transmettre
/tʁɑ̃s.mɛtʁ/
To pass on in French is expressed by the verb transmettre.
Meaning: to skip or decline (verb)
Which one should you use?
While passer generally means to move past something or to pass a physical object, transmettre is the correct choice when the intention is to transfer information, a message or a legacy.
How does it change in a sentence?
Transmettre is a regular -re verb. The past participle of this verb is transmis.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /tʁɑ̃s.mɛtʁ/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use passer to mean passing on information. Use transmettre instead to ensure you are conveying the transfer of knowledge or a message.
Did you know?
- In French, the concept of passing on a legacy or a family trait is often expressed using transmettre, but for passing on a disease, the verb transmettre is used as well.
- The core of the word is mettre, which means 'to put', meaning the literal sense of the verb is 'to put across' or 'to put through'.
- In a scientific or technical context, French speakers use transmettre to describe how light or signals are passed on through a medium.
Examples in context
- Ils furent incapables de transmettre cette tradition à la génération suivante.They weren't able to pass on that tradition unto the next generation.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use transmettre regarding the passing of traditions.Tatoeba #1012977 by sacredceltic, translation #1008909 by AOCinJAPAN
- Que dois-je lui transmettre ?What do I have to pass on to her?This sentence shows how to use transmettre when asking what information needs to be passed on.Tatoeba #14059677 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #14059678 by Ioan_Cristian
- En effet, il est plus beau d’éclairer que de briller seulement ; de même est-il plus beau de transmettre aux autres ce qu’on a contemplé que de contempler seulement.Just as it is better to illuminate than merely to shine, so to pass on what one has contemplated is better than merely to contemplate.This sentence illustrates the use of transmettre in a more philosophical context regarding sharing what one has learned.Tatoeba #827210 by Scott, translation #827211 by Scott
- J'ai le plaisir de vous transmettre les informations demandées.I'm pleased to pass on the requested information to you.
- Pouvez-vous transmettre ce message à Monsieur Dupont, s'il vous plaît?Can you pass on this message to Mr. Dupont, please?
- Merci de faire passer cette note à toute l'équipe.Thank you for passing on this note to the entire team.
- Tu peux passer le message à Julie? Je ne peux pas la joindre.Can you pass on the message to Julie? I can't reach her.
- Pourriez-vous transmettre mes remerciements à votre équipe, s'il vous plaît?Could you pass on my thanks to your team, please?
- Je t'en prie, fais passer le mot à nos amis pour le déjeuner de dimanche.Please, pass the word to our friends about Sunday lunch.
- Je vous serais reconnaissant de transmettre ma candidature au responsable des ressources humaines.I would be grateful if you could pass on my application to the HR manager.
- Pouvez-vous faire passer cette information à votre équipe?Can you pass on this information to your team?
- Merci de faire passer ce document à tous les participants de la réunion.Thank you for passing on this document to all meeting participants.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are deciding which appetizer to order.
- NathanOn prend des calamars ?Should we get some calamari?
- ChloéJe vais transmettre pour cette fois.I'll pass on that this time.
- NathanTu n'en veux vraiment pas ?You really don't want any?
- ChloéNon, je préfère les crevettes.No, I prefer the shrimp.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry transmettre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
