Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| réussir | /ʁe.y.siʁ/ |
| avoir du succès |
The term is used to describe obtaining a desired object, accomplishing an intended action or having a prosperous outcome. You use réussir when you are talking about the successful completion of a specific task or action.
Which one should you use?
While réussir is used for completing a task, the phrase avoir du succès is used to describe being successful in terms of popularity or fame, such as a book or a movie being successful.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say you succeed in doing something, you must use the preposition à before the infinitive verb: réussir à.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁe.y.siʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use réussir to mean 'to succeed someone' (as in following someone in a position or title). Instead, use succéder à when referring to inheriting a position.
Did you know?
- The word réussir is not originally French but was borrowed from the Italian word riuscita, which meant 'result' or 'outcome'.
- The English word 'aver', meaning to state something firmly, is actually a distant relative of the French verb avoir.
Examples in context
- Il ne réussira pas.He won't succeed.This sentence demonstrates the negative form of réussir.Tatoeba #12260094 by Bernie75, translation #12260595 by Miktsoanit
- Il nous faut réussir.We must succeed.This sentence shows the necessity of success using réussir.Tatoeba #4777535 by sacredceltic, translation #2241408 by CK
- Vous méritez de réussir.You deserve to succeed.This sentence expresses merit regarding success using réussir.Tatoeba #482205 by sacredceltic, translation #17579 by CM
- Elle a réussi son examen.She succeeded in her exam.
- Il a réussi dans la vie.He succeeded in life.
- Il a obtenu du succès dans son entreprise.He succeeded in his business.
- Il a finalement réussi à parvenir au sommet de la montagne.He finally succeeded in reaching the top of the mountain.
- L'équipe a triomphé lors du tournoi.The team succeeded/triumphed in the tournament.
- Il a cartonné à son spectacle hier soir!He was a huge success at his show last night!
- Le nouveau produit a fait un tabac auprès des consommateurs.The new product was a huge hit with consumers.
- J'ai enfin réalisé mon rêve de voyager autour du monde.I finally succeeded in realizing my dream of traveling around the world.
- 147 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a difficult professional project.
- HugoTu penses que nous allons réussir ?Do you think we are going to succeed?
- EmmaOui, je suis sûre que tu vas réussir.Yes, I am sure that you will succeed.
- HugoJ'espère vraiment réussir ce projet.I really hope to succeed in this project.
- EmmaTu es très compétent, tu vas réussir.You are very competent, you will succeed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “succeed” translations and entries réussir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avoir, du, réussir, succès, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
