profiter

Profiter is a French verb meaning to profit, to benefit from, or to take advantage of. It is used with de to indicate what is benefited from or enjoyed, as in profiter de quelque chose (to benefit from something) or profiter de l'occasion (to take advantage of the opportunity). It can also mean to enjoy or to make the most of a situation. In a negative sense, profiter de quelqu'un means to take advantage of someone.

Conjugation (present indicative): je profite, tu profites, il profite, nous profitons, vous profitez, ils profitent. Other common forms include: passé composé j'ai profité; imparfait je profitais; futur je profiterai; conditionnel je profiterais; subjonctif présent que je profite; impératif profite, profitons, profitez.

Etymology and related noun: The verb originates in Old French profiter, related to the noun profit, reflecting the idea of gain or benefit. The agent noun is profiteUR (profiteur) or profiteuse (fem.).

English equivalents and usage: In neutral contexts it translates as "to benefit from" or "to make the most of"; in negative contexts as "to take advantage of" or "to exploit." Examples: "Elle profite de ses vacances" (she makes the most of her vacation); "Il profite de la situation pour vendre des produits" (he takes advantage of the situation to sell). The term distinguishes nuance based on context, with "profiteur" (profiteur) or "profiteuse" for the person who exploits others.