| | |

verb: s’attendre à

ByFast French

The French verb “s’attendre à” means “to expect” or “to anticipate.”

“S’attendre à” vs. “Attendre”

The primary difference between “s’attendre à” and “attendre” is that “s’attendre à” is reflexive (or “pronominal” as we say in French) and “attendre” is not. While “attendre” means “to wait for” or “to await,” “s’attendre à” means “to expect” or “to anticipate.”

Conjugation of “S’attendre à”

Present Tense:

  • Je m’attends à
  • Tu t’attends à
  • Il/elle/on s’attend à
  • Nous nous attendons à
  • Vous vous attendez à
  • Ils/elles s’attendent à

Example (Present Tense):

  • Je m’attends à une réponse.
    (I expect an answer.)

Passé Composé:

  • Je me suis attendu à
  • Tu t’es attendu à
  • Il/elle/on s’est attendu à
  • Nous nous sommes attendus à
  • Vous vous êtes attendus à
  • Ils/elles se sont attendus à

Example (Passé Composé):

  • Je me suis attendu à cette rencontre toute la semaine.
    (I anticipated this meeting all week.)

Usage of “S’attendre à”

  • Anticipating an event: Je m’attends à une belle soirée.
    (I’m expecting a lovely evening.)
  • Preparing for an outcome: Nous nous attendons à des changements dans l’entreprise.
    (We are expecting changes in the company.)
  • Expressing surprise: Il ne s’attendait pas à cette réaction.
    (He didn’t expect this reaction.)

Using the Pronoun “Y” with “S’attendre à”

The pronoun “y” is often used with “s’attendre à” when you want to refer to “it,” rather than naming the person, thing or situation that is expected. “Y” replaces the preposition “à” and helps avoid repetition. For example:

  • J’y m’attends.
    (I’m expecting it.)
  • Ils s’attendent à un miracle, mais je n’y crois pas.
    (They’re expecting a miracle, but I don’t believe in it.)

Etymology of “Attendre”

The verb “attendre” comes from the Latin word “attendere,” which means “to stretch toward” or “to wait for.” Over time, it evolved into the French word “attendre,” meaning to wait or to expect.

Idiomatic Expressions with “S’attendre à”

  • S’attendre au pire
    (Expect the worst)
  • S’attendre à tout
    (Expect anything)
  • S’attendre à ce que
    (Expect that)

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • le pouvoir

    ByFast French

    The French masculine noun “le pouvoir” translates to “power” or “authority” in English. It comes from the French verb “pouvoir,” meaning “to be able,” or “can.” “Le pouvoir” has its roots in the Latin word “potere,” which means “to be able” or “to have the right.” This Latin term evolved into the Old French “povoir” before…

  • | |

    Devant

    ByFast French

    The French word “devant” can be used as a preposition, as an adverb, or as a noun. Preposition As a preposition, “devant” means “in front of,” “ahead of” or “before.” Adverb As an adverb, “devant” means “in front,” “at the front,” or “ahead.” Noun As a masculine noun, “le devant” means “the front.”

  • Thing

    ByFast French

    In French, there are several words used to refer to “thing.” Each has its nuances and specific contexts where it’s most appropriate. Here’s a guide to the different French words for “thing.” Chose The most common word for “thing” is une chose. It is used broadly and can refer to just about any object or…

  • could

    ByFast French

    The English word “could” expresses several distinct ideas, including past ability, successful past opportunity, present or future possibility, polite suggestion, permission, hypothesis, and unreal past events. French does not have a single equivalent. Translation depends on function and context, most commonly using forms of pouvoir, the conditional mood, or other structures. Past ability in general…

  • Grammar: Verb Negation

    ByFast French

    Negation is a key element of French grammar, typically formed with ne (or n’ before a vowel) and a second negative word. In everyday speech, ne is often dropped, making the second word the sole marker of negation. 1. Ne…pas (Not) The most basic negation, used to negate verbs. Standard Form: Informal (Without ne): 2….