errer
/e.ʁe/
The English verb wander can be translated into French as errer. Wiktionary also lists vaguer and divaguer.
Meaning: to move without purpose or specified destination, often in search of livelihood (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| errer | /e.ʁe/ |
| vaguer | /va.ɡe/ |
| divaguer | /di.va.ɡe/ |
To wander means to move without purpose or specified destination. Often in search of livelihood (verb).
Which one should you use?
divaguer is used for wandering in thought or speech, such as rambling or digressing.
How do you pronounce it?
errer is pronounced /e.ʁe/ and has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, you can say vaguer à ses occupations, which means to go about one's business. Paradoxically, this use of a 'wandering' verb describes purposeful, routine activity.
- The verb vaguer is frequently used in the fixed expression vaguer à la musique, which describes someone who is idling or 'drifting' instead of working.
- The English word 'error' and the French verb errer share the same root, meaning to stray from a path or a truth.
Examples in context
- Pendant trois jours, j'ai dû errer dans le désert.For three days I had to wander in the desert.This sentence shows how to use errer regarding movement in a desert.Tatoeba #10492123 by lbdx, translation #10457284 by AlanF_US
- À un moment comme ça, il est nécessaire de rester chez soi et de ne pas errer dans les rues.In a time like this, one should stay at home and not wander the streets.This sentence illustrates the use of errer in the context of streets.Tatoeba #6005001 by Fabimoto, translation #6004789 by tvindy
- Il a passé toute la journée à errer dans les ruelles étroites de la vieille ville.He spent the whole day wandering through the narrow streets of the old town.
- Il ne faut pas errer sans but toute la nuit.One should not wander aimlessly all night.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about a character in a novel.
- EmmaPourquoi ce personnage doit-il errer seul ?Why must this character wander alone?
- LucasIl cherche un travail pour survivre.He is looking for work to survive.
- EmmaAlors, il va errer de ville en ville.So, he is going to wander from town to town.
- LucasC'est exactement ce que le livre raconte.That is exactly what the book says.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wander” translations and entries errer, vaguer, divaguer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries divaguer, errer, vaguer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
