French word

pendre

Pronunciation

IPA/pɑ̃dʁ/

Meaning

  • verbhang

Example

Elle pend le cadre au mur.

She hangs the frame on the wall.

Illustration for pendre (hang)

More examples

Il pend sa veste au crochet.

He hangs his jacket on the hook.

Core concept

Something attached at one point and hanging freely below it, including a person suspended as a punishment.

Common phrases

  • pendre un tableau

    hang a picture

  • pendre le linge

    hang out the laundry

  • pendre un manteau

    hang up a coat

Similar words

accrocher: To hook or pin an object in place.
suspendre: To hang an object from above using a string, rope, or chain.
attacher: To secure an object with a tie or fastener so it cannot move.
fixer: To mount an object securely using nails, screws, or similar fasteners.

Definition in French

Mettre quelque chose en suspension à partir d'un point d'attache; verbe transitif qui s'emploie aussi pour la mise à mort par suspension.

Word origin

The verb developed in French from Latin pendere through Old French, while its related forms support meanings involving something hanging or suspended.

Usage tips

  • The transitive pattern is pendre quelque chose à or au..., while se pendre means 'to hang oneself' and has a distinct reflexive meaning.

Opposites

Related words

  • penduhangingadjective
  • pendaisonhangingnoun

Word lists with this word