conserver

/kɔ̃.sɛʁ.ve/
verbIntermediate
general

To keep something in good condition over time; to preserve.

Conservez ce document pour vos archives.

Preserve this document for your archives.

💡

Often used for food, documents, or natural resources.

general

To maintain or retain something, such as a job or relationship.

Elle a réussi à conserver son emploi malgré la crise.

She managed to keep her job despite the crisis.

💡

Can imply effort or difficulty in maintaining something.

general

To save or store something for future use.

Nous devons conserver de l'eau pour l'été.

We need to save water for the summer.

💡

Often used in the context of resources or energy.

Collocations

conserver la paixto preserve peaceconserver son calmeto keep one's coolconserver ses forcesto conserve one's strength

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

conserver ses distancesphrase
to keep one's distance
conserver une tracephrase
to leave a trace

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

'Conserver' is often used with food, documents, or abstract concepts like peace or traditions.

Gold Rule

Verb Conjugation

'Conserver' is a regular -er verb, so it follows standard conjugation patterns in French.

📖Word Origin

From Old French 'conserver', from Latin 'conservare', meaning 'to preserve' or 'to keep together'.

📝Usage Notes

Can be used both literally (e.g., preserving food) and figuratively (e.g., preserving traditions).

Word Breakdown

con-
with, together
prefix
+
-server
to keep, to preserve
root
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais