assis
In French, the word for sitting is assis.
Meaning: a period during which one is seated for a specific purpose (noun)
Which one should you use?
While English often uses the present participle sitting to describe the ongoing action, French uses the past participle assis to describe the state of being in a seated position.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form must agree in gender and number with the subject. Use assis for a male or a mixed group, and assise if the person is female. For a group of only women, use the feminine plural form assises.
Did you know?
- The word assis shares an ancient root with the English word 'assess', which originally meant to 'sit beside' someone to act as an advisor or judge.
- In French legal terminology, the Cour d'assises is the permanent criminal court. The term refers to the formal 'sitting' or assembly of the judges and jurors.
- The word assise is also used in architecture to describe the foundation or the base layer of stones in a building. It literally refers to the 'sitting' layer that supports the rest of the structure.
Examples in context
- Qui était assis ici ?Who was sitting here?This sentence is useful for asking who was in a specific seated position using assis.Tatoeba #5347359 by Aiji, translation #3222954 by CK
- Lorsque tu es assis ?While sitting?This sentence is useful for asking about the state of being seated using assis.Tatoeba #9938828 by Micsmithel, translation #9853818 by NurseMeeks
- Sur quoi es-tu assis ?What are you sitting on?This sentence is useful for asking what someone is seated upon using assis.Tatoeba #6599411 by Aiji, translation #3222983 by CK
- Les invités sont assis dans la salle de conférence.The guests are sitting in the conference room.
- Nous sommes à table, prêts à commencer notre repas.We are sitting at the table, ready to start our meal.
- On est tous assis dans le jardin à discuter.We are all sitting in the garden, chatting.
- Je suis assis(e) au café en attendant mes amis.I'm sitting at the café, waiting for my friends.
- Viens t'asseoir sur la chaise à côté de moi.Come sit on the chair next to me.
- 269 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are at an art studio.
- ManonC'est la fin de ton premier assis ?Is it the end of your first sitting?
- HugoOui, je suis fatigué d'être assis.Yes, I am tired of sitting.
- ManonTu restes assis pour encore dix minutes.Stay seated for ten more minutes.
- HugoD'accord, je reste assis.Okay, I'll stay seated.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries assis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
