masturber

to masturbate

verb mas-tür-BEH Rare

Origin: Latin masturbari, of uncertain origin (possibly manus (hand) + stuprare (to defile))

Usage Note

Masturber is the clinical/standard term; the reflexive se masturber is the normal construction. In colloquial speech the verb se branler is far more commonly heard. Masturber appears in medical, educational, and formal contexts without taboo.

Examples

"L'adolescent apprend à se masturber sans honte."

Natural Translation

The teenager learns to masturbate without shame.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Sorry in French: Désolé vs Pardon vs Excusez-moi

Use désolé for genuine regret, pardon to bump or squeeze past, and excusez-moi to get attention. A situation-by-situation guide to saying sorry in French.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Avoir or Être? Picking the Right Past-Tense Helper

Use avoir for the passé composé unless the verb is reflexive or one of ~16 DR MRS VANDERTRAMP motion verbs, which take être and force agreement.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Passé Composé vs Imparfait: When to Use Each

Passé composé tells the story; imparfait paints the scene. Use this 2-second flowchart, trigger words, and paired examples to pick the right French tense.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Object Pronouns: le, la, lui, leur Order

Le lui or lui le? Use the à-name test to pick le/la vs lui/leur, then one slot chart to order two French object pronouns — plus the command exception.

June 4, 2026 6 min read