The verb gagner is a regular -er verb in French. Its core meanings include to win, to earn, to gain, or to save time or distance. It is commonly used in a variety of contexts, both literal and figurative. Its conjugation follows standard -er patterns.

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Common meanings and uses

1. To win (a competition, game, or prize)

This is one of the most frequent uses of gagner. The subject is the winner of something.

• Il a gagné le match.
  He won the match.
• Nous avons gagné la coupe du monde.
  We won the World Cup.
• Il espère gagner le gros lot.
  He hopes to win the jackpot.
• Qui a gagné ?
  Who won?

2. To earn (money or a living)

Used with amounts or general references to income.

• Je gagne 2 000 euros par mois.
  I earn 2,000 euros a month.
• Il gagne bien sa vie.
  He earns a good living.
• Combien tu gagnes ?
  How much do you earn?
• Ils gagnent leur vie honnêtement.
  They earn their living honestly.

3. To gain (advantage, value, importance)

In this sense, gagner means to acquire something abstract, like time, influence, respect, or confidence.

• Il a gagné en confiance.
  He gained confidence.
• Il a gagné le respect de ses collègues.
  He gained the respect of his colleagues.
• Ce projet a gagné en importance.
  This project has gained in importance.
• Tu as tout à y gagner.
  You have everything to gain from it.

4. To save (time or distance)

Used with du temps, des kilomètres, or de l’avance to indicate efficiency or advantage.

• On a gagné du temps en prenant l’autoroute.
  We saved time by taking the motorway.
• Ce raccourci permet de gagner cinq kilomètres.
  This shortcut saves five kilometres.
• Le train a gagné dix minutes sur le trajet.
  The train made up ten minutes on the journey.

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Reflexive and passive forms

Reflexive: se gagner

Used when something is earned through effort, often metaphorical.

• Le respect se gagne avec le temps.
  Respect is earned over time.
• La confiance se gagne difficilement et se perd facilement.
  Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose.

Passive voice with être gagné

Used to show that something has been won or gained by someone.

• Le match a été gagné par l’équipe locale.
  The match was won by the local team.

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Figurative or idiomatic uses

• Gagner du terrain
  To gain ground (literal or figurative)
  • Le feu gagne du terrain.
    The fire is spreading.
  • L’idée gagne du terrain.
    The idea is catching on.
• Gagner sur tous les plans
  To win on all fronts
  • Il a gagné sur tous les plans : carrière, famille, santé.
    He won on all fronts: career, family, health.
• Faire coup double / faire d’une pierre deux coups
  Often paraphrased using gagner deux choses à la fois
  • Il a gagné un ami et un partenaire commercial.
    He gained a friend and a business partner.

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Summary

• Gagner means to win, to earn, to gain, or to save, depending on the context.
• It is commonly used with competitions, income, respect, time, and distance.
• Reflexive and passive forms are frequent in formal and written French.
• Idiomatic expressions using gagner are often metaphorical and context-dependent.