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How To Use The Verb “Démarrer” In French

How To Use The Verb “Démarrer” In French

Today’s lesson focuses on the verb démarrer, meaning to start or to start up, specifically in the context of starting up motors or engines.

Démarrer

to start, to start up

Pronunciation [demaʀe]

Démarrer - French verb meaning to start, to start up (an engine or motor).

Démarrer – to start, to start up

Explanation

A related verb we’ve covered is se mettre à, which is used in the context of starting activities. Another verb, commencer (to start, to begin) would not be used in the context of starting up engines.

Example sentences

Heureusement ma voiture démarre toujours quand il fait froid en hiver.

Fortunately my car always starts when it’s cold out in the winter.

For this second sentence, pourrais-tu is the conditional tense of pouvoir (can, to able). Peux-tu means “can you” but pourrais-tu (could you) is a more formal way of making polite requests. This sentence uses the inversion form of asking questions.

Jean-Luc, pourrais-tu m’aider à démarrer la tondeuse ?

Jean-Luc, could you help me start the lawn mower?

Another usage of démarrer is “to get off to a + adjective + start”. La fac is a shortening of la faculté (college, university). This sentence is in the passé composé tense.

Anya a bien démarré à la fac cette année et ses parents sont fiers.

Anya got off to a good start in university this year and her parents are proud.

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Word of the Day archive | Lessons by David Issokson

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David Issokson
David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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