French Conversation · Level 20
90 words
French word
perdre
Pronunciation
IPA/pɛʁdʁ/
Meaning
- verblose
Example
J'ai perdu mes clés.
I lost my keys.
More examples
Il a peur de perdre son emploi.
He is afraid of losing his job.
Core concept
A person sees a possession, chance, or resource pass from available to gone.
Common phrases
perdre le fil
lose track
perdre son emploi
lose one's job
Similar words
oublier: To forget something that should have been remembered.
égarer: To misplace something and be unable to find it.
rater: To miss a vehicle or an opportunity by being too late.
laisser: To leave something somewhere without taking it away.
Definition in French
Ne plus avoir quelque chose, perdre la possession; sert aussi à indiquer une défaite ou un gaspillage (temps, argent, occasion).
Word origin
Perdre is inherited from Latin perdere through Old French; Latin per- and dare combine in a verb associated with destruction and loss.
Usage tips
- Perdre takes a direct object with resources and opportunities, as in perdre du temps, perdre de l'argent, and perdre une occasion.