gémir
/ʒe.miʁ/
To moan in French is gémir.
The verb gémir means to make a moan or a similar sound. It can be used to describe a person making a sound of physical pain, but it is also used to describe a person complaining or whining in a way that is often perceived as annoying.
Meaning: to make a moan or similar sound (verb)
Which one should you use?
While gémir describes the action of moaning or groaning, the noun gémissement refers to the sound itself, such as a low cry of pain.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
gémir is a regular second group -ir verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒe.miʁ/
Did you know?
- While gémir can describe physical pain, it is also used metaphorically for the wind or the sea. You might read about the waves that gémissent against the rocks, personifying nature through a sound of suffering.
- The verb gémir has a twin in French called geindre, which also means to moan or complain. While they share an ancestor, geindre is the more 'native' French form, whereas gémir was borrowed from Latin.
- The noun form gémissement is often used in technical or scientific contexts to describe a low-frequency mechanical sound. A machine might produce a gémissement if a part is failing or under stress.
Examples in context
- J'en ai assez de t'entendre gémir et maugréer.I am tired of hearing you moan and groan.This sentence shows how to use gémir when describing someone complaining.Tatoeba #1306335 by sacredceltic, translation #1305735 by Legion
- Il gémit de douleurHe moans in pain
- Arrête de rouspéter tout le temps !Stop moaning all the time!
- Je me plains souvent de mon travailI often moan about my job
- Il peste constamment contre les petits problèmesHe constantly moans about small issues
- J'en ai marre de ses plaintes constantes !I'm fed up with his constant moaning!
- Elle gémit de bonheurShe moans with pleasure
- Il gémit lourdement de douleurHe moans heavily in pain
- Il ne fait que gémir de douleur.He does nothing but moan in pain.
- Le malade commence à gémir doucement.The sick patient is starting to moan softly.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are at the hospital visiting a patient.
- EmmaEst-ce qu'il va continuer à gémir toute la nuit ?Is he going to continue moaning all night?
- GabrielJe pense qu'il souffre beaucoup, Emma.I think he is suffering a lot, Emma.
- EmmaOn devrait peut-être appeler une infirmière.We should perhaps call a nurse.
- GabrielTu as raison, je vais le faire.You are right, I will do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moan” translations and entries gémir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gémir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
