French word

traîner

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁene/

Meaning

  • verbhang out

Example

Les ados traînent souvent au parc le dimanche.

The teens often hang out at the park on Sundays.

Illustration for traîner (hang out)

More examples

Des papiers traînent sur la table.

Some papers are lying around on the table.

Core concept

Something stays behind its expected movement, either as a person wandering aimlessly, an object left out, or an action that will not finish.

Common phrases

  • traîner au lit

    dawdle in bed

  • traîner dans les magasins

    wander around stores

  • traîner les pieds

    drag one's feet

Similar words

flâner: To wander leisurely while taking in the surroundings.
se promener: To go for a walk outdoors for relaxation or a change of pace.
s'attarder: To stay somewhere beyond the expected time.
glander: To idle around and let time pass without doing anything.

Definition in French

Rester ou flâner sans objectif dans un lieu; par extension, laisser des objets négligés, traîner quelque chose physiquement, ou indiquer qu'une action se prolonge.

Word origin

The verb developed from Old French trainer, descended from Latin trahere 'to pull', and extended from physical dragging to delayed movement and duration.

Usage tips

  • Traîner is commonly followed by dans or au for a place, but traîner sur means that an object is left lying on a surface.

Other meanings

  • lie aroundverb
  • dragverb
  • dawdleverb
  • drag onverb

Opposites

  • se dépêcherhurryverb

Related words

Word lists with this word