détends

Détends is the second-person singular present indicative form of the French verb détendre. The verb means to relax or loosen, and can refer to reducing physical muscle tension as well as easing emotional or mental stress. The reflexive form se détendre expresses the act of relaxing oneself. In everyday use, détends often appears in imperative or declarative sentences, such as telling someone to relax or describing a relaxation process.

Etymology and sense: détendre comes from the prefix de- plus tendre, historically linked to the idea of undoing tension or stretching. Over time it covers both loosening physical tightness and alleviating tension in a broader sense, including stress or worries.

Usage and examples: Common phrases include Tu détends les épaules (You loosen your shoulders), Détends-toi (Relax yourself), Il se détend après le travail (He relaxes after work), and Les muscles se détendent avec le massage (The muscles relax with massage). The word can also describe a figurative relief of stress, as in une pause qui détend l’atmosphère.

Grammatical notes: Conjugation in present indicative is je détends, tu détends, il détend, nous détendons, vous détendez, ils détendent. Imperative forms include Détends-toi (tu), Détendez-vous (vous). The past participle is détendu for masculine and détendue for feminine, used with être in the passé composé when reflexive: je me suis détendu/detendue.

Related terms: détente (relaxation or easing), détendu/détendue (relaxed), détendre les muscles (to loosen muscles), décompression (decompression). Détends shares semantic space with expressions promoting calm, ease, or relief in physical and mental domains.