patienter pendant des heures à la préfecture.

She had to wait patiently for hours at the prefecture.

Passé composé with "devoir" (must/have to). "Pendant des heures" emphasizes the duration.

5

Je vous demande de bien vouloir patienter un instant.

I ask you to please wait patiently for a moment.

Formal request using "demander de bien vouloir" + infinitive.

6

Le succès demande du temps et il faut patienter.

Success takes time and one must wait patiently.

Two independent clauses connected by "et." The second clause emphasizes the need for patience.

7

On nous a dit de patienter à l'extérieur.

We were told to wait patiently outside.

Passive voice ("On nous a dit de") followed by infinitive.

8

Même dans les moments difficiles, il faut apprendre à patienter.

Even in difficult times, one must learn to wait patiently.

"Apprendre à" + infinitive. Focus on the skill of being patient.

1

La direction vous prie de patienter pendant la résolution du problème technique.

The management requests you to wait patiently while the technical problem is being resolved.

Formal request using "prie de" + infinitive. "Pendant" + gerund (implicit) or noun phrase.

2

Il est essentiel de patienter pour observer les effets à long terme de cette politique.

It is essential to wait patiently to observe the long-term effects of this policy.

"Il est essentiel de" + infinitive. Highlights the necessity of patient observation.

3

Les actionnaires devront patienter avant de voir un retour sur investissement substantiel.

Shareholders will have to wait patiently before seeing a substantial return on investment.

Future simple with "devoir" (will have to) followed by infinitive. "Avant de" + infinitive.

4

Nous avons été contraints de patienter de longues heures avant d'obtenir une audience.

We were forced to wait patiently for long hours before obtaining an audience.

Passive voice with "être contraint de" + infinitive. "Avant de" + infinitive.

5

Dans ce domaine, la persévérance et la capacité à patienter sont primordiales.

In this field, perseverance and the ability to wait patiently are paramount.

Noun phrase followed by "sont primordiales." "Capacité à patienter" shows the link between ability and the verb.

6

Il est parfois nécessaire de patienter et de laisser les choses suivre leur cours naturel.

It is sometimes necessary to wait patiently and let things take their natural course.

Coordinated infinitives after "nécessaire de." "Laisser" + object + infinitive.

7

La réussite de ce projet dépendra de notre aptitude à patienter.

The success of this project will depend on our ability to wait patiently.

Future simple with "dépendre de" + noun phrase. "Aptitude à" + infinitive.

8

Les organisateurs demandent aux participants de patienter calmement derrière la ligne de départ.

The organizers ask participants to wait patiently calmly behind the starting line.

"Demander à qqn de" + infinitive. "Calmement" adverb modifying "patienter."

1

Face à l'incertitude, une attitude de patience active, c'est-à-dire de patienter de manière réfléchie, s'impose.

Faced with uncertainty, an attitude of active patience, meaning to wait patiently in a thoughtful manner, is necessary.

Apposition explaining "patience active." "S'imposer" (to be necessary/impose itself).

2

Il est crucial de ne pas se précipiter et de patienter le temps nécessaire pour une analyse approfondie.

It is crucial not to rush and to wait patiently for the necessary time for an in-depth analysis.

"Ne pas se précipiter" (infinitive clause). "Le temps nécessaire" (the necessary time).

3

Les manifestations témoignent d'une volonté de ne plus patienter face à l'injustice.

The demonstrations show a desire to no longer wait patiently in the face of injustice.

"Volonté de ne plus" + infinitive. "Face à" (in the face of).

4

L'art de gouverner requiert la sagesse de patienter lorsque les circonstances l'exigent.

The art of governing requires the wisdom to wait patiently when circumstances demand it.

"Requiert la sagesse de" + infinitive. Subjunctive implied in "l'exigent" after "lorsque" indicating a hypothetical or conditional situation.

5

Dans une société axée sur la gratification immédiate, apprendre à patienter devient un véritable défi.

In a society focused on immediate gratification, learning to wait patiently becomes a real challenge.

"Axée sur" (focused on). "Apprendre à" + infinitive. "Devient" (becomes).

6

Il faut parfois accepter de patienter, même lorsque l'attente semble interminable.

One must sometimes accept to wait patiently, even when the wait seems interminable.

"Accepter de" + infinitive. "Même lorsque" (even when).

7

La véritable force réside dans la capacité à patienter sans perdre espoir.

True strength lies in the ability to wait patiently without losing hope.

"Résider dans" (to lie in). "Capacité à" + infinitive. "Sans perdre" (without losing).

8

Les négociations ont été longues, obligeant les parties à patienter avant de parvenir à un accord.

The negotiations were long, forcing the parties to wait patiently before reaching an agreement.

"Obligeant" (present participle acting as an adverbial clause). "Parvenir à" (to reach/achieve).

1

Dans l'adversité, la vertu cardinale n'est pas seulement de supporter, mais de patienter avec une résilience inébranlable.

In adversity, the cardinal virtue is not just to endure, but to wait patiently with unshakeable resilience.

Complex sentence structure with contrasting elements. "Virtu cardinale" (cardinal virtue). "Résilience inébranlable" (unshakeable resilience).

2

L'évolution sociétale exige souvent une intermittence dans l'action, une pause pour patienter et réévaluer.

Societal evolution often requires an intermittency in action, a pause to wait patiently and re-evaluate.

"Intermittence dans l'action" (intermittency in action). "Pour patienter et réévaluer" (infinitive clauses of purpose).

3

Il convient de ne pas confondre la passivité avec la nécessité stratégique de patienter.

One should not confuse passivity with the strategic necessity to wait patiently.

"Il convient de ne pas" (one should not). "Nécessité stratégique" (strategic necessity).

4

La gestation d'une idée novatrice suppose une phase prolongée où l'on doit patiemment patienter.

The gestation of an innovative idea supposes a prolonged phase where one must patiently wait patiently.

"Gestation d'une idée" (gestation of an idea). "Suppose" (supposes/implies). "Où" (where/in which).

5

Les cycles économiques nous enseignent l'importance de patienter durant les périodes de récession.

Economic cycles teach us the importance of waiting patiently during periods of recession.

"Enseigner l'importance de" + infinitive. "Durant" (during).

6

Le développement durable est intrinsèquement lié à la capacité de nos sociétés à patienter pour des bénéfices futurs.

Sustainable development is intrinsically linked to the ability of our societies to wait patiently for future benefits.

"Intrinsèquement lié à" (intrinsically linked to). "Capacité à" + infinitive.

7

Face à la complexité des enjeux géopolitiques, la diplomatie commande de patienter et d'observer avant d'agir.

Faced with the complexity of geopolitical issues, diplomacy dictates waiting patiently and observing before acting.

"Face à" (faced with). "Commande de" (dictates/orders). "Avant d'agir" (before acting).

8

La maturation d'un vin de garde impose un long processus où le vigneron doit patiemment patienter.

The maturation of a vintage wine imposes a long process where the winemaker must patiently wait patiently.

"Vin de garde" (vintage wine). "Impose un long processus" (imposes a long process). "Où" (where/in which).

Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!