étudier
/e.ty.dje/
In French, the English phrase "studying" is translated as étudier.
The word étudier refers to the action of studying.
Meaning: the action of the verb to study (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express that someone is currently in the process of studying (the continuous aspect), use the construction être en train de followed by the infinitive étudier. In many cases where English uses the gerund "studying" as a noun or the object of a verb, French uses the infinitive étudier.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.ty.dje/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use étudiant to mean "studying". That word is a noun meaning "a student".
Did you know?
- In France, students often use the slang term bosser instead of étudier to describe the hard work of studying. It comes from the word bosse, referring to the hump on a worker's back from labor.
- The word étudier shares a common ancestor with the Latin 'studere', which originally meant 'to be eager' or 'to be zealous' rather than just to read books.
- To describe 'cramming' for an exam, French speakers use the vivid phrase potter or bachoter, implying an intense, often superficial style of studying.
Examples in context
- Moi, j’aime pas étudier.I don't like studying.This sentence shows a negative preference regarding studying using étudier.Tatoeba #4252565 by gillux, translation #261642 by CK
- Il est en train d'étudier.He's studying.This sentence uses the continuous construction to show he is currently studying.Tatoeba #4602624 by sacredceltic, translation #593281 by CK
- Je suis en train d'étudier.I am studying now.This sentence uses the continuous construction to show the speaker is currently studying.Tatoeba #6508 by U2FS, translation #257625 by CK
- Je vais étudier ce soir.I am going to study tonight.
- Il fait des études de médecine.He is studying medicine.
- Elle se consacre entièrement à ses études.She dedicates herself entirely to her studies.
- J'apprends le français tous les jours.I study French every day.
- On révise ensemble pour l'examen?Shall we study together for the exam?
- Je bosse toute la journée pour mes examens.I am studying all day for my exams.
- Il a passé la nuit à potasser pour son examen de maths.He spent the night cramming for his math exam.
- Je dois travailler dur pour réussir mes études.I have to work hard to succeed in my studies.
- Je vais étudierI am going to study
- J'ai étudiéI studied
- 140 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are talking about their weekend plans.
- ChloéTu veux sortir samedi ?Do you want to go out on Saturday?
- GabrielNon, je dois étudier pour l'examen.No, I have to study for the exam.
- ChloéTu passes trop de temps à étudier !You spend too much time studying!
- GabrielC'est vrai, mais c'est important, Chloé.It's true, but it's important, Chloé.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry étudier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries étudier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
