Level B1 (Intermediate)
The French word of the day is the versatile verb constater (B1), which has several meanings including ‘to observe’, ‘to note’, ‘to notice/see’, ‘to record’ and ‘to ascertain’.
constater – IPA pronunciation /kɔ̃.sta.te/
Word origin
The Modern French verb constater comes from constare (to be certain, apparent, to stand firm).
Constater example sentences
Le professeur a constaté des changements de comportement de l’enfant.
The teacher observed/noticed changes in the child’s behavior.
Note that of the example sentences are in the passé composé, a commonly used French past tense.
Les chercheurs ont constaté que le glacier est en train de fondre rapidement.
The researches noted that the glacier is melting quickly.
L’économiste a constaté l’inflation augmenter rapidement.
The economist observed inflation increasing rapidly.
Constater present tense conjugaiton
Je constate I note (or observe, ascertain etc.)
Tu constates You note (singular, informal)
Il, elle constate He, she notes
Nous constatons We note
Vous constatez You note (plural, formal)
Ils, elles constatent They note
Related vocabulary
- Le constat observation, finding
- La constatation act of observing and finding
- Observable verifiable or noticeable
- Remarquer to notice (used for more casual observations)
- Observer to observe, to watch
- Discerner to discern, to distinguish
- Établir To establish or to determine
- Relever to note or to record
References
