présenter
/pʁe.zɑ̃.te/
The French phrase for "introducing" is présenter.
présenter is used when making someone known to another person by telling them their name. When you want to introduce someone to a specific person, you use the structure présenter quelqu'un à quelqu'un.
Which one should you use?
To say "to introduce oneself," you must use the reflexive form se présenter instead of the standard verb.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb présenter is used with the preposition à to indicate the person being introduced to.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables: /pʁe.zɑ̃.te/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using introduire to mean introducing a person. In French, introduire usually means to insert or smuggle something into a place.
Did you know?
- In very formal French social circles, it is customary to introduce the person of lower social or professional status to the person of higher status.
- The verb présenter is the standard term used when showing an identification card or passport to a government official.
- In a professional job interview, the phrase se présenter is used not just to state your name, but to perform a structured pitch of your entire professional background and credentials.
Examples in context
- Commençons par nous présenter.Let's start by introducing ourselves.This sentence shows how to use présenter when talking about introducing oneself.Tatoeba #6677906 by GB3, translation #6676946 by CK
- Elle a organisé un goûter dans l'intention de présenter sa fille à ses amies.She gave a tea party with the intention of introducing her daughter to her friends.This sentence shows how to use présenter to describe the intention of introducing a daughter to friends.Tatoeba #1135700 by Scott, translation #317141 by CM
- Je vous présente Monsieur Dupont, notre directeur des ventes.I would like to introduce you to Mr. Dupont, our sales director.
- Permettez-moi de vous présenter Madame Martin, notre nouvelle collègue.Allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Martin, our new colleague.
- Je te présente mon ami Alexandre.I would like to introduce you to my friend Alexandre.
- Voici Sophie, ma sœur.Here is Sophie, my sister.
- Je vous présente monsieur Dupuis, le directeur de l'entreprise.I would like to introduce you to Mr. Dupuis, the company's director.
- Permettez-moi de vous présenter Madame Rousseau, notre chef de projet.Allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Rousseau, our project manager.
- Je te présente mon cousin Antoine.I would like to introduce you to my cousin Antoine.
- Voici Marie, ma meilleure amie.Here is Marie, my best friend.
- Je voudrais vous présenter mon collègue.I would like to introduce my colleague to you.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are at a social gathering.
- EmmaHugo, je veux te présenter ma sœur.Hugo, I want to introduce my sister to you.
- HugoEnchanté de faire ta connaissance !Nice to meet you!
- EmmaElle arrive justement pour nous rejoindre.She is just arriving to join us.
- HugoC'est super, bienvenue à elle.That's great, welcome to her.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry présenter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
