1. "To try" or "to attempt":
* This meaning is most common when used as a verb, like "j'essaie de parler français" (I am trying to speak French).
* This sense is similar to the English word "to try," but it can also imply a more deliberate effort or a test.
2. "Essay" (as a noun):
* "Essai" can also be a noun, meaning "essay" in the sense of a literary composition, often on a specific topic.
* This meaning is similar to the English word "essay."
3. "Test" or "experiment" (in scientific context):
* "Essai" can sometimes refer to a scientific test or experiment, like "un essai clinique" (a clinical trial).
4. "Trial" (in legal context):
* In legal contexts, "essai" can mean "trial," as in "un essai au tribunal" (a trial in court).
Therefore, the exact meaning of "essai" depends on the context in which it is used. To understand its meaning, you need to consider the surrounding words and the overall sentence.