essayer/e.sɛ.je/
verb · A2 · Frequency 177
verb
Meanings
to try on (clothes, shoes, etc.)
Used to refer to trying on clothes or shoes.
to try, to attempt to do something
Used to express attempting to do something; can be transitive or intransitive.
Examples
Je vais essayer cette veste avant de l'acheter.
I am going to try on this jacket before buying it.
Elle préfère essayer les chaussures en fin de journée.
She prefers to try on shoes at the end of the day.
Nous allons essayer de résoudre le problème avant la réunion.
We are going to try to solve the problem before the meeting.
Collocations
- essayer un vêtementto try on clothes
Common mistakes
Je vais essayer faire cet exercice.
Je vais essayer de faire cet exercice.
When essayer means attempting to do something, essayer is normally followed by an infinitive introduced by de.
Related words
synonymtenterto attempt to do something
Grammar note
Essayer is an essential pronominal verb and uses avoir as auxiliary in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to try on (clothes, shoes, etc.)
Used to refer to trying on clothes or shoes.
to try, to attempt to do something
Used to express attempting to do something; can be transitive or intransitive.
Examples
En essayant cette veste, elle a remarqué que les manches étaient trop longues.
While trying on this jacket, she noticed that the sleeves were too long.
Il a pris son temps en essayant plusieurs paires de chaussures.
He took his time while trying on several pairs of shoes.
En essayant de réparer l'imprimante, la technicienne a découvert un câble débranché.
While trying to repair the printer, the technician discovered a disconnected cable.
Grammar note
Essayer is an essential pronominal verb and uses avoir as auxiliary in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to try on (clothes, shoes, etc.)
Used to refer to trying on clothes or shoes.
to try, to attempt to do something
Used to express attempting to do something; can be transitive or intransitive.
Examples
J'ai essayé cette veste en cabine avant de l'acheter.
I tried on this jacket in the fitting room before buying it.
Elle a essayé les chaussures avec les chaussettes qu'elle porte habituellement.
She tried on the shoes with the socks she usually wears.
Après plusieurs échecs, il a essayé de réparer lui-même la machine.
After several failures, he tried to repair the machine himself.
Grammar note
Essayer is an essential pronominal verb and uses avoir as auxiliary in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to try on (clothes, shoes, etc.)
Used to refer to trying on clothes or shoes.
to try, to attempt to do something
Used to express attempting to do something; can be transitive or intransitive.
Examples
Paul essaye une veste avant de l'acheter.
Paul tries on a jacket before buying it.
J'essaye de terminer le rapport avant midi.
I try to finish the report before noon.
Elle essaye une nouvelle méthode pour résoudre le problème.
She tries a new method to solve the problem.
Grammar note
Essayer is an essential pronominal verb and uses avoir as auxiliary in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to try on (clothes, shoes, etc.)
Used to refer to trying on clothes or shoes.
to try, to attempt to do something
Used to express attempting to do something; can be transitive or intransitive.
Examples
Tu essayes cette veste avant de choisir ta taille.
You try on this jacket before choosing your size.
Tu essayes les chaussures dans le magasin pour vérifier leur confort.
You try on the shoes in the shop to check whether they are comfortable.
Tu essayes de réparer la lampe avant d'appeler un électricien.
You try to repair the lamp before calling an electrician.
Grammar note
Essayer is an essential pronominal verb and uses avoir as auxiliary in compound tenses.