donner
/dɔ.ne/
The English verb 'give' is translated into French as donner. Wiktionary also lists bailler.
Meaning: transfer the possession of something to someone else (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| donner | /dɔ.ne/ | |
| bailler | /ba.je/ | obsolete |
The verb donner is used to express the action of transferring the possession of something to someone else.
Which one should you use?
While donner is the standard verb for the act of giving, the verb offrir is often used when the act is intended as a gift or a formal offering.
How does it change in a sentence?
donner is a regular -er verb in the first group. When you use this verb to say you are giving something to someone, you must use the preposition à before the indirect object (the person receiving the item).
How do you pronounce it?
/dɔ.ne/
Did you know?
- The phrase donner sa langue au chat literally means 'to give one's tongue to the cat' and is used when someone gives up on guessing a riddle.
- In French, the verb donner is used in the common expression donner sur, which means a window or door 'looks out over' or faces a certain direction.
- In certain formal or archaic settings, bailler is used to 'give' or 'deliver' documents, which is the origin of the word 'bailiff' in English.
Examples in context
- Je te le donnerai.I will give it to you.This sentence shows how to express a future intention to give something to someone using donner.Tatoeba #12413 by sacredceltic, translation #41923 by CK
- Me le donneras-tu ?Will you give it to me?This sentence is a way to ask if someone will give something to you using donner.Tatoeba #5197549 by sacredceltic, translation #3151145 by CK
- Je le lui donnerai.I'll give that to her.This sentence demonstrates how to express giving something to a third party using donner.Tatoeba #6591057 by GB3, translation #3905923 by CH
- Pouvez-vous me donner votre numéro de téléphone, s'il vous plaît ?Can you give me your phone number, please?
- Je voudrais vous offrir ce livre en signe de gratitude.I would like to give you this book as a token of gratitude.
- Peux-tu me donner un coup de main pour déménager ?Can you give me a hand with moving?
- 645 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are in a kitchen.
- EmmaPeux-tu me donner le sel, Gabriel ?Can you give me the salt, Gabriel?
- GabrielOui, tiens, le voilà.Yes, here you go.
- EmmaMerci beaucoup.Thank you very much.
- GabrielDe rien, Emma.You're welcome, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “give” translations and entries donner, bailler, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
