Perdre is the most common way to say “to lose” in French. But did you know there are many other ways to express this concept, each with its own nuance and context?

Whether you're talking about losing your keys, losing a game, or even losing your mind, French offers a rich vocabulary to accurately convey the idea.

Let's dive into 9 different ways to say “to lose” in French, so you can choose the perfect word for any situation!

1. The general "to lose" (an object, a game, a person, weight) – perdre

The general "to lose" (an object, a game, a person, weight) – perdre

Perdre is the most common and versatile French verb for 'to lose'. It covers a wide range of situations, from misplacing an object to losing a game or even a loved one. Understanding its various uses is key to expressing loss in French accurately.

Perdre is a regular -RE verb, which means its conjugation follows a predictable pattern, making it relatively easy to learn. For example, in the present tense, it conjugates as: je perds, tu perds, il/elle/on perd, nous perdons, vous perdez, ils/elles perdent. Its past participle is perdu.

The most straightforward and frequent use of perdre is when you lose or misplace a physical item. This could be anything from your keys or wallet to your phone or a document. It implies an unintentional act of misplacing something.

In the context of sports, games, or any competition, perdre is the verb you'll naturally use to describe losing a game, a match, or a competition. It's the direct opposite of gagner (to win).

Perdre can also be used in a more somber and profound context, referring to the loss of a person. This often implies loss due to death, but it can also refer to a separation, divorce, or simply losing contact with someone.

Beyond physical objects and people, perdre is also used for abstract concepts such as losing weight (perdre du poids), wasting time (perdre du temps), or missing an opportunity (perdre une occasion). This highlights its broad applicability.

An important variation is the reflexive form, se perdre, which means 'to get lost'. This is crucial when navigating unfamiliar places or becoming disoriented. Remember to use a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) with it.

Perdre is integrated into several common French expressions and idioms, adding to its versatility. Examples include perdre la tête (to lose one's mind), perdre patience (to lose patience), or perdre connaissance (to lose consciousness).

From everyday annoyances like misplaced keys to significant life events, perdre is the indispensable French verb for expressing various forms of 'loss'. Mastering its uses will significantly enhance your fluency and ability to communicate effectively in French.

💡 * J'ai perdu mes clés. (I lost my keys.)

Notre équipe a perdu le match. (Our team lost the game.)

Elle a perdu son grand-père l'année dernière. (She lost her grandfather last year.)

Il essaie de perdre du poids. (He is trying to lose weight.)

Ne perds pas de temps ! (Don't waste time!)

Je me suis perdu dans la forêt. (I got lost in the forest.)

To misplace or lose track of (an object, one's way) – égarer

To misplace or lose track of (an object, one's way) – égarer

The French verb égarer means "to misplace" or "to lose track of." It is commonly used when something isn't where it should be, implying a temporary or accidental displacement rather than a permanent loss.

You'll often use égarer when you can't find an object, like keys, glasses, or an important document. The implication is that the item is still around, just not in its expected spot.

The reflexive form, s'égarer, is particularly useful. It means "to get lost" or "to lose one's way," applying to people who lose their bearings in a physical location, or even metaphorically, like losing one's train of thought.

It's crucial to differentiate égarer from perdre (to lose). While perdre can imply a permanent loss (e.g., losing a wallet forever), égarer suggests misplacing something, often with the expectation of finding it again. Think of égarer as "to temporarily lose sight of" or "to put in the wrong place."

The verb égarer often carries a connotation of unintentionality or absent-mindedness. You didn't mean to lose it; you just misplaced it.

From physical objects to abstract concepts like thoughts or even one's reputation, égarer can describe a temporary deviation or loss of proper placement.

💡 * J'ai égaré mes clés, je ne sais plus où elles sont. (I've misplaced my keys, I don't know where they are anymore.)

Nous nous sommes égarés dans la forêt pendant la randonnée. (We got lost in the forest during the hike.)

Fais attention à ne pas égarer ce document important. (Be careful not to misplace this important document.)

Ses pensées s'égarent souvent pendant les cours. (His thoughts often wander during classes.)

Le berger a égaré une de ses brebis. (The shepherd lost track of one of his sheep.)

To miss or fail (an opportunity, a target, an exam) – rater

The French verb rater is a versatile and commonly used word that translates primarily to 'to miss' or 'to fail' in English. It's essential for expressing moments when something doesn't quite go as planned, whether it's an opportunity, a target, or an exam.

You'll most often encounter rater when talking about missing an opportunity (rater une occasion), missing a target or goal (e.g., rater un tir - to miss a shot), or failing an exam or test (rater un examen).

Rater is a regular -ER verb, which means its conjugation follows a predictable pattern. This makes it relatively easy to learn and use in various tenses, such as je rate (I miss/fail), tu rates, il/elle rate, nous ratons, vous ratez, ils/elles ratent in the present tense.

It's crucial not to confuse rater with manquer. While both can mean 'to miss,' manquer typically implies missing a person (to miss someone, manquer à quelqu'un) or lacking something (manquer de quelque chose). Rater, on the other hand, is used for missing a physical target, an event, or failing something concrete.

An informal synonym for rater is louper. While both mean 'to miss' or 'to mess up,' louper is generally more colloquial and might be used in casual conversation, for example, J'ai loupé mon bus (I missed my bus) or J'ai loupé mon examen (I failed my exam). Rater is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

When using rater, the thing you miss or fail is usually a direct object. For example, in J'ai raté le bus (I missed the bus) or Elle a raté son rendez-vous (She missed her appointment), 'le bus' and 'son rendez-vous' are direct objects. This direct construction is a hallmark of rater's usage.

💡 * J'ai raté mon train ce matin. (I missed my train this morning.)

Il a raté son coup. (He missed his shot/failed his attempt.)

Nous avons raté une belle occasion. (We missed a great opportunity.)

Elle espère ne pas rater son examen. (She hopes not to fail her exam.)

Tu as raté un épisode important de la série. (You missed an important episode of the series.)

To miss (a person) or to lack (something) – manquer

The verb manquer is a versatile French verb with two primary meanings directly related to its English translations: to miss (a person or thing) and to lack (something).

When manquer means to miss a person or a thing, it uses the construction manquer à quelqu'un/quelque chose. A key point for learners is the grammatical inversion: the person being missed is the subject of manquer, and the person doing the missing is the indirect object (preceded by à). For example, 'Tu me manques' literally means 'You are missing to me,' but translates to 'I miss you.'

When manquer means to lack or to be short of something, it is typically followed by de + noun. This structure indicates an absence or insufficiency. For instance, Il manque de courage means 'He lacks courage,' and Nous manquons d'argent means 'We are short of money.'

💡 * Tu me manques beaucoup. (I miss you very much.)

Elle manque à ses amis. (Her friends miss her.)

Ce pays manque de ressources naturelles. (This country lacks natural resources.)

Nous manquons de temps pour finir le projet. (We are short of time to finish the project.)

Son sourire me manque. (I miss her smile.)

To waste (time, money, resources) – gaspiller

The French verb gaspiller translates directly to 'to waste' or 'to squander' in English. It's a versatile verb used across various contexts, from time and money to resources and opportunities, always carrying a negative connotation of misuse.

When you want to express the idea of 'wasting time,' gaspiller is the perfect verb. You'll often hear phrases like gaspiller son temps (to waste one's time) or ne pas gaspiller une minute (not to waste a minute), emphasizing the squandering of precious time.

Beyond time, gaspiller is also commonly used for 'wasting money' (gaspiller de l'argent) or 'wasting resources' (gaspiller des ressources). This includes anything from food (gaspiller la nourriture) to electricity (gaspiller l'électricité), highlighting inefficiency or excess.

Gaspiller is a regular -ER verb, which means its conjugation follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -er. This makes it relatively straightforward to use in different tenses, such as je gaspille (I waste), tu gaspillais (you were wasting), or nous gaspillerons (we will waste).

The scope of gaspiller extends even to abstract concepts like 'wasting an opportunity' (gaspiller une opportunité or gaspiller sa chance). In all its uses, the verb implies a regrettable loss due to poor judgment or negligence.

💡 * Il ne faut pas gaspiller son temps à regarder la télé. (One shouldn't waste their time watching TV.)

Nous gaspillons trop d'eau dans cette maison. (We waste too much water in this house.)

Elle a gaspillé tout son argent en achetant des choses inutiles. (She wasted all her money buying useless things.)

Ne gaspille pas cette chance unique ! (Don't waste this unique opportunity!)

Je déteste gaspiller la nourriture quand il y a tant de gens qui ont faim. (I hate wasting food when there are so many hungry people.)

To get rid of or part with (an object, a habit) – se défaire de

The French reflexive verb se défaire de translates to 'to get rid of,' 'to part with,' or 'to shed.' It's crucial to remember the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous) and the preposition de that always follows, indicating what is being discarded or let go of.

One common usage of se défaire de is when you want to get rid of physical objects. This often implies a deliberate decision to dispose of something that is no longer wanted or needed, rather than just throwing it away casually. Think of decluttering or making space.

Beyond tangible items, se défaire de is frequently used for abstract concepts like habits, beliefs, or even negative emotions. It conveys the effort involved in breaking free from something ingrained, such as an old routine, a prejudice, or a persistent worry.

As a reflexive verb, se défaire de requires careful conjugation with the appropriate reflexive pronoun. The preposition de is non-negotiable and introduces the object or concept you are parting with. Its nuance often suggests a more personal act of detachment or liberation than a simple verb like jeter (to throw).

💡 * Il a du mal à se défaire de ses vieilles habitudes. (He has trouble getting rid of his old habits.)

Je dois me défaire de ces cartons inutiles. (I need to get rid of these useless boxes.)

Elle a réussi à se défaire de sa peur du noir. (She managed to get rid of her fear of the dark.)

Nous devrions nous défaire de cette idée reçue. (We should get rid of this preconceived notion.)

Tu devrais te défaire de cette vieille voiture. (You should part with that old car.)

To give way or lose ground (in a negotiation, a fight) – céder

The verb céder in French translates primarily to "to give way," "to yield," or "to surrender." It implies a relinquishing of position, ground, or resistance.

In the context of discussions or negotiations, céder is used to describe making a concession or backing down from a particular stance. It signifies a willingness to compromise or to abandon a point of contention.

When referring to a fight, struggle, or any situation involving pressure, céder means to yield physically, emotionally, or strategically. It can imply a collapse, a surrender, or a failure to maintain resistance against an opposing force.

💡 * Il n'a pas voulu céder sur ses principes. (He didn't want to give way on his principles.)

Après de longues discussions, ils ont finalement cédé sur le prix. (After long discussions, they finally gave in on the price.)

Le vieux mur a cédé sous la pression de l'eau. (The old wall gave way under the pressure of the water.)

Le gouvernement n'a pas l'intention de céder aux demandes des grévistes. (The government has no intention of giving in to the strikers' demands.)

To faint or lose consciousness – s'évanouir

The French verb s'évanouir directly translates to 'to faint' or 'to lose consciousness'. It's a reflexive verb, meaning it always uses a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se).

As a reflexive verb, s'évanouir requires conjugation with the appropriate reflexive pronoun. For example, 'I faint' is je m'évanouis, and 'she fainted' is elle s'est évanouie (using être as the auxiliary verb in passé composé).

This verb is used in formal and informal contexts to describe the sudden loss of consciousness, whether due to shock, illness, heat, or other physical reasons. It's a straightforward way to express 'to faint'.

While s'évanouir is the standard term, you might also hear the more idiomatic tomber dans les pommes (literally 'to fall into the apples'), which also means 'to faint' but is more informal. S'évanouir is generally more neutral and widely applicable.

💡 *Elle s'est évanouie à cause de la chaleur. (She fainted because of the heat.)
*Je m'évanouis souvent quand je vois du sang. (I often faint when I see blood.)
*Il a failli s'évanouir en apprenant la nouvelle. (He almost fainted upon hearing the news.)
*Ne t'inquiète pas, il va se réveiller, il s'est juste évanoui. (Don't worry, he'll wake up, he just fainted.)
*Les spectateurs se sont évanouis devant la scène. (The spectators fainted in front of the scene.)

To waste away or lose vitality (like a plant or person) – dépérir

When you want to express the idea of something or someone 'wasting away' or 'losing vitality' in French, the verb to use is dépérir.

Dépérir describes a gradual decline, a loss of strength, health, or vigor. It can be applied to various subjects: a plant that withers, a person whose health deteriorates, or even an organization that is failing.

This verb is conjugated like other regular -ir verbs such as finir. For example, in the present tense, you would say je dépéris (I waste away) or nous dépérissons (we waste away).

Beyond physical decline, dépérir can also be used figuratively to describe something that 'languishes' or 'fades away,' such as a love affair, an idea, or a project that lacks support.

💡 * La plante dépérit faute d'eau. (The plant is wasting away for lack of water.)

Après une longue maladie, elle a commencé à dépérir. (After a long illness, she started to waste away.)

Son rêve a dépéri avec le temps. (His dream wasted away with time.)

Sans amour, son esprit dépérissait. (Without love, her spirit was wasting away.)

L'entreprise dépérissait sous une mauvaise gestion. (The company was wasting away under bad management.)

Are there other ways to say 'to lose' in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say 'to lose' in French. But the French language, like any other, is rich with nuances, including old-fashioned terms, regional expressions, and emerging slang that even this author might not be fully aware of!

To delve deeper, you can also perform an online search for “comment dire perdre en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region to discover local variations.

As you explore, you might uncover interesting synonyms for perdre. Remember to always verify a word’s definition and observe its usage in context before incorporating it into your vocabulary.

Cultivate an attentive ear and eye as you engage with French media, literature, and conversations. You'll likely stumble upon diverse and colorful ways to express the concept of 'losing'.

For a comprehensive exploration of perdre and related vocabulary, the WordReference entry for perdre is an excellent starting point, offering a wealth of conjugations, definitions, and idiomatic expressions.

I trust this article has been beneficial in your French learning journey. To conclude, here’s a poignant French proverb that resonates with the theme of loss: Il y a des pertes qui sont des gains. (There are some losses that are gains.)

9 ways to say "to lose" in French