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détendre

relax

verb deh-tahn-DR Less Common

Also means

release tension

Usage Note

Détendre most often appears reflexively as se détendre, meaning to unwind or chill out. The adjective détendu describes a calm, relaxed person or atmosphere. In a physical sense it also means to loosen a spring or a taut rope.

Examples

"Il faut se détendre après le travail."

Natural Translation

You need to relax after work.

Literal Translation

It is necessary to relax after the work.

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