agir
/a.ʒiʁ/
The English phrase 'take action' is translated into French as agir.
Agir means to act, especially decisively. While 'agir' means to take action or to behave, it is distinct from faire (to do), which focuses on the performance of a specific task rather than the concept of taking initiative.
Meaning: to act, especially decisively (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
Agir is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. To express taking action upon or affecting something, use the construction agir sur.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.ʒiʁ/
Did you know?
- The word agir is the root of the English word 'agent', as both stem from the Latin 'agere', meaning to drive or to do.
- In French, you can use agir to describe a chemical or medicinal effect, as in agir sur le cœur, meaning to act upon the heart.
- In French legal contexts, agir is used to describe the act of bringing a lawsuit or initiating legal proceedings against someone.
Examples in context
- Il est temps pour nous d'agir.It's time for us to take action.This sentence shows how to use agir to express that it is time to take action.Tatoeba #12467425 by lbdx, translation #9001159 by CK
- Au niveau local, il est nécessaire d'agir.At a grassroots level, it is mandatory to take action.This sentence demonstrates the necessity of using agir at a grassroots or local level.Tatoeba #1945532 by Sbgodin, translation #1945535 by Sbgodin
- Notre pays doit agir contre le changement climatique.Our country must take action against climate change.This sentence illustrates how to use agir in the context of taking action against climate change.Tatoeba #11968406 by lbdx, translation #4660482 by Hybrid
- Le gouvernement doit prendre des mesures pour résoudre ce problèmeThe government has to take action to solve this issue
- Nous devons agir rapidementWe need to take action quickly
- Il est temps de passer à l'actionIt is time to take action
- Nous devons entreprendre des actions concrètesWe need to undertake concrete actions
- Il faut se bouger maintenantWe need to take action now
- Allez, on se met en action et on résout ce problèmeCome on, let's take action and solve this issue
- Nous agirons rapidementWe will take action quickly
- Je vais prendre des mesures concrètes et me mettre en action pour résoudre ce problèmeI am going to take concrete measures and take action to solve this issue
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are discussing a problem at their office.
- LucasLe projet est en retard, il faut agir.The project is late, we must take action.
- ManonTu as raison, Lucas. Quand devons-nous agir ?You are right, Lucas. When should we act?
- LucasDès demain, si tu es d'accord.Starting tomorrow, if you agree.
- ManonD'accord, je suis prête à agir avec toi.Okay, I am ready to act with you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry agir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
