débute

Débute is a French verb meaning "to begin" or "to start." It is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing to indicate the commencement of an action, event, or period. The verb conjugates in a regular manner, following the typical patterns of -er verbs in French. For instance, in the present tense, "je débute" means "I begin," "tu débutes" means "you begin" (informal singular), "il/elle/on débute" means "he/she/one begins," "nous débutons" means "we begin," "vous débutez" means "you begin" (formal singular or plural), and "ils/elles débutent" means "they begin."

The verb débute can also be used in its infinitive form or in other tenses. For example, "Il a débuté sa carrière dans le journalisme" translates to "He began his career in journalism." In a sentence like "La réunion débutera à 10 heures," the future tense is used, meaning "The meeting will begin at 10 o'clock." The past participle, "débuté," is used in compound tenses, such as "Elle a débuté le projet hier" (She started the project yesterday).

Beyond its literal meaning of starting, débute can also imply an initial stage or a learning phase. For instance, a beginner in a skill or activity might be described as "un débutant" (masculine) or "une débutante" (feminine). This usage highlights the sense of being new to something. The word itself derives from the Old French "debuter," which carried similar meanings related to the start of a journey or a game.