sucer

Sucer is a French verb meaning to draw liquid into the mouth by suction, to lick, or to suck on something such as a candy or a straw. It can be used in literal contexts (sucking a candy, sipping through a straw) and, less commonly, in figurative phrases related to drawing out or extracting something. In modern usage, it may also appear in vulgar slang to refer to performing oral sex.

Etymology and related forms: Sucer derives from Latin succus meaning juice or sap, passing into Old French and then into contemporary French. As a regular -er verb, it follows standard endings with a small spelling adjustment in the nous form to preserve the usual soft s sound: nous sucçons.

Conjugation and examples: Sucer is conjugated as a normal -er verb. Present tense: je suce, tu suces, il suce, nous sucçons, vous sucez, ils sucent. Passé composé uses avoir: j'ai sucé; imperfect: je suçais; future: je sucerai. The past participle is sucé, with agreement determined by the preceding direct object when using avoir.

Usage notes: Common phrases include je suis en train de sucer un bonbon (I am sucking a candy) and elle sème les os? Not typical. The verb is primarily used with objects that can be sucked, such as bonbons, sucettes, or pailles. In slang, sucer can refer to sexual activity and is considered vulgar in many contexts, so its use should be aware of social and formal considerations.

See also: sucette (lollipop), succion (suction), ventouse (suction cup).