Usage Note
Débattre is conjugated like battre: present je débats, il débat, past participle débattu. It is typically used with de (débattre d'un sujet) or reflexively (se débattre), where the reflexive means 'to struggle' or 'to wrestle' with something, either physically or figuratively. The noun débat (debate) is among the most common words in French political vocabulary.
Examples
"Ils débattent de la réforme depuis des heures."
Natural Translation
They have been debating the reform for hours.
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