détudier

Détudier is a French verb meaning to study something in depth, to analyze carefully, or to study systematically. It conveys a sense of thorough examination beyond a casual reading or learning, and is commonly used in academic, scholarly, or critical contexts. It can apply to a text, a problem, a dataset, a phenomenon, or any subject that benefits from careful analysis.

Etymology and nuance: Détudier is formed from the verb étudier with the prefix dé- (often written dét- before a vowel). The prefix adds emphasis on thoroughness or scrupulous examination. Étudier itself comes from Latin studēre, via Old French etudier, from studium meaning zeal or study. The prefixed form détudier thus underscores a more intensive, analytic approach than the plain étudier.

Usage: Détudier is appropriate when describing careful, in-depth work such as close reading, critical analysis, or exhaustive review. It is more specialized than étudier and is often found in academic writing, research, philosophy, or journalism. Examples: détudier un texte en détail, détudier les données pour en comprendre les causes, détudier les preuves avant de tirer une conclusion.

Conjugation: It follows the regular -er verb pattern, like étudier, with the prefix dét- affecting the stem in present-tense forms. The past participle is détudié. In practice, many speakers use détudier where a deeper, more methodical investigation is intended, while étudier remains suitable for general studying or learning.

See also: étudier, analyser, examiner, scruter.