How do you translate the English verb “to grow” into French? There is not a single French verb that covers all the different meanings of “to grow,” so you need to select the appropriate verb from the following list of verbs.

cultiver (cultivate, grow)

• Ils cultivent des légumes dans leur jardin. They grow vegetables in their garden.
• Elle cultive des roses dans sa serre. She grows roses in her greenhouse.

grandir (grow up, grow)

• Qu’est-ce que tu as grandi! Haven’t you grown!
• Il a grandi de 10cm. He has grown (taller) by 10cm

pousser (push, grow)

• La plante a poussé de 5cm. The plant has grown by 5cm
• Elle laisse pousser ses cheveux. She is letting her hair grow

augmenter (increase, grow)

• la criminalité augmente. Crime is growing
• la valeur de l’appartement augmente. The apartment is growing in value

devenir (become, grow)

• La ville devient plus sophistiquée. The town is growing more sophisticated

vieillir (grow old)

• Je vieillis. I am getting older

apprécier (to appreciate)

• Je commençais à apprécier la musique. The music was starting to grow on me

prospérer (to prosper, grow)

• Grâce à une bonne gestion, l’entreprise a prospéré au fil des années. Thanks to good management, the company has grown over the years.