French word

apprendre

Pronunciation

IPA/apʁɑ̃dʁ/

Meaning

  • verblearn

Example

J'apprends le français.

I am learning French.

Illustration for apprendre (learn)

More examples

Elle apprend à cuisiner.

She is learning to cook.

Core concept

A hand gathers a fact or skill, and a teacher passes that gathered knowledge onward.

Common phrases

  • apprendre à

    learn to ___

  • apprendre une langue

    learn a language

  • apprendre par cœur

    memorize

Similar words

comprendre: To grasp the meaning of information or an explanation.
étudier: To spend time studying a subject, book, or lesson to gain knowledge.
enseigner: To teach others by clearly explaining what one knows.
savoir: To know a fact or piece of information.

Definition in French

Acquérir ou assimiler des connaissances, des compétences ou des informations; selon la construction, signifier aussi informer ou enseigner.

Word origin

French apprendre inherited the idea of grasping from Latin apprehendere through Old French, extending it from taking hold of things to acquiring knowledge.

Usage tips

  • Apprendre a plus an infinitive means learn to do something, while apprendre quelque chose means learn something.

Other meanings

  • teachverb
  • find outverb

Opposites

  • oublierforgetverb
  • désapprendreunlearnverb

Related words

Word lists with this word