French Conversation · Level 14
89 words
French word
mettre
Pronunciation
IPA/mɛtʁ/
Meaning
- verbput
Example
Je mets le livre sur la table.
I put the book on the table.
More examples
Le gouvernement a mis fin au programme.
The government put an end to the program.
Core concept
An object is positioned on, in, or onto something, and a person can similarly be put into dressed condition.
Common phrases
mettre un manteau
put on a coat
mettre fin à
put an end to
mettre la table
set the table
Similar words
poser: To set an object down briefly by hand.
déposer: To put an object down and leave it there.
placer: To place an object carefully in a designated position.
ranger: To organize objects by putting them in their proper places.
Definition in French
Placer, déposer ou introduire quelque chose dans un lieu ou sur un support; verbe courant employé aussi pour parler d'habiller quelqu'un.
Word origin
The verb comes through Old French metre from Latin mittere, whose basic senses included 'send' and 'let go'; French later used it for placing and putting on.
Usage tips
- With clothing, mettre takes the garment as its direct object: mettre une veste means 'put on a jacket', while porter une veste means 'wear a jacket'.