French Verb 'dissuader': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

As a French language learner, mastering verbs like "dissuader" can take your skills to the next level. This comprehensive guide will delve into the meaning, conjugation, and usage of this essential verb, helping you build a strong foundation in your French journey.

What Does 'dissuader' Mean in French?

"Dissuader" is a French verb that means "to dissuade" or "to discourage". However, its nuances go beyond just discouraging someone. It can also imply persuading someone to abandon an idea or take a different course of action. For instance, if you're trying to convince your friend not to eat too much junk food, you could say "Je veux te dissuader de manger trop de friandises" ("I want to discourage you from eating too many sweets"). Here, "dissuader" implies persuading them to make a healthier choice.

Conjugation of 'dissuader'

Pronoun	Present	Passé composé	Futur simple
Jegye	dissuade	eus dissuadés	dissuaderai
Tu	dissudes	tu as dissuadé	dissuderai
Ils/Elles	dissuadent	ils/elles ont dissuadé	dissuderont
Nous	dissudons	nous avons dissuadé	dissuderons
Vous	dissuidez	vous avez dissuadé	dissuderez
Ils/Elles	dissuent	ils/elles ont dissuadé	dissuderont

How to Use 'dissuader' in a Sentence'

* "J'ai essayé de le dissuader de quitter son travail" ("I tried to discourage him from quitting his job") - Here, the speaker is trying to persuade someone to stay in their job. * "Mon ami m'a dit que je devais le dissuader de faire ça" ("My friend told me I should discourage him from doing that") - In this sentence, a friend advises the speaker to try and stop someone from making a mistake. * "Je voudrais te dissuader d'acheter ce jeu vidéo" ("I want to discourage you from buying this video game") - Here, the speaker is trying to persuade someone not to buy a particular game.

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'dissuader'

* "Fais-le dissuader de prendre ce risque" ("Make him realize it's risky") - In this phrase, "dissuader" is used to imply persuading someone not to take a risk. * "Je suis désolé que tu ne m'as pas écouté et que je n'ai pu te dissuader" ("I'm sorry you didn't listen and I couldn't discourage you") - Here, the speaker is expressing regret for not being able to persuade someone to change their mind. * "Il est important de le dissuader de prendre des décisions hâtives" ("It's important to discourage him from making impulsive decisions") - In this phrase, "dissuader" is used to imply advising someone to think carefully before making a decision.

Tips for Remembering 'dissuader'

* One way to remember the verb "dissuader" is to associate it with the English word "discourage". This can help you recall its meaning and usage. * Practice using "dissuader" in different contexts, such as persuading someone not to do something or advising them to take a different approach. Practice the verb dissuader on My-French.com