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verbverb

aliter

go to bed

Definition & meaning

Aliter is a French verb meaning to put someone to bed or to confine someone to bed, usually because of illness.

It is most commonly used in its pronominal form, s’aliter , meaning:

  • to take to one’s bed
  • to become bedridden
  • to lie down in bed because one is ill

Examples:

  • La maladie l’a alité pendant plusieurs semaines.
    “The illness confined him to bed for several weeks.”
  • Elle a dû s’aliter.
    “She had to take to her bed.”

Grammar & Word origin

Aliter is a regular first-group verb ending in -er. Its pronominal form, s’aliter , is much more frequent in everyday French.

The word is formed from lit , meaning “bed,” with the verbal ending -er. The related noun alitement means “confinement to bed” or “bed rest.”

Common forms:

  • j’alite — I put someone to bed
  • il s’alite — he takes to his bed
  • elle est alitée — she is bedridden

The past participle agrees in gender and number when used with être: elle est alitée, ils sont alités.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • coucher — to put someone to bed; more general and often less specifically connected with illness
  • mettre au lit — to put someone in bed; a clear everyday expression
  • se coucher — to go to bed or lie down; unlike s’aliter, it does not necessarily imply illness
  • se mettre au lit — to get into bed; neutral and not necessarily medical

Aliter and s’aliter usually suggest illness, medical treatment, or prolonged bed rest, whereas se coucher can simply mean going to bed normally.

Antonyms

  • se lever — to get up; the direct opposite of remaining in bed
  • se relever — to get back up, especially after illness or weakness
  • sortir du lit — to get out of bed; a literal opposite in many contexts

Common phrases & collocations

  • être alité — to be bedridden
  • rester alité — to remain in bed
  • un patient alité — a bedridden patient
  • un repos alité — bed rest
  • être alité pendant plusieurs jours — to be confined to bed for several days
  • conseiller à quelqu’un de s’aliter — to advise someone to take to bed

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Examples

Je m'alite ce soir.Word type unavailable

I'm going to bed tonight.

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