abandonner
/a.bɑ̃.dɔ.ne/
The English phrase "give up" can be translated into French as abandonner.
The verb abandonner means to stop, quit or desist from an action or a goal.
Meaning: stop, quit, desist (verb)
Which one should you use?
While abandonner is the standard term, you can use the idiom Jeter l'éponge to mean "to throw in the towel" when expressing the idea of giving up. For a more casual way to say you are letting go of a matter, you can use Lâcher or Lâcher l'affaire.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.bɑ̃.dɔ.ne/
Did you know?
- The word abandonner originally referred to the act of handing someone over to banishment.
- French uses the verb laisser tomber literally as 'to let fall' to mean 'to give up on a project' or 'to stop seeing a romantic partner'.
- When you use the idiom Jeter l'éponge, you are literally saying 'to throw the sponge'.
Examples in context
- On ne va pas abandonner.We're not going to give up.This sentence is useful for expressing a collective determination not to give up using abandonner.Tatoeba #11700363 by Aiji, translation #5512797 by CK
- Je ne veux pas abandonner.I don't want to give up.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal refusal to give up using abandonner.Tatoeba #1140351 by sacredceltic, translation #1140180 by CK
- Tom a décidé d'abandonner.Tom decided to give up.This sentence is useful for describing someone's decision to give up using abandonner.Tatoeba #5802909 by Toynop, translation #2956399 by CK
- Je dois abandonner ce projet.I have to give up on this project.
- Il a abandonné l'idée de devenir médecin.He gave up the idea of becoming a doctor.
- N'abandonnez jamais vos rêves.Never give up on your dreams.
- Je vais renoncer à cette proposition.I am going to give up on this proposal.
- Elle a renoncé à poursuivre sa carrière musicale.She gave up on pursuing her music career.
- Lâche l'affaire, ça ne vaut pas le coup.Give up on it, it's not worth it.
- Il a jeté l'éponge après avoir perdu le match.He gave up after losing the game.
- L'équipe a finalement jeté l'éponge et abandonné la course.The team eventually gave up and quit the race.
- 89 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing a difficult marathon training.
- NathanC'est trop difficile, je veux abandonner.It's too difficult, I want to give up.
- LéaN'abandonne pas, Nathan, tu es presque arrivé !Don't give up, Nathan, you are almost there!
- NathanMais je n'en peux plus.But I can't take it anymore.
- LéaPense à ta victoire, ne lâche rien.Think about your victory, don't let go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “give up” translations and entries abandonner, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abandonner, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
