Level B1 (Intermediate)
The French verb supporter can be a bit tricky, as it has two common meanings often confused with its English counterparts. This lesson explains when it means “to support” and, more frequently when it means “to tolerate”. You’ll learn its:
Meaning
Pronunciation
Example sentences
Present tense conjugation
Word origin
Meaning
The French verb supporter has two primary meanings: to support (bearing weight or providing assistance), and more commonly, to tolerate or to put up with.
Pronunciation
Example sentences
This first sentence uses the negation ne…plus, which means no longer or anymore. The expression en avoir marre means “to have had it”.
Je ne supporte plus ses plaintes. J’en ai marre !
I can’t stand her complaints anymore. I’ve had it!
This second sentence uses supporter in the literal sense: to hold up.
Les poutres en bois supportent le toit de la maison.
The wooden beams support the roof of the house.
In French a synonymous verb for supporter is tolérer (to tolerate, put up with). J’en ai assez (I’ve had enough) is gentler way of saying j’en ai marre.
Comment peut-tu tolérer la musique de ces voisins ? J’en ai assez !
How can you stand the neighbor’s music? I’ve had enough!
Present tense conjugation
Supporter is a regular ER verb. This means that it’s endings are the same as parler (to speak) when conjugated in the present tense.
Je supporte I support
Tu supportes You support (singular, informal)
Il, elle supporte He, she supports
Nous supportons We support
Vous supportez You support (plural, formal)
Ils, elles supportent They support
Word origin
Supporter comes from supportare (to carry up, to transport) in Latin.
Related lessons
References
