French word

jouir

Pronunciation

IPA/ʒwiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbenjoy

Example

Nous jouissons du soleil.

We enjoy the sunshine.

Illustration for jouir (enjoy)

More examples

Elle jouit pleinement de son temps libre.

She enjoys her free time to the fullest.

Core concept

A person drawing complete benefit and pleasure from something available to them.

Similar words

profiter: To gain benefit or enjoyment from an opportunity or situation.
apprécier: To recognize the good qualities of something and like it.
savourer: To enjoy something slowly, taking time to appreciate its flavor or quality.

Definition in French

Profiter pleinement d'un bien ou d'une situation, généralement construit avec « de ».

Word origin

The French verb jouir developed from Old French joïr, itself descended from Latin gaudēre, as rejoicing came to include enjoying a benefit fully.

Usage tips

  • Jouir has an elevated or literary tone in the sense of enjoying a benefit, so profiter de is usually more natural in ordinary conversation.

Other meanings

  • benefit fromverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word