détendons

Détendons is the first-person plural present indicative form of the French verb détendre, meaning to loosen, relax, or ease tension. Used with the subject nous, it translates as “we relax” or, in contexts inviting action, as part of the phrase “détendons-nous,” meaning “let us relax.” The form détendons also appears in sentences describing the act of relaxing something or someone, for example “Nous détendons les muscles après l’effort.”

Etymology and sense: détendre comes from dé- plus tendre, with tendre meaning “to stretch.” The prefix dé- conveys a sense of undoing or releasing, giving détendre the meaning “to loosen or relax.” The related noun détente refers to a state of eased tension or, in political terms, a relaxation of adversarial posture. The broad sense of détendre covers physical relaxation (muscles, posture) and figurative relief from stress or strain.

Usage: In everyday French, détendre is used for both physical and figurative relaxation. Examples include “Nous détendons les épaules après le travail” (We relax our shoulders after work) and “Détendons-nous un peu,” a common invitation to slow down and unwind. The reflexive form détendons-nous is often preferred when the speaker includes others in the action of relaxing.

Conjugation and related forms: Détendre is a regular -re verb; the present tense forms are je détends, tu détends, il détend, nous détendons, vous détendez, ils détendent. The past participle is détendu. The related noun détente denotes the state or process of relaxation.

See also: détendue, détente, détendre, relaxation.