J'essayai (en. I tried)

/ʒe sɛ.jɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

To attempt to achieve or reach something.

I tried to solve the problem but without success.

J'essayai de résoudre le problème mais sans succès.

To put something to the test.

I tried that new dessert I found in a cookbook.

J'essayai ce nouveau dessert que j'ai trouvé dans un livre de cuisine.

To make an attempt.

I tried to understand this difficult concept.

J'essayai de comprendre ce concept difficile.

The verb 'to try' comes from the old French 'essai', derived from the Latin 'exagium' meaning 'the action of weighing'.

to try to

to attempt to do something

essayer de

to try a new look

to adopt a different style of clothing

essayer un nouveau look

to try to convince

to try to persuade

essayer de convaincre

to try

to attempt to do something

essayer

attempt

an attempt or a trial

essai

attempt

the action of attempting something

tentative

To attempt without any real seriousness

I just tried to go out with her, but it wasn't serious.

J'ai juste essayé de sortir avec elle, mais ce n'était pas sérieux.

To make a quick trial

I quickly tried out the new app.

J'ai essayé vite fait la nouvelle application.