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gouverner

to govern, to rule

verb goo-vair-NEH Rare

Also means

to steer, to control

Usage Note

Gouverner is used for governing a country and also figuratively for controlling or steering (gouverner un navire — to steer a ship). The related noun gouvernement (government) and gouverneur (governor) share the root. The phrase gouverner ses passions means 'to master one's passions', a literary usage.

Examples

"Il est difficile de gouverner un pays divisé."

Natural Translation

It is difficult to govern a divided country.

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