French Conversation · Level 192
15 words
French word
abstenir
Pronunciation
IPA/apstəniʁ/
Meaning
- verbrefrain
Example
Cette fois, je préfère m'abstenir.
This time, I prefer to refrain.
More examples
Il a décidé de s'abstenir de voter.
He decided to refrain from voting.
Core concept
A deliberate step back from an available action, often as an act of restraint or nonparticipation.
Common phrases
s'abstenir de
refrain from
s'abstenir de voter
abstain from voting
Similar words
se retenir: To check an impulse or one's words and refrain from acting or speaking.
renoncer: To resolve to abandon something desired and not pursue it.
éviter: To keep away from a particular matter or situation.
refuser: To refuse to accept another person's proposal or request.
Definition in French
Ne pas participer ou ne pas accomplir quelque chose volontairement, souvent par retenue morale ou sociale ; emploi fréquent : s'abstenir de + infinitif.
Word origin
French comes from Latin abstinēre, formed from ab- meaning 'away' and tenēre meaning 'hold', with s'abstenir expressing deliberate refraining.
Usage tips
- The usual construction is s'abstenir de followed by an infinitive or noun, as in s'abstenir de parler.
Other meanings
- abstainverb
Opposites
- participerparticipateverb
- votervoteverb
Related words
- abstentionabstentionnoun
- abstinentabstinentadjective