French word

renaître

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁənɛtʁ/

Meaning

  • verbcome back to life

Example

Après l'opération, il renaît peu à peu.

After the operation, he gradually came back to life.

Illustration for renaître (come back to life)

More examples

Après l'accident, la plante renaît à la vie.

After the accident, the plant comes back to life.

Core concept

A person, place, or idea coming back into active life after a period of absence or decline.

Common phrases

  • renaître à la vie

    come back to life

  • laisser renaître la confiance

    let confidence return

Similar words

revivre: To feel the will to live and everyday energy again.
reprendre vie: To become lively again after a period of stillness or decline.

Definition in French

Retrouver la vie ou une forme nouvelle d'existence après avoir cessé d'exister ou perdu sa vitalité.

Word origin

The French verb renaître continues Latin renasci, formed from re- meaning 'again' and nasci meaning 'to be born', through Old French.

Usage tips

  • Renaître takes être in compound tenses, so the past participle agrees with the subject: elle est renée and ils sont renés.

Other meanings

  • be rebornverb

Opposites

  • mourirdieverb
  • s'éteindrefade awayverb

Related words

Word lists with this word