French Conversation · Level 59
74 words
French word
enseigner
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃seɲe/
Meaning
- verbteach
Example
Elle enseigne le français.
She teaches French.
More examples
Le professeur enseigne une nouvelle matière cette année.
The teacher is teaching a new subject this year.
Core concept
Someone shows the path through a subject or technique until another person can reproduce the result.
Common phrases
enseigner à quelqu'un
teach someone
enseigner une matière
teach a subject
Similar words
expliquer: To make a meaning or process clear through words or examples.
montrer: To demonstrate how something is done to aid understanding or use.
apprendre: To teach someone new knowledge or skills.
Definition in French
Transmettre un savoir, une méthode ou une technique pour que l'autre comprenne et puisse reproduire ce qui a été montré.
Word origin
The French verb descends from Old French enseigner and Latin insignare, related to signum, 'mark'; its earlier idea of indicating led to the educational sense.
Usage tips
- Apprendre can also mean 'teach' in apprendre quelque chose à quelqu'un, whereas enseigner is the unambiguous verb for teaching.
Other meanings
- instructverb
Opposites
- apprendrelearnverb
Related words
- enseignementeducationnoun
- enseignantteachernoun
- enseignétaughtadjective