verb

jouir

enjoy

Ressentir un très grand plaisir ou une satisfaction intense face à une situation ou une émotion.

jouir

Meaning:
In French, the verb jouir primarily means "to enjoy" or "to take pleasure in." It is often used to express experiencing delight or satisfaction from something. Additionally, it can mean "to enjoy" in the sense of possessing or benefiting from something, like rights or privileges.

Usage and meanings:

  1. To enjoy (pleasure or satisfaction):

    • Example: Il jouit de la vie. — He enjoys life.
      This usage involves experiencing happiness or pleasure derived from a situation, object, or activity.
  2. To possess or have (rights, privileges):

    • Example: Il jouit de droits civiques. — He enjoys (has) civil rights.
      Here, jouir means to hold or possess legally or socially granted benefits or rights.
  3. (Colloquial / sexual context):
    In a more informal or erotic context, it can mean "to orgasm" or "to climax."

Parts of the word:
It comes from Latin gaudēre meaning "to rejoice or enjoy." The verb is conjugated as an -ir verb, but it belongs to the second group of verbs.

Synonyms:

  • apprécier (to appreciate)
  • profiter de (to take advantage of/enjoy)
  • bénéficier de (to benefit from)

Antonyms:

  • souffrir (to suffer)
  • détester (to hate, dislike)
  • ne pas apprécier (not to appreciate)

Summary:
Jouir is a verb that means "to enjoy" in terms of experiencing pleasure or possessing rights, with an additional colloquial meaning related to sexual climax. It is used both for emotional pleasure and legal or social entitlement.

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Examples

Nous n'avons pas pu jouir tranquillement du spectacle à cause du bruit.verb

We could not enjoy the show quietly because of the noise.

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