gagner
/ɡa.ɲe/
The French phrase gagner means to win or to earn.
The word gagner means "to win" or "to earn."
Which one should you use?
While gagner can mean to win a game, it is specifically used for the act of obtaining a prize or profit, whereas vaincre is used for defeating an opponent in combat or competition.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡa.ɲe/
Did you know?
- The word gagner can be used figuratively to mean 'to reach' a destination, such as in the expression gagner son lit to mean 'to go to bed'.
- When describing a feeling that spreads across the body, such as panic, French uses gagner to say the emotion 'won' or took over the person.
- The etymological root of gagner comes from a Germanic Frankish word, meaning its history is tied to the tribes that settled in Gaul.
Examples in context
- Le joueur a remporté le tournoi.The player won the tournament.
- J'ai enfin gagné une partie d'échecs contre mon frère.I finally won a game of chess against my brother.
- Nous espérons gagner le match de football ce soir.We hope to win the football game tonight.
- Elle a remporté la compétition de danse grâce à sa grâce et son talent.She won the dance competition thanks to her grace and talent.
- Il a réussi à gagner sa vie en tant qu'écrivain.He managed to earn a living as a writer.
- gagner de l'argentTo earn money
- Il veut gagner ce match.He wants to win this match.
- Nous pouvons gagner ensemble.We can win together.
- Elle espère gagner le premier prix.She hopes to win the first prize.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are discussing a local tennis tournament.
- GabrielTu penses qu'elle peut gagner ?Do you think she can win?
- EmmaOui, elle est très forte.Yes, she is very strong.
- GabrielJ'espère qu'elle va gagner le tournoi.I hope she wins the tournament.
- EmmaMoi aussi, elle mérite de gagner.Me too, she deserves to win.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gagner, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gagner, CC BY-SA 4.0.
