French Conversation · Level 32
90 words
French word
sédentaire
Pronunciation
IPA/sedɑ̃tɛʁ/
Meaning
- adjectivesedentary
Example
Il a un mode de vie sédentaire.
He leads a sedentary lifestyle.
More examples
Beaucoup de postes de bureau sont sédentaires.
Many office jobs are sedentary.
Core concept
Daily life centered on sitting, such as desk work, with physical activity kept below a healthy level.
Common phrases
poste sédentaire
sedentary job
vie de bureau sédentaire
sedentary office life
Similar words
inactif: Rarely engaging in exercise or other physical activity.
peu actif: Not very active and doing little physical movement in daily life.
Definition in French
Qui décrit un emploi ou un mode de vie où l'on passe la plupart du temps assis, au risque d'une activité physique insuffisante.
Word origin
Sédentaire derives from Latin sedentarius, formed from sedere meaning 'to sit', and French applies this sitting-based adjective to jobs and lifestyles.
Usage tips
- In health contexts, sédentaire describes a general pattern of prolonged low movement, not merely someone sitting at one particular moment.
Other meanings
- inactiveadjective
- settledadjective
Related words
- sédentaritésedentary behaviornoun
- sédentarismesedentary lifestylenoun