sétablissent

Sétablissent is a form of the French pronominal verb s étab l ir, meaning to settle, establish oneself, or take up residence and position. The form is the third-person plural present tense used with ils or elles. In subordinate clauses introduced by que, the same spelling also represents the third-person plural present subjunctive (qu'ils s'établissent), though in everyday usage the indicative reading is most common.

Etymology and form: s'établir comes from the non-reflexive verb établir with a reflexive pronoun. The verb establishment ultimately traces to Latin stabilire, via Old French establir. The reflexive construction emphasizes the subject’s action upon itself—settling in a place, or establishing one’s status, life, or business.

Usage: s'établissent typically describes groups or individuals gaining permanent footing—immigrants who settle in a city, a company that establishes itself in a region, or artists who settle into a local scene. It conveys a sense of permanence and integration rather than temporary residence. The expression appears in narrative, journalistic, and historical contexts to mark the moment when inhabitants or entities become established in a community or market.

Conjugation notes: As a pronominal verb in the present tense, the form s'établissent pairs with ils/elles. Related forms include je m'établis, tu t'établis, il s'établit, nous nous établissons, vous vous établissez, and ils s'établissent. The same spelling appears in the present subjunctive: qu'ils s'établissent, depending on syntax and mood.