aspirer

Aspirer is a French verb with several related meanings centered on drawing something into the body or into a device, and on pursuing a goal. In its literal sense, it means to inhale or draw in air or other substances: aspirer de l'air frais (to inhale fresh air); aspirer la fumée (to inhale smoke); or aspirer un liquide, often by suction, in medical or technical contexts. In its figurative sense, aspirer means to long for or to strive toward something, typically with the construction aspirer à + infinitive, as in aspirer à une carrière internationale.

The word derives from Latin aspirare, from spirare “to breathe,” and entered French with senses tied to breathing and drawing in substances. It is related to inspirer, a cognate verb that also concerns breath but expresses causing inspiration or evoking emotion rather than the act of drawing in.

Aspirer is a regular -er verb and follows standard conjugation patterns: j'aspire, tu inspires, il/elle aspire; nous aspirons, vous aspirez, ils aspirent. In compound tenses: j'ai aspiré; imperfect: j'aspirais; future: j'aspirerai; subjunctive: que j'aspire; imperative: aspire, aspirons, aspirez. The noun l'aspiration denotes the act of inhaling or suction, or the act of striving toward a goal. In medical or industrial contexts, aspiration can refer to suction performed by a device.

See also: Aspiration as a general concept of ambition; related terms such as inhalation, respiration; the English cognates aspire (to seek ambitiously) and aspiration (the act or goal).