apprendre
/a.pʁɑ̃dʁ/
The English phrase "to learn" is translated into French as apprendre.
apprendre means to gain knowledge or a skill by studying or practicing. Depending on the context and the subject, it can mean both "to learn" and "to teach".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using apprendre with a direct object, such as a specific thing being learned, no preposition is required (e.g., apprendre quelque chose). However, if you want to say you are learning how to do an action, you must follow apprendre with the preposition à (e.g., apprendre à…).
How do you pronounce it?
/a.pʁɑ̃dʁ/
Did you know?
- The French word apprendre shares a common ancestor with the English word 'apprehend'. Both come from the Latin apprehendere, which originally meant to seize or grasp something physically before it meant to grasp an idea.
- In French, apprendre is used to say you have 'learned' or 'heard' a piece of news. For example, j'ai appris la nouvelle translates to 'I heard the news' rather than 'I studied the news'.
- The French phrase apprendre par cœur means to learn something 'by heart'. This expression is used far more frequently in French education than the equivalent phrase is used in modern English.
Examples in context
- Que veux-tu apprendre ?What do you want to learn?This sentence is useful for practicing the form apprendre in a question.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 followed by the preposition à to express learning an action.Tatoeba #1919282 by sacredceltic, translation #1918320 by Spamster
- J'ai beaucoup à apprendre.I have a lot to learn.This sentence demonstrates a common way to express having much to learn using apprendre.Tatoeba #2433513 by sacredceltic, translation #2060035 by CK
- Je souhaite apprendre le français.I want to learn French.
- Je souhaite acquérir des connaissances en histoire.I want to acquire knowledge in history.
- Je souhaite me familiariser avec la culture française.I want to become familiar with French culture.
- J'apprends à jouer de la guitare.I'm learning how to play the guitar.
- Je m'instruis grâce à la lecture.I educate myself through reading.
- 568 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing their new hobbies at a cafe.
- EmmaQu'est-ce que tu veux apprendre, Hugo ?What do you want to learn, Hugo?
- HugoJe veux apprendre la photographie.I want to learn photography.
- EmmaC'est super, moi je vais apprendre le piano.That's great, as for me, I'm going to learn the piano.
- HugoTu es très douée, Emma.You are very talented, Emma.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry apprendre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apprendre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
