French word

gémir

Pronunciation

IPA/ʒemiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbgroan

Example

Il gémit de douleur.

He groaned in pain.

Illustration for gémir (groan)

More examples

Le bébé gémit dans son sommeil.

The baby groans in his sleep.

Core concept

A person repeatedly releasing a plaintive groan to convey pain, complaint, or annoyance.

Common phrases

  • gémir de douleur

    groan in pain

  • gémir en silence

    groan in silence

Similar words

se plaindre: Express dissatisfaction or distress to someone in words.
râler: Voice complaints about something unpleasant in a grumbling way.
pleurer: Cry aloud while shedding tears.

Definition in French

Émettre un gémissement audible et souvent répété pour exprimer la souffrance, la plainte ou la contrariété.

Word origin

French gémir comes from Latin gemere, 'to groan', through Old French, and is related to French gémissement.

Usage tips

  • Gémir often sounds literary or descriptive in French, while everyday speech more often uses se plaindre, râler, or avoir mal.

Other meanings

  • lamentverb
  • moanverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word