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A2 verb #9,000 mais comum 12 min de leitura

dégraisser

Top 9,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas dégraisser em 30 segundos

Explicação dégraisser in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'dégraisser' might seem a bit specific, but it is very useful if you are learning about food and cooking. Think of it as a combination of 'dé-' (which means to take away) and 'graisse' (which means fat). So, 'dégraisser' simply means 'to take away the fat.' You might use this word when you are talking about cooking a simple meal. For example, if you cook bacon or chicken, you might want to remove the extra oil from the pan. In French, you would say 'Je dégraisse la poêle.' This level focuses on the literal, physical action. It is a regular verb ending in '-er,' which is the first type of verb you learn in French. This means it follows easy rules like 'je dégraisse,' 'tu dégraisses,' 'il dégraisse.' You don't need to worry about the complicated business meanings yet. Just remember it for the kitchen. If you see a recipe that says 'dégraissez la viande,' it just means 'remove the fat from the meat.' It is a helpful word to know if you want to follow basic French recipes or talk about healthy eating. Even at A1, knowing specific verbs like this makes your French sound more natural than just saying 'enlever le gras' (take off the fat). It shows you are learning the proper vocabulary for everyday tasks. Try to use it next time you are describing how you prepare a soup or a roast.

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At the A2 level, you can start to use 'dégraisser' in more varied sentences. You are likely learning about different industries or daily chores, and this word fits perfectly into those topics. Beyond just cooking, you can use 'dégraisser' when talking about cleaning things around the house or maintaining a bike or a car. For example, if your bicycle chain is very dirty and oily, you need to 'dégraisser la chaîne' before putting on new oil. This is a very practical use of the word. You should also be comfortable using it in different tenses, like the passé composé: 'J'ai dégraissé le bouillon hier soir.' Remember that it uses the auxiliary 'avoir.' You might also encounter the noun form 'le dégraissage.' If you go to a 'pressing' (dry cleaner), you might see 'dégraissage' on the list of services for cleaning delicate clothes like suits or silk dresses. At this level, you should also be aware that French people value healthy, high-quality food, so 'dégraisser' is a positive action in a culinary context—it means making the food better. You are moving from just knowing what the word means to knowing when it is appropriate to use it in daily life. It is still a very concrete word for you at this stage, describing physical actions you can see and do.

As a B1 learner, you are expected to understand more abstract and metaphorical uses of language. This is where 'dégraisser' becomes very interesting. While you still use it for cooking and cleaning, you will now start to hear it in news reports about the economy or business. Journalists often use 'dégraisser' to talk about a company reducing its workforce or cutting costs. For example, 'L'entreprise doit dégraisser ses effectifs' (The company must downsize its workforce). At B1, you should understand that this usage is a metaphor: the 'fat' represents the extra employees or expenses that the company thinks it doesn't need. You should also be able to use the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive or the conditional. For instance, 'Il faudrait que le chef dégraisse davantage la sauce' (The chef should degrease the sauce more). You are also starting to see the nuances between 'dégraisser' and similar words like 'écrémer' or 'épurer.' You understand that 'dégraisser' is specifically about fat, while 'écrémer' is about cream or selecting the best. This level of precision is key for B1. You might also encounter the word in health and fitness contexts, where it can mean reducing body fat through exercise and diet. However, you should be careful with the social tone; using it to describe a person can be seen as quite blunt or even rude, so you learn to use it mainly for objects, liquids, or in specific professional contexts.

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At the B2 level, you should have a full grasp of the different registers in which 'dégraisser' can be used. You understand that in a professional kitchen, it is a technical term of high importance, while in a corporate boardroom, it is a cold, often controversial term for layoffs. You can participate in discussions about the economy and use this word appropriately to describe restructuring. You are also aware of the social implications of the word. For example, you know that a politician using the word 'dégraisser' when talking about the public sector (la fonction publique) will likely cause a strong reaction from labor unions. You can analyze the 'weight' of the word—how it characterizes employees as 'fat' to be removed. In terms of grammar, you are comfortable using 'dégraisser' in all tenses and moods, including the gérondif ('En dégraissant la viande, on réduit les calories') or the passive voice ('Le moteur a été dégraissé par le mécanicien'). You also recognize the word in more specialized contexts, such as the textile industry or advanced mechanical engineering. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you can choose 'dégraisser' over a simpler word like 'nettoyer' because you want to be specific about the type of cleaning being done. You are also able to explain the etymology of the word to others, linking it to 'gras' and explaining how the prefix 'dé-' functions in French to create verbs of removal.

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For a C1 learner, 'dégraisser' is a word you use with stylistic intent. You understand its power as a metaphor and can use it in persuasive writing or formal debates. You might use it to critique a government's fiscal policy or a company's management style. You are sensitive to the connotations of the word; you know that using 'dégraisser' can sound technocratic and detached, which might be exactly the tone you want to achieve in a business report, or exactly what you want to criticize in an editorial. You are also familiar with the more obscure technical meanings, such as its use in the tanning of leather or the preparation of surfaces for high-tech coatings. You can discuss the nuances between 'dégraissage' and 'décaper' in a technical manual with ease. Furthermore, you are aware of the word's appearance in literature or higher-level journalism, where it might be used to describe 'thinning out' a piece of writing—removing unnecessary adjectives or redundant passages to make the prose leaner and more impactful. Your mastery of the word includes knowing its collocations perfectly—which adjectives and adverbs typically go with it, such as 'dégraisser massivement' or 'dégraisser soigneusement.' You can switch between the literal and figurative meanings seamlessly, often using the literal meaning to add color to a figurative discussion, a hallmark of advanced linguistic competence.

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At the C2 level, your understanding of 'dégraisser' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You are aware of the historical evolution of the word and its place within the broader family of French verbs derived from 'crassus.' You can appreciate and use the word in puns or wordplay, perhaps in a satirical piece where you compare a chef's kitchen to a CEO's office. You have a deep understanding of the sociolinguistic impact of the word in French history, particularly how it has been used in political slogans or during major industrial strikes. You can use the word in extremely formal academic contexts, perhaps in a thesis on industrial processes or economic history, as well as in the most informal or specialized slang of a professional kitchen. You understand the rhythm and prosody of the word within a sentence, allowing you to use it with maximum rhetorical effect. There are no nuances of 'dégraisser' that escape you, whether it's the specific chemical process involved in 'dégraissage à la vapeur' or the subtle difference in meaning when used in the passive versus the active voice in a legal contract. You are a master of the word's full semantic field, and you can use it to express complex ideas about efficiency, purity, and reduction across any domain of human activity.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

dégraisser em 30 segundos

Dégraisser is a common French verb meaning 'to remove fat' or 'to degrease,' used in cooking, mechanics, and business restructuring.
In the kitchen, it refers to skimming fat off sauces or trimming it from meat to improve flavor and healthiness.
Technically, it means cleaning oil from metal parts; figuratively, it means downsizing a company's workforce to increase profit.
It is a regular '-er' verb, making it easy to conjugate, but it carries strong social connotations when used in economics.

The French verb dégraisser is a multifaceted term that primarily originates from the culinary world but has extended its reach into industrial cleaning and corporate management. At its most basic level, it means to remove fat. In a kitchen setting, this is a fundamental technique used to ensure that sauces, broths, and meats are palatable and healthy. When a chef tells a commis to dégraisser le jus de viande, they are asking them to skim off the liquid fat that rises to the top of a roasting pan or a stockpot. This literal meaning is the foundation upon which all other uses are built.

Culinary Context: In professional French gastronomy, dégraisser refers to the precise action of removing the 'gras' (fat) from a preparation. This can be done while the liquid is hot, using a ladle or a spoon, or after it has cooled, allowing the fat to solidify on the surface for easy removal. It is a mark of quality; a greasy sauce is often seen as a failure of technique.

Avant de servir le bouillon de bœuf, il est essentiel de le dégraisser soigneusement pour en exalter les saveurs.

Beyond the kitchen, the word takes on a more industrial or technical tone. In mechanics or manufacturing, dégraisser une pièce means to clean a part by removing oil, grease, or lubricants. This is often a prerequisite for painting, welding, or assembling machinery. Here, the focus is on chemical cleanliness rather than appetite. The term is also used in the textile industry to describe the process of cleaning raw wool or fabrics to remove natural oils or processing residues.

Business Metaphor: Perhaps the most controversial use of the word is in the corporate world. To dégraisser une entreprise or dégraisser les effectifs is a metaphorical way of saying 'to downsize' or 'to trim the fat.' It implies that the company has become bloated with unnecessary personnel or expenses and needs to become leaner and more efficient. While common in economic journalism, it is often viewed as a cold or harsh term by those affected.

In everyday life, you might also hear it in the context of dry cleaning. A dégraissage à sec is another way to refer to dry cleaning, focusing on the removal of stains and oils from delicate fabrics that cannot be washed with water. Whether you are talking about a duck confit, a car engine, or a multinational corporation, dégraisser always involves the removal of something perceived as excess or unwanted to improve the quality or efficiency of the subject.

Le mécanicien doit dégraisser les freins avant d'installer les nouvelles plaquettes.

La nouvelle direction a décidé de dégraisser les services administratifs pour réduire les coûts.

Grammar Note: It is a regular '-er' verb, meaning it follows the standard conjugation patterns of the first group. This makes it relatively easy for English speakers to master once they understand the context.

N'oubliez pas de dégraisser la poêle après avoir cuit le bacon.

Il est possible de dégraisser un vêtement en soie avec des produits spécifiques.

Using dégraisser correctly requires an understanding of its direct object. In almost all cases, this verb is transitive, meaning it acts directly upon a noun. Whether you are removing fat from a liquid, a piece of meat, or a mechanical part, the sentence structure remains consistent. The most common structure is: [Subject] + [Conjugated Verb] + [Direct Object].

Culinary Usage: When cooking, you often 'dégraisser' a sauce or a pan. For example: 'Je dégraisse la sauce avec une cuillère.' (I am degreasing the sauce with a spoon). Note that the tool used often follows the preposition 'avec'.

Après avoir rôti le poulet, le cuisinier doit dégraisser le plat avant de déglacer.

In the imperative mood, which is frequent in recipes, you will see it as: 'Dégraissez le bouillon.' (Degrease the broth). If you are using it in the past tense (passé composé), you use the auxiliary 'avoir': 'J'ai dégraissé le gigot d'agneau.' (I trimmed the fat off the leg of lamb). The focus here is on the action being completed.

Technical/Industrial Usage: In technical manuals, the verb often appearing in the infinitive as an instruction. 'Il faut dégraisser la surface avant l'application de la peinture.' (The surface must be degreased before applying paint). This emphasizes the necessity of the step.

Le technicien a utilisé un solvant puissant pour dégraisser les engrenages de la machine.

Another interesting usage is in the pronominal form, though rare: 'se dégraisser'. This might be used colloquially to mean someone is trying to lose weight or 'lean out,' though 's'amincir' or 'perdre du poids' are much more common. However, in a mechanical sense, a part might 'se dégraisser' if a solvent is applied to it automatically. Generally, stick to the active form for clarity.

Si tu veux réussir ton canard à l'orange, tu dois absolument dégraisser la peau pendant la cuisson.

Negation and Questions: To negate the action: 'Je ne dégraisse pas la viande car j'aime le goût.' (I don't trim the fat because I like the taste). To ask a question: 'Est-ce que tu as dégraissé la soupe ?' (Did you degrease the soup?).

Pourquoi le chef nous demande-t-il de dégraisser le bouillon à trois reprises ?

Il est difficile de dégraisser un moteur sans démonter certaines pièces.

If you spend any time watching French television, particularly cooking competitions like Top Chef or Le Meilleur Pâtissier, you will hear dégraisser constantly. It is a fundamental technique that judges watch for. A chef might bark an order: 'Dégraisse-moi ça vite !' (Degrease that for me, fast!). In this high-pressure environment, the word is synonymous with precision and professional standards.

In the Kitchen: You will also find it in every French cookbook, from the classic Escoffier to modern healthy-eating blogs. It often appears in the 'préparation' section of recipes for stews like boeuf bourguignon or pot-au-feu. Home cooks use it when discussing how to make a lighter version of a traditional dish.

À la télévision, le chef a expliqué comment dégraisser un bouillon en utilisant des glaçons.

The word shifts dramatically when you turn on the news or read the financial section of Le Monde or Les Échos. Here, dégraisser is part of the jargon used to describe economic restructuring. When a company announces a 'plan social' (redundancy plan), journalists often use the term dégraissage (the noun form) or the verb to describe the cutting of jobs. It carries a heavy political and social weight in France, where labor rights are a major topic of public discourse.

The Garage and the Workshop: If you take your car to a French mechanic, or if you are a DIY enthusiast browsing a 'bricolage' (hardware) store, you will see products labeled 'Dégraissant' (Degreaser). You might hear a mechanic say, 'Je dois dégraisser le châssis' (I need to degrease the chassis). In this context, it is purely functional and non-controversial.

Le ministre de l'Économie a nié vouloir dégraisser la fonction publique.

Finally, in sports, particularly cycling or bodybuilding, you might hear athletes talk about dégraisser their bodies. This refers to a period of intense training and dieting to reduce body fat percentage before a competition. It is similar to the English 'cutting' phase. While 'sécher' is more common in modern gym slang, dégraisser is still used by the older generation or in more formal sports science contexts.

Pour ce pressing, le dégraisser une veste en daim demande un savoir-faire particulier.

Il est temps de dégraisser la chaîne de ton vélo si tu veux de meilleures performances.

Social Media & Blogs: On Pinterest or Instagram, French-speaking lifestyle influencers use the word when sharing 'astuces de grand-mère' (grandmother's tips) for cleaning household items like oven hoods or stovetops.

Ma grand-mère utilisait du vinaigre blanc pour dégraisser les vitres de la cuisine.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with dégraisser is confusing it with other verbs related to fat or weight. Because the English word 'fat' can be translated as 'gras' (noun) or 'gros' (adjective), learners sometimes invent verbs like 'dégrasser' or 'dégrossir' in the wrong context. While 'dégrossir' is a real word, it means to 'rough out' or 'simplify' a task, not to remove fat from food.

Confusion with 'Engraisser': Don't confuse dégraisser with its opposite, engraisser. While dégraisser means to remove fat, engraisser means to fatten up (like an animal for slaughter) or to fertilize soil. Using the wrong prefix can lead to some very confusing culinary instructions!

Faux ami : Ne dites pas 'Je vais dégraisser ce cochon' si vous voulez dire que vous allez le nourrir pour qu'il grossisse.

Another mistake involves the preposition. English speakers often want to say 'degrease *from* something' (dégraisser de...). In French, you simply dégraisser the object itself. You dégraissez le bouillon, you don't dégraissez le gras du bouillon (which would be redundant, as you are removing the fat *of* the fat). If you want to specify what you are removing, use 'enlever': 'J'enlève le gras du bouillon.'

Literal vs. Figurative Overuse: Using dégraisser to mean 'losing weight' in a polite social conversation is a mistake. It sounds clinical or even insulting, as it treats the person like a piece of meat or a machine. Use 'maigrir' or 'perdre du poids' instead.

Attention : Dire 'Tu as besoin de te dégraisser' à un ami est très impoli et choquant.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse dégraisser with écrémer. While both involve removing a top layer from a liquid, écrémer specifically means to skim the cream off milk. Figuratively, écrémer means to take the best of something (like 'skimming the cream off the crop'), whereas dégraisser figuratively means to remove the excess or the bad.

On dégraisse une soupe, mais on écrème le lait frais de la ferme.

Conjugation Pitfalls: Because it's a first-group verb, it's easy, but don't forget the 'i' in the 'nous' and 'vous' forms of the imparfait: nous dégraissions. Forgetting this is a common mistake for intermediate learners.

Hier, nous dégraissions des centaines de pièces industrielles par heure.

If you want to vary your vocabulary or find a word that fits a specific nuance better than dégraisser, there are several options depending on the context. The French language is rich in culinary and technical verbs that offer more precision.

Écrémer vs. Dégraisser: As mentioned, écrémer is specifically for milk/cream. Figuratively, it means to select only the best elements. Use écrémer if you are talking about selecting top candidates for a job, but use dégraisser if you are talking about firing people to save money.

L'agence a décidé d' écrémer les candidatures pour ne garder que les profils internationaux.

In a culinary context, another alternative is épurer (to purify/refine). This is used when you want to make a liquid perfectly clear and free of all impurities, not just fat. For example, épurer un consommé implies a higher level of refinement than just degreasing it.

Nettoyer and Décaper: In industrial contexts, nettoyer is the general term for 'to clean.' Décaper is stronger, meaning to strip or scrub off a layer (like paint or heavy rust). Use dégraisser specifically when the 'dirt' is oily or greasy.

Après le ponçage, il faut décaper le vieux vernis avant de repeindre le meuble.

In the corporate world, if dégraisser sounds too harsh, executives often use euphemisms like restructurer (to restructure), optimiser les ressources (to optimize resources), or réduire la voilure (to reduce the sail/downsize). These terms are less graphic than 'degreasing' the workforce.

Le groupe automobile va restructurer ses usines européennes l'année prochaine.

Summary of Alternatives: Culinary: Écrémer, Épurer, Alléger. Technical: Nettoyer, Décaper, Lessiver. Business: Restructurer, Compacter, Licencier.

Il est préférable d' alléger cette crème avec un peu de yaourt nature.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The figurative use of 'dégraisser' to mean downsizing a company is a relatively modern invention, gaining popularity in the late 20th century as neoliberal economic policies became more common. Before that, it was almost exclusively used by cooks and mechanics. The famous phrase 'dégraisser le mammouth' was coined by French Minister Claude Allègre in 1997, referring to the Ministry of National Education.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /de.ɡʁɛ.se/

US /de.ɡʁe.se/

The stress in French is always on the last syllable: dé-grais-SER.

Rima com

passer manger laisser presser caresser redresser blesser cesser

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the final 'r' (it is silent).
Mixing up the 'é' and 'ai' sounds (though they are very similar in modern French).
Using an English 'r' instead of the French uvular 'r'.
Forgetting the accent on the 'é'.
Applying English stress patterns to the first syllable.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the 'de-grease' similarity and regular ending.

Escrita 3/5

Requires remembering the 'é' accent and proper conjugation in different tenses.

Expressão oral 3/5

The French 'r' and the 'ai' sound can be tricky for beginners to perfect.

Audição 2/5

Usually clear in context, especially in cooking or news segments.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

Gras Graisse Enlever Viande Bouillon

Aprenda a seguir

Écrémer Alléger Assaisonner Déglacer Restructurer

Avançado

Galvanoplastie Solvant Liposuction (liposuccion) Attrition Rentabilité

Gramática essencial

First Group Verbs (-er)

Je dégraisse, tu dégraisses, il dégraisse.

The Prefix 'Dé-' for Removal

Dégraisser (remove fat), Décharger (remove load), Déplier (remove fold).

Transitive Direct Verbs

Dégraisser [quelque chose]. No preposition needed before the object.

Passé Composé with Avoir

J'ai dégraissé la sauce ce matin.

The Causative Construction (Faire + Infinitive)

Je fais dégraisser mon costume au pressing.

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Exemplos por nível

Je dégraisse le poulet.

I am removing the fat from the chicken.

Present tense, first person singular of an -er verb.

Tu dégraisses la soupe ?

Are you degreasing the soup?

Question using the second person singular.

Il dégraisse la poêle avec du papier.

He is degreasing the pan with paper.

Third person singular with a prepositional phrase.

Nous dégraissons le bouillon.

We are degreasing the broth.

First person plural present tense.

Vous dégraissez la viande.

You are degreasing the meat.

Second person plural (formal or group).

Elles dégraissent le plat.

They are degreasing the dish.

Third person plural feminine.

Dégraisse la sauce, s'il te plaît.

Degrease the sauce, please.

Imperative mood (informal).

Il ne faut pas dégraisser le canard.

You must not degrease the duck.

Infinitive after 'il faut'.

J'ai dégraissé le moteur de ma voiture.

I degreased my car's engine.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

On peut dégraisser les vitres avec du vinaigre.

We can degrease the windows with vinegar.

Use of 'on' meaning 'we' or 'one'.

Le mécanicien dégraisse les pièces métalliques.

The mechanic is degreasing the metal parts.

Third person singular with a specific subject.

Il est important de dégraisser avant de peindre.

It is important to degrease before painting.

Infinitive phrase following 'Il est important de'.

Est-ce que tu vas dégraisser ce vêtement ?

Are you going to degrease this garment?

Near future (futur proche) with 'aller'.

Nous avons dégraissé la cuisine toute la journée.

We degreased the kitchen all day.

Passé composé indicating a completed duration.

Dégraissez bien les mains après le travail.

Degrease your hands well after work.

Imperative plural with an adverb.

Elle dégraissait le bouillon quand je suis arrivé.

She was degreasing the broth when I arrived.

Imparfait used for an ongoing action.

Le gouvernement veut dégraisser l'administration publique.

The government wants to downsize the public administration.

Figurative use in a political context.

Si l'entreprise ne dégraisse pas, elle fera faillite.

If the company doesn't downsize, it will go bankrupt.

Conditional 'si' clause (first conditional).

Il a dégraissé ses effectifs de moitié.

He cut his workforce by half.

Metaphorical use for personnel.

Je te conseille de dégraisser le canard avant la cuisson.

I advise you to trim the fat from the duck before cooking.

Infinitive after 'conseiller de'.

Le sportif doit dégraisser pour être plus performant.

The athlete must lean out to be more efficient.

Figurative use in sports/fitness.

Bien dégraisser la surface est la clé d'un bon collage.

Degreasing the surface well is the key to good bonding.

Infinitive used as a subject.

Ils ont dégraissé le budget marketing cette année.

They trimmed the marketing budget this year.

Figurative use for financial resources.

On dégraissait les peaux de bêtes dans cette ancienne usine.

They used to degrease animal skins in this old factory.

Imparfait for historical habits.

La direction a décidé de dégraisser massivement les services.

Management decided to massively downsize the departments.

Use of the adverb 'massivement'.

Bien que nous ayons dégraissé le projet, il reste cher.

Although we have trimmed the project, it remains expensive.

Subjunctive past after 'bien que'.

Le dégraissage des effectifs a provoqué une grève générale.

The downsizing of the workforce caused a general strike.

Noun form 'dégraissage' as the subject.

Il faut dégraisser le cuir avant d'appliquer la teinture.

The leather must be degreased before applying the dye.

Technical instruction in the infinitive.

Le bouillon refroidi est plus facile à dégraisser.

Cooled broth is easier to degrease.

Adjective 'facile à' followed by infinitive.

L'entraîneur demande aux joueurs de se dégraisser avant l'été.

The coach asks the players to lean out before the summer.

Pronominal form 'se dégraisser' (colloquial/sports).

En dégraissant la machine régulièrement, on évite les pannes.

By degreasing the machine regularly, we avoid breakdowns.

Gérondif expressing means or condition.

Le pressing a réussi à dégraisser ma cravate en soie.

The dry cleaner managed to remove the grease from my silk tie.

Verb phrase 'réussir à' + infinitive.

L'austérité impose de dégraisser les structures de l'État.

Austerity requires downsizing the state structures.

Formal political/economic register.

Il convient de dégraisser le récit pour lui donner du souffle.

The narrative should be trimmed to give it more life.

Metaphorical use in literary criticism.

Le chimiste utilise un solvant pour dégraisser les éprouvettes.

The chemist uses a solvent to degrease the test tubes.

Precise scientific context.

L'entreprise a procédé à un dégraissage par le vide.

The company carried out a downsizing through attrition.

Advanced business idiom 'dégraissage par le vide'.

Une fois dégraissée, la pièce peut subir un traitement thermique.

Once degreased, the part can undergo heat treatment.

Past participle used as an adjective/condition.

Le chef insiste pour dégraisser le jus à la nappe.

The chef insists on degreasing the juices using the cloth method.

Specific professional culinary jargon.

Il est impératif que nous dégraissions nos coûts opérationnels.

It is imperative that we trim our operational costs.

Subjunctive present, first person plural.

Le dégraissage industriel requiert des normes de sécurité strictes.

Industrial degreasing requires strict safety standards.

Formal noun phrase.

La rhétorique politique actuelle tend à dégraisser le débat social.

Current political rhetoric tends to strip the social debate of its substance.

Highly abstract metaphorical use.

Dégraisser une œuvre de ses fioritures est le travail de l'éditeur.

Stripping a work of its flourishes is the editor's job.

Infinitive subject in a philosophical context.

Le processus de dégraissage est crucial dans la galvanoplastie.

The degreasing process is crucial in electroplating.

Technical/Scientific mastery.

On assiste à un dégraissage sans précédent du secteur bancaire.

We are witnessing an unprecedented downsizing of the banking sector.

Formal observation of economic trends.

Pour dégraisser le bouillon, il faut l'écumer avec une patience d'ange.

To degrease the broth, one must skim it with the patience of an angel.

Literary/Idiomatic expression 'patience d'ange'.

La pièce fut dégraissée avant d'être plongée dans l'acide.

The part was degreased before being plunged into acid.

Passé simple (literary/formal past) passive voice.

Le dégraissage des structures est souvent le prélude à la fusion.

The downsizing of structures is often the prelude to a merger.

Sophisticated business analysis.

Qu'il dégraisse ou non, le problème structurel demeure entier.

Whether he downsizes or not, the structural problem remains total.

Subjunctive of concession.

Colocações comuns

Dégraisser le bouillon

Dégraisser les effectifs

Dégraisser une pièce

Dégraisser la sauce

Dégraisser le moteur

Dégraisser à sec

Produit pour dégraisser

Dégraisser massivement

Dégraisser soigneusement

Dégraisser la chaîne

Frases Comuns

Faire dégraisser

— To have something degreased by someone else, usually at a professional cleaner.

Je vais faire dégraisser mon costume pour le mariage.

Dégraisser le mammouth

— A famous political metaphor in France meaning to reform and downsize the massive national education system.

Le ministre voulait dégraisser le mammouth, mais les syndicats ont protesté.

Dégraisser à la vapeur

— Using steam to remove grease, common in industrial cleaning.

Le dégraissage à la vapeur est très efficace pour les gros moteurs.

Dégraisser la bête

— Colloquial way to say trimming fat off a piece of meat.

Allez, aide-moi à dégraisser la bête avant de la mettre au four.

Dégraisser un effectif pléthorique

— To downsize a workforce that is considered way too large.

L'État cherche à dégraisser un effectif pléthorique dans certains ministères.

Dégraisser par le froid

— The culinary technique of chilling a liquid so the fat hardens and can be lifted off.

Dégraisser par le froid est la méthode la plus précise pour un consommé.

Dégraisser les coûts

— To cut unnecessary expenses in a budget.

Nous devons dégraisser les coûts de fonctionnement pour rester compétitifs.

Dégraisser une surface métallique

— Standard instruction for preparing metal for painting or treatment.

Dégraisser une surface métallique demande un solvant adapté.

Dégraisser le gras

— Technically redundant but used for emphasis in casual cooking talk.

Il faut bien dégraisser le gras de ce magret.

Dégraisser un vêtement

— To remove an oily stain from a piece of clothing.

Comment dégraisser un vêtement sans l'abîmer ?

Frequentemente confundido com

dégraisser vs Dégrossir

Means to 'rough out' or simplify a task, not to remove fat.

dégraisser vs Dégrasser

Not a standard French word; people often invent it by mistake.

dégraisser vs Écrémer

Specifically for skimming cream or selecting the best elements.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Dégraisser le mammouth"

— To reduce the size of the civil service (specifically Education). It implies the system is old, heavy, and inefficient.

Réformer l'Éducation nationale revient souvent à vouloir dégraisser le mammouth.

Political/Informal

"Dégraisser la carcasse"

— To lose weight or to make someone lose weight through harsh exercise or diet.

Après les fêtes, il est temps de dégraisser la carcasse !

Colloquial

"Dégraisser les effectifs"

— To reduce the number of employees in a company, often seen as a cold business move.

L'annonce de dégraisser les effectifs a semé la panique dans l'usine.

Professional

"Dégraisser le pâté"

— Rare slang for taking the best part of a deal or simplifying a complex situation.

On va dégraisser le pâté pour voir ce qui est vraiment important.

Slang

"Dégraisser la patte"

— A play on 'graisser la patte' (to bribe). It would mean to stop a corruption cycle, though very rare.

Il est temps de dégraisser la patte de ces fonctionnaires corrompus.

Informal/Creative

"Dégraisser le moteur"

— Sometimes used figuratively to mean getting back into shape or clearing one's mind.

Un peu de vacances va me permettre de dégraisser le moteur.

Informal

"Dégraisser le budget"

— To remove all non-essential spending from a financial plan.

Le maire a dû dégraisser le budget municipal suite à la baisse des aides.

Neutral

"Dégraisser le texte"

— To remove unnecessary words, adjectives, or subplots from a piece of writing.

Ton manuscrit est trop long, il faut dégraisser le texte.

Literary

"Dégraisser la structure"

— To simplify an organization by removing layers of management.

La fusion va permettre de dégraisser la structure administrative.

Professional

"Dégraisser le gras du ventre"

— A very literal and blunt way to talk about losing abdominal fat.

Ce nouvel exercice aide à dégraisser le gras du ventre.

Informal/Clinical

Fácil de confundir

dégraisser vs Engraisser

Opposite prefix 'en-' vs 'dé-'.

Engraisser means to make fat or fertilize; dégraisser means to remove fat.

On engraisse l'oie pour le foie gras, puis on dégraisse le plat pendant la cuisson.

dégraisser vs Graisser

Root word similarity.

Graisser is to add oil/grease; dégraisser is to take it away.

Il faut graisser le moule à gâteau, mais dégraisser le bouillon.

dégraisser vs Maigrir

Same goal (losing fat).

Maigrir is the natural process of a person losing weight; dégraisser is a deliberate action on an object or structure.

Je veux maigrir, donc je dégraisse mes repas.

dégraisser vs Écurer

Both involve cleaning pans.

Écurer is to scrub hard to remove burnt bits; dégraisser is just to remove the oil.

Après avoir dégraissé la poêle, j'ai dû l'écurer pour enlever le brûlé.

dégraisser vs Nettoyer

Dégraisser is a type of cleaning.

Nettoyer is general; dégraisser is specific to oil/fat.

Je nettoie la table, mais je dégraisse la hotte de la cuisine.

Padrões de frases

Je dégraisse + [food item].

Je dégraisse le jambon.

Il faut dégraisser + [noun] + avant de + [infinitive].

Il faut dégraisser la poêle avant de faire la sauce.

L'entreprise a décidé de dégraisser + [business noun].

L'entreprise a décidé de dégraisser ses services.

Si tu [present verb], tu pourras dégraisser + [noun].

Si tu attends, tu pourras dégraisser le bouillon plus facilement.

En dégraissant + [noun], on obtient + [result].

En dégraissant le moteur, on obtient une meilleure visibilité.

Le [noun] est facile/difficile à dégraisser.

Le canard est assez difficile à dégraisser.

Il est impératif que l'on dégraisse + [abstract noun].

Il est impératif que l'on dégraisse nos dépenses publiques.

Dégraisser [noun] revient à [infinitive phrase].

Dégraisser ce texte revient à en sacrifier la poésie.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Dégraissage (the act of degreasing)

Dégraissant (a degreaser product)

Graisse (fat/grease)

Graissage (the act of greasing/lubricating)

Verbos

Graisser (to grease)

Engraisser (to fatten up)

Regraisser (to grease again)

Adjetivos

Dégraissé (degreased/low-fat)

Gras (fatty)

Graisseux (greasy)

Relacionado

Écrémer

Nettoyer

Décaper

Alléger

Restructurer

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Como usar

frequency

High in specific domains (cooking, business news, mechanics).

Erros comuns

Using 'dégraisser de' instead of just 'dégraisser'. → Je dégraisse le bouillon.
In French, the verb is directly followed by the object. You don't need 'of' or 'from'.
Confusing 'dégraisser' with 'dégrossir'. → Je dégraisse la viande.
Dégrossir means to do the preliminary work on something, while dégraisser is specifically about fat.
Pronouncing the final 'r'. → Dégraissé (sounds like day-greh-say).
The 'er' ending in French verbs is always pronounced like 'é'.
Using it for weight loss in a polite way. → Je veux maigrir.
Dégraisser is too clinical/harsh for people. Use it for food, machines, or companies.
Forgetting the double 'ss'. → Dégraisser.
If you write 'dégraiser', it would be pronounced with a 'z' sound, which is incorrect.

Dicas

Conjugation Trick

Since it ends in -er, just remember the 'silent' endings for je, tu, il, and ils. Only the 'nous' and 'vous' forms have sounds at the end in the present tense.

Skimming Technique

When a recipe says 'dégraisser à la louche,' it means to use a ladle. Tilt the ladle slightly so only the top oily layer flows into it.

Product Names

When shopping in France for cleaning supplies, look for the word 'Dégraissant' on the bottle for kitchen or garage cleaners.

Polite Alternatives

If you are in a sensitive business meeting, use 'optimiser les coûts' or 'restructurer' instead of 'dégraisser' to avoid sounding too aggressive.

The Silent R

Never pronounce the 'r' at the end of the infinitive 'dégraisser'. It should sound exactly like the past participle 'dégraissé'.

The 'DE-GRASS' association

Think of 'de-greasing' a pan. The 'graiss' part sounds like 'grease' if you imagine the 'ai' as an 'ee' sound (though it's actually an 'eh' sound).

Accents Matter

The 'é' in dégraisser is essential. It comes from the prefix 'dé-'. Without it, the word looks strange and is technically misspelled.

Dry Cleaning

If you have a suit that needs cleaning, look for a sign that says 'Dégraissage' or 'Pressing'. They mean the same thing in a commercial context.

Healthy Living

Use 'dégraissé' as an adjective to describe low-fat products, like 'bouillon dégraissé' or 'jambon dégraissé' (fat-trimmed ham).

Lean Writing

In literary circles, 'dégraisser un texte' is a compliment. it means making the writing more powerful by removing fluff.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'DE-GREASE-ER'. The 'dé' is 'de-', 'graiss' is 'grease', and '-er' is the verb ending. If you want to DE-GREASE your soup, you DÉGRAISSER it.

Associação visual

Imagine a chef with a large silver spoon carefully lifting a yellow layer of oil off a bubbling red tomato sauce. This visual of 'skimming' is the heart of the word.

Word Web

Cuisine Graisse Santé Moteur Économie Nettoyage Régime Efficacité

Desafio

Try to find three items in your kitchen that might need 'dégraissage' (like a pan, a hood, or a leftover soup) and say out loud in French what you are going to do using the verb 'dégraisser'.

Origem da palavra

The word 'dégraisser' is formed from the prefix 'dé-' (expressing removal or reversal) and the noun 'graisse' (fat). The noun 'graisse' comes from the Vulgar Latin 'crassia,' which is derived from the Classical Latin 'crassus,' meaning thick, fat, or gross. It appeared in the French language in the 12th century as a simple culinary term.

Significado original: To remove the fatty parts of meat or the oily film from a liquid.

Romance (Latin-based).

Contexto cultural

Avoid using 'dégraisser' when talking about people's bodies in a social setting; it is considered dehumanizing and offensive.

English speakers often use 'trim' or 'skim' for cooking, and 'downsize' for business. 'Degrease' is mostly used for engines in English, making the French 'dégraisser' much more versatile.

Claude Allègre's 'Dégraisser le mammouth' (1997 speech). Top Chef France (frequent usage by chefs like Philippe Etchebest). The movie 'Rien à déclarer' where mechanical degreasing is mentioned.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Cooking a Stew

Dégraisser le jus
Enlever l'écume
Laisser refroidir pour dégraisser
Utiliser une cuillère à dégraisser

Repairing a Bike

Dégraisser la chaîne
Appliquer un dégraissant
Nettoyer les pignons
Enlever le vieux cambouis

Business Meeting

Dégraisser les coûts
Réduire les effectifs
Plan de dégraissage
Optimiser la structure

At the Dry Cleaners

Dégraissage à sec
Enlever une tache de gras
Nettoyage professionnel
Soin des tissus délicats

Fitness and Diet

Période de dégraissage
Brûler les graisses
Alimentation dégraissée
Perdre de la masse grasse

Iniciadores de conversa

"Comment est-ce que tu fais pour dégraisser ton bouillon de poule ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses que cette entreprise doit encore dégraisser ses effectifs ?"

"Quel est le meilleur produit pour dégraisser une chaîne de vélo ?"

"Tu préfères dégraisser la viande avant ou après la cuisson ?"

"Est-ce que tu as déjà fait un dégraissage à sec pour ton manteau d'hiver ?"

Temas para diário

Décrivez une recette de cuisine où il est essentiel de dégraisser la préparation pour réussir le plat.

Que pensez-vous de l'expression 'dégraisser le mammouth' appliquée à l'éducation nationale ?

Racontez une expérience où vous avez dû dégraisser un objet mécanique (vélo, voiture, outil).

Si vous étiez chef d'entreprise, dans quelles conditions accepteriez-vous de dégraisser votre personnel ?

Le 'dégraissage' de notre mode de vie (réduire la consommation) est-il nécessaire pour l'écologie ?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Technically yes, but it sounds very clinical or like sports slang. It is better to say 'Je fais un régime' or 'Je veux perdre du poids.' Using 'dégraisser' for a person can sound like you are treating them like a piece of meat.

No, 'dégraissage' is the noun for any act of degreasing. You can talk about the 'dégraissage d'un moteur' or the 'dégraissage des effectifs' in a company. However, in a city, you will mostly see it on dry cleaning signs.

The most professional way is to let it cool in the fridge; the fat hardens on top and you can just lift it off. In a hurry, you can use a ladle to skim the surface or even dip a cold ice cube wrapped in paper towel into the liquid to attract the fat.

Yes, it is often perceived as quite harsh. It implies that the employees being laid off were 'fat' or 'excess,' which can be seen as dehumanizing. Unions often criticize the use of this word by management or politicians.

Yes, it is a perfectly regular '-er' verb of the first group. It follows the same patterns as 'chanter' or 'parler,' which makes its conjugation very predictable for learners.

It was a controversial phrase used by a French minister to describe the need to reform the massive and bureaucratic National Education system. It now generally refers to any attempt to downsize a huge, slow-moving organization.

You would typically say 'se laver les cheveux' or use a 'shampooing pour cheveux gras.' However, a stylist might talk about 'dégraisser le cuir chevelu' (degreasing the scalp) in a more technical sense.

Dégraisser is for fat (oil/lard), while écrémer is for cream (from milk). Figuratively, écrémer is selecting the best, while dégraisser is removing the excess.

Absolutely. It is the standard term for cleaning the old oil and dirt off a bicycle chain before applying new lubricant. You would use a 'produit dégraissant' for this.

No, because there is a double 'ss', it is pronounced like a sharp 's' (as in 'snake'). A single 's' between vowels would sound like 'z', but 'dégraisser' keeps the 's' sound.

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