French word

rester

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁɛste/

Meaning

  • verbstay

Example

Je vais rester ici ce soir.

I am going to stay here tonight.

Illustration for rester (stay)

More examples

Il a décidé de rester à la maison aujourd'hui.

He decided to stay at home today.

Core concept

Something remains after other things have gone, or a person continues to be somewhere.

Common phrases

  • rester à la maison

    stay at home

  • rester ici

    stay here

  • rester calme

    stay calm

Similar words

attendre: Wait for someone or something to arrive or happen.
habiter: Live in a place as part of daily life.
séjourner: Stay somewhere for a short time, especially while traveling.
traîner: Linger in a place without a clear purpose for a long time.

Definition in French

Continuer d'exister ou subsister en quantité ou en durée, et être encore présent en un lieu.

Word origin

The verb rester developed from Latin restare through Old French and retained both the sense of remaining and the sense of staying.

Usage tips

  • With a quantity or time, French commonly uses impersonal il reste, as in Il reste trois jours, meaning 'Three days remain.'

Other meanings

  • remainverb

Opposites

Related words

  • restantremainingadjective
  • restéstayedadjective

Word lists with this word