apprendre

The French Verb “Apprendre”

The verb apprendre means “to learn” or “to teach” in French. It is an irregular verb derived from prendre (“to take”), which influences its conjugation pattern.

Meanings of Apprendre

  1. To learn (knowledge or a skill)
    Apprendre is most commonly used when referring to acquiring knowledge or a skill.
    • J’apprends le français. (I am learning French.)
    • Il apprend à jouer du piano. (He is learning to play the piano.)
  2. To teach (similar to “enseigner”)
    In some cases, apprendre can also mean “to teach” when used with an indirect object.
    • Il m’a appris à conduire. (He taught me how to drive.)
    • J’ai appris à Marie à conduire. (I taught Marie how to drive.)
    • Nous leur apprenons les bases de la grammaire. (We are teaching them the basics of grammar.)
  3. To hear or find out (news or information)
    It can also mean “to hear” or “to find out” in the context of learning news.
    • J’ai appris sa réussite hier. (I found out about his success yesterday.)
    • Tu as appris la nouvelle ? (Did you hear the news?)

Conjugation of Apprendre

Present Tense

PersonConjugation
Jeapprends
Tuapprends
Il/Elle/Onapprend
Nousapprenons
Vousapprenez
Ils/Ellesapprennent

Passé Composé

Apprendre is conjugated with avoir in the passé composé.

PersonConjugation
J’ai appris
Tuas appris
Il/Elle/Ona appris
Nousavons appris
Vousavez appris
Ils/Ellesont appris

Etymology

The verb apprendre comes from the Latin apprehendere, meaning “to seize, to grasp.” It is based on prendre (“to take”), reflecting the idea of “taking in” knowledge.

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • h aspiré

    In French, there are two types of “h”: the h muet (mute h) and the h aspiré (aspirated h). Both are silent in pronunciation, but they behave differently in grammar. This distinction is important for correct French grammar and pronunciation and must be learned word by word. Words starting with an h aspiré come from…

  • entendre

    Understanding the French Verb “Entendre” The French verb entendre is a versatile verb with multiple meanings. While its primary meaning is “to hear,” entendre can also mean “to intend,” “to get on well,” or even “to agree (on),” depending on the context. 1. Meanings of Entendre First Meaning: To HearIn its most common usage, entendre…

  • prévenir vs prévoir

    Two French verbs that often cause confusion among learners are “prévoir” and “prévenir.” Despite their similar spellings, these verbs carry distinct meanings and are used in different contexts. “Prévoir” is a verb that translates to “to foresee” or “to predict” in English. It is used when someone anticipates or plans for something in the future….

  • Comparative adjectives (2.0)

    Understanding Comparative Adjectives in French When learning French, understanding how to compare people, places, or things is essential. Comparative adjectives allow you to express differences in qualities or characteristics. This article breaks down the basics of forming and using comparative adjectives in French, making it accessible for beginners. What are Comparative Adjectives? Comparative adjectives are…

  • verb: fondre

    The French verb “fondre” means “to melt,” along with a host of other meanings. It’s a useful verb to know if you’re heading into summer temperatures. “Fondre” can mean “to melt,” “to melt down,” “to thaw,” “to thaw out,” “to cast,” “to dissolve,” “to melt away,” “to waste away,” “to soften,” or when used reflexively,…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *