Intensif

Intensif is a French adjective meaning "intense" or "high in intensity." It is used to describe actions, efforts, programs, or processes that involve a high level of energy, focus, or frequency. In everyday usage, it often connotes a concentrated, demanding, or accelerated nature of the activity, as in an intensive course or an intensive care program. The term typically modifies nouns and agrees in gender and number.

The masculine singular form is intensif, the feminine singular is intensive, the masculine plural is intensifs, and the feminine plural is intensives. Examples include un effort intensif, une formation intensive, des cours intensifs, or des formations intensives. The adjective is common in education, industry, media, and public discourse to signal higher intensity, greater commitment, or a shorter, more rigorous time frame than usual.

Etymologically, intensif derives from Latin intensus through Old French, with the suffix -if forming adjectives that indicate a tendency, quality, or degree. It shares cognates with related terms in other Romance languages, though its specific usage and nuances are distinct in French. In translation, intensif is often rendered as "intensive" in English, though contextual differences can affect word choice, particularly regarding duration, rigor, and focus. In summary, intensif functions as a versatile term to label heightened effort or concentration in French discourse.