What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive pronoun se (oneself) and the verb habituer (to accustom/habituate).
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the process and the state. Use s'habituer à to describe the process of becoming accustomed to something, whereas être habitué à describes the state of already being accustomed to it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition à must always follow the verb. When you are getting used to an action, use à followed by the infinitive form of the verb (s'habituer à + infinitif). When you are getting used to a thing or a person, use à followed by a noun (s'habituer à + nom).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use de after the verb. English speakers often mistakenly use s'habituer de because of the English 'used to' structure, but s'habituer always requires à.
Did you know?
- In French, s'habituer can be used to describe the physical process of 'breaking in' new shoes or a piece of clothing.
- The preposition à in this phrase is a linguistic merge of the Latin words 'ad' meaning 'toward' and 'ab' meaning 'away from'.
- Because it is a reflexive verb, s'habituer à literally translates to 'to accustom oneself to', which makes the person doing the adjusting the direct object of their own action.
Examples in context
- Il faudra un certain temps pour s'habituer à ça.It'll take some time to get used to this.This sentence uses s'habituer à to discuss the time needed to adjust to a certain situation.Tatoeba #4477478 by sicerabibax, translation #4012603 by CK
- Ça prendra un peu de temps pour s'habituer à vivre ici.It'll take some time to get used to living here.This sentence uses s'habituer à to show the process of adjusting to a new way of living.Tatoeba #1099907 by sacredceltic, translation #1096399 by CK
- Ça prendra un peu de temps pour s'habituer à porter une perruque.It'll take some time to get used to wearing a wig.This sentence uses s'habituer à to describe the process of becoming accustomed to wearing an object.Tatoeba #1099908 by sacredceltic, translation #1096398 by CK
- Je vais devoir m'habituer à mon nouvel emploi.I will have to get used to my new job.
- Nous devons nous habituer au climat ici.We need to get used to the climate here.
- Elle s'est rapidement familiarisée avec son nouveau groupe d'amis.She quickly got familiar with her new group of friends.
- Je me suis habitué à mon nouvel horaire.I got used to my new schedule.
- Tu t'habitueras vite à la vie en France.You will quickly get used to life in France.
- Il s'est fait rapidement à l'idée de partir en voyage seul.He quickly got used to the idea of traveling alone.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
