rejoindre

Rejoindre is a French verb with several related senses centered on linking or meeting. It most commonly means to join or to become part of a group or organization (rejoindre une association, rejoindre un groupe). It can also mean to meet up with someone or to catch up with them, as in “rejoindre ses amis” or “rejoindre quelqu’un à la gare.” In the sense of movement, it can express arriving at the same place as someone else: “Ils ont rejoint le cortège.” The pronominal form se joindre/rejoindre, as in “se joindre à quelqu’un” or “nous nous sommes rejoints,” means to come together or to meet up with each other. An established expression is “rejoindre les rangs,” meaning to join the ranks or to align with a cause or group.

Etymology and form: rejoinder derives from the Old French joindre (to join) with the prefix re- meaning again or back. The root traces to Latin iungere. The past participle is rejoint, and the verb generally conjugates like a regular -re verb. In non-reflexive uses, the passé composé typically takes avoir: j’ai rejoint le groupe. In reflexive or reciprocal uses, the auxiliary is être: nous nous sommes rejoints, and the participle agrees with the subject in number and gender.

Conjugation notes and usage: Present tense forms include je rejoins, tu rejoins, il rejoint, nous rejoignons, vous rejoignez, ils rejoignent. The past tense forms use joined conjugations: j’ai rejoint; nous avons rejoint; il a rejoint. Subjunctive, imperfect, and future follow standard -re verb patterns: que je rejoigne, que tu rejoignes, qu’il rejoigne; rejoignais, rejoindrai, rejoindrais, etc.

Examples: Elle a rejoint son équipe hier. Nous allons rejoindre les autres au musée. Ils se sont rejoints à la porte.