French word

songer

Pronunciation

IPA/sɔ̃ʒe/

Meaning

  • verbthink of

Example

Elle songe souvent à son enfance.

She often thinks of her childhood.

Illustration for songer (think of)

More examples

Je songe à accepter cette offre.

I am thinking about accepting this offer.

Core concept

A person gazes into the distance while turning an idea over slowly and seriously.

Common phrases

  • songer à + infinitif

    think about doing ___

  • songer à + nom

    think about ___

Similar words

penser: To think about something.
réfléchir: To examine reasons or methods at length to reach an answer or make a judgment.
imaginer: To imagine something that is not real or present.

Definition in French

Signifie penser ou réfléchir; s'emploie souvent avec la préposition à pour indiquer l'objet ou une action envisagée (songer à quelque chose, songer à faire quelque chose).

Word origin

Songer comes through Old French songier from Latin somnium, meaning dream, and develops from dreaming or daydreaming toward thoughtful consideration.

Usage tips

  • Songer is more literary or formal than penser in many everyday contexts, so penser is usually more natural for casual statements of thought.

Other meanings

  • considerverb
  • dreamverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word