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préserver

to preserve, to protect

verb preh-zehr-VEH Less Common

Usage Note

Préserver often appears in environmental and legal contexts — préserver l'environnement (to protect the environment) is a common fixed phrase. The related noun is la préservation. Note that a préservatif is a condom, not a food preservative (which is un conservateur) — a false friend to watch.

Examples

"Nous devons préserver cette forêt ancienne."

Natural Translation

We must preserve this ancient forest.

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