French Conversation · Level 45
75 words
French word
fonctionner
Pronunciation
IPA/fɔ̃ksjone/
Meaning
- verbwork
Example
L'imprimante fonctionne.
The printer works.
More examples
La machine fonctionne en continu.
The machine operates continuously.
Core concept
An appliance or system whose connected parts keep doing their intended job, like an even-running machine.
Common phrases
fonctionner sans problème
operate without problems
fonctionner en continu
operate continuously
Similar words
marcher: To work properly in ordinary use.
se mettre en marche: To begin running and enter an operating state.
s'allumer: To come on, light up, or show an indicator.
démarrer: To begin running, especially for an engine or machine.
Definition in French
Être en état de produire l'effet attendu ou d'assurer son rôle, comme un appareil, un système ou un procédé.
Word origin
French fonctionner was formed from fonction with the verb ending -er, while fonction comes from Latin functio, from fungi, meaning to perform a duty.
Usage tips
- Fonctionner is normally intransitive, while faire fonctionner means to make a device, system, or process work.
Other meanings
- operateverb
- go wellverb
Opposites
- s'arrêterceaseverb
Related words
- fonctionnementoperationnoun
- fonctionnalitéfunctionalitynoun