ménager

Ménager is a French verb with several related senses. In its core meaning, it denotes managing resources or situations with care, or acting in a way that preserves or optimizes them. It can also mean to spare someone or something, or to use something without excessive strain. The reflexive form se ménager means to pace oneself or to protect one’s health by avoiding excessive effort.

Etymology: The verb derives from the noun ménage meaning household, reflecting the historical sense of managing a household and its resources. Over time, the meaning broadened to cover prudent handling of situations and the idea of sparing or conserving energy or materials.

Usage: Transitive uses include ménager ses ressources (to manage resources prudently), ménager ses forces (to conserve one’s energy), and ne pas ménager ses efforts (to spare no effort). The reflexive se ménager means to pace oneself, to avoid overexerting, or to protect one’s health. Common collocations include tâches ménagères (household chores), appareils ménagers (household appliances), and produits ménagers (household products).

Variants and notes: The feminine form ménagère appears in adjectives and nouns: une ménagère can mean a housekeeper, though femme de ménage is more common for a paid cleaner. The noun ménage refers to a household; ménagement is a related noun denoting careful handling or arrangement. The term is widely used in standard French in both spoken and written contexts.