verb

verser

pour · shed

C’est faire couler un liquide d’un récipient dans un autre.

The French verb "verser" primarily means "to pour" or "to spill" liquid or substances. It is a versatile verb used in various contexts related to the action of transferring or depositing something, especially liquids.

Main meanings of "verser":

To pour (a liquid)
Example: Verser de l'eau dans un verre — To pour water into a glass.
To deposit or pay money
Example: Verser de l'argent sur un compte — To deposit money into an account.
Also used for paying fees, wages, pensions, etc.
To shed (tears, blood)
Example: Verser des larmes — To shed tears; verser du sang — To shed blood.
To tip over or spill involuntarily
Example: Le vase s'est renversé et a versé l'eau. — The vase tipped over and spilled the water.

Important synonyms and nuances:

Déverser: Also means "to pour" but often implies dumping or discharging (often large quantities or waste). More intense or uncontrolled than "verser."
Example: Déverser des déchets dans la rivière — To dump waste into the river.
Verser vs. Couler:
- Verser means actively pouring or depositing a liquid.
- Couler means a liquid flows or runs on its own or to drip.
  Example: L'eau coule du robinet. (The water flows from the tap) vs. Je verse de l'eau dans le verre. (I pour water into the glass).
Verser vs. Payer:
Both can relate to money, but "payer" emphasizes paying for something or settling an amount due, while "verser" stresses the action of putting funds into an account or paying a deposit or contribution.

Summary:

"Verser" is used for pouring liquids, putting money into accounts or giving payments, shedding substances like blood or tears, or spilling/liquid transfer.
Its tone can be neutral; the context clarifies the specific meaning.
When compared to synonyms, "verser" is the general term for pouring, with "déverser" for dumping or spilling strongly, "couler" for flowing naturally, and "payer" for paying money in exchange contexts.