Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| apprendre | /a.pʁɑ̃dʁ/ |
| étudier | /e.ty.dje/ |
The standard way to say 'to learn' in French is apprendre. This verb is used when the focus is on the acquisition of a skill or knowledge. In certain contexts, apprendre can also mean 'to find out' or 'to be informed of' something.
What does it mean word for word?
apprendre can mean 'to learn' or 'to inform'.
Which one should you use?
Use apprendre when the focus is on the acquisition of a skill or knowledge, whereas étudier is used when the focus is on the act of studying or academic research. Other ways to express learning include acquérir des connaissances (to acquire knowledge), découvrir (to discover) and s'instruire (to educate oneself or to learn).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using apprendre with a direct object, such as a noun representing a subject or piece of information, no preposition is used between the verb and the object. However, when apprendre is followed by an infinitive verb to indicate learning a skill, it must be preceded by the preposition à.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.pʁɑ̃dʁ/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, apprendre can be used as a transitive verb where the subject is the teacher, meaning 'to make someone learn'.
- In French, the phrase apprendre par cœur literally means 'to learn by heart', but it is used more frequently and strictly for rote memorization than the English equivalent.
- The verb apprendre is actually a linguistic cousin to the English word 'apprehend'. While 'apprehend' usually means to arrest someone, in French, they share a root that means 'to seize' or 'to grasp' information.
Examples in context
- Que veux-tu apprendre ?What do you want to learn?This sentence is useful for asking what someone wants to learn using apprendre.Tatoeba #2222186 by sacredceltic, translation #2220939 by CK
- Il veut apprendre à nager.He wants to learn to swim.This sentence shows how to use apprendre with the preposition à to indicate learning a skill.Tatoeba #1919282 by sacredceltic, translation #1918320 by Spamster
- J'ai beaucoup à apprendre.I have a lot to learn.This sentence demonstrates using apprendre to express having a lot to learn.Tatoeba #2433513 by sacredceltic, translation #2060035 by CK
- Je veux apprendre le français.I want to learn French.
- Nous devons acquérir des connaissances pour progresser.We need to acquire knowledge in order to make progress.
- Elle veut découvrir la cuisine française.She wants to learn about French cuisine.
- Je vais me mettre à la danse.I'm going to learn to dance.
- Il aime s'instruire en lisant des livres.He enjoys learning by reading books.
- Je vais apprendre à jouer de la guitare.I am going to learn to play the guitar.
- 744 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are discussing a new hobby at a cafe.
- ManonHugo, tu veux apprendre la danse ?Hugo, do you want to learn dancing?
- HugoOui, j'aimerais apprendre cette année.Yes, I would like to learn this year.
- ManonC'est une excellente idée pour toi.That is an excellent idea for you.
- HugoMerci, Manon, je vais m'inscrire.Thanks, Manon, I am going to sign up.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “learn” translations and entries apprendre, étudier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apprendre, étudier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
