Bonjour, mes amis! Are you ready to dive into the colorful world of French expressions? Today, we’re going to embark on a fascinating journey through the language of love, exploring various idiomatic expressions that feature the versatile verb “prendre” (to take.
As with many languages, French is rich with idioms and expressions that can make your head spin if you try to translate them literally. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you navigate this linguistic roller coaster together!
Expressions With Prendre
- Prendre la tête: Literally “to take the head,” this expression means to bother or annoy someone.
Example: “Arrête de me prendre la tête avec tes histoires!” (Stop bothering me with your stories!). - Prendre son pied: Directly translated as “to take one’s foot,” this colloquial phrase means to experience great pleasure or enjoyment.
Example: “J’ai pris mon pied en assistant à ce concert.” (I really enjoyed attending this concert). - Prendre l’air: “To take the air” means to go outside for some fresh air or to get out of a stuffy environment.
Example: “Il fait trop chaud ici, je vais prendre l’air.” (It’s too hot in here, I’m going to get some fresh air). - Prendre au mot: This expression means “to take someone at their word,” or to take what someone says literally.
Example: “Quand il a dit qu’il partirait, je l’ai pris au mot.” (When he said he would leave, I took him at his word). - Prendre le large: “To take the wide” means to make a quick getaway, often to avoid a difficult situation.
Example: “Après la dispute, j’ai préféré prendre le large.” (After the argument, I preferred to make a quick getaway). - Prendre de la bouteille: This phrase means “to gain experience” or “to improve with age,” just like a fine wine.
Example: “Ce jeune acteur a vraiment pris de la bouteille depuis son premier film.” (This young actor has really gained experience since his first movie). - Prendre un coup de vieux: This expression means “to age suddenly” or “to feel old.”
Example: “En revoyant mes photos de lycée, j’ai pris un coup de vieux!” (Looking at my high school photos made me feel old!). - Prendre des gants: “To take gloves” means to handle a situation delicately or with care.
Example: “Pour parler à mon patron, il faut prendre des gants.” (To talk to my boss, you have to be very careful). - Prendre ses jambes à son cou: “To take one’s legs to one’s neck” means to run away as fast as possible.
Example: “Quand j’ai vu le chien, j’ai pris mes jambes à mon cou.” (When I saw the dog, I ran away as fast as I could). - Prendre le taureau par les cornes: This means “to take the bull by the horns,” or to tackle a difficult problem head-on.
Example: “Pour réussir, il faut prendre le taureau par les cornes.” (To succeed, you have to tackle the problem head-on). - Prendre la mouche: “To take the fly” means to get offended or upset easily.
Example: “Elle a pris la mouche quand je lui ai dit qu’elle chantait faux.” (She got upset when I told her she was singing off-key). - Prendre la poudre d’escampette: This expression means “to make a hasty escape.”
Example: “Quand la police est arrivée, il a pris la poudre d’escampette.” (When the police arrived, he made a hasty escape). - Prendre la plume: “To take the pen” means to start writing.
Example: “J’ai pris la plume pour te répondre rapidement.” (I started writing to answer you quickly). - Prendre le melon: This expression means “to get a big head” or to become arrogant.
Example: “Depuis qu’il a été promu, il a pris le melon.” (Since he got promoted, he’s become arrogant). - Prendre un râteau: “To take a rake” means to be rejected or turned down, often in a romantic context.
Example: “J’ai essayé de l’inviter à sortir, mais j’ai pris un râteau.” (I tried to ask her out, but I got rejected). - Prendre ses aises: This phrase means “to make oneself comfortable” or to relax.
Example: “Mets-toi à l’aise et prends tes aises, tu es chez toi!” (Make yourself comfortable and relax, you’re at home!). - Prendre un coup de soleil: “To take a hit of sun” means to get sunburned.
Example: “J’ai pris un coup de soleil à la plage aujourd’hui.” (I got sunburned at the beach today). - Prendre sur soi: This expression means “to bite the bullet” or to endure something unpleasant without complaining.
Example: “J’ai pris sur moi pour ne pas me plaindre pendant les réparations.” (I bit the bullet and didn’t complain during the repairs). - Prendre les choses en main: “To take things in hand” means to take control of a situation or to take responsibility.
Example: “Face à cette crise, il faut prendre les choses en main.” (In the face of this crisis, we need to take control). - Prendre la route: This phrase means “to hit the road” or to set off on a journey.
Example: “Demain, je prends la route pour aller en vacances.” (Tomorrow, I’ll hit the road for my vacation). - Prendre un verre: This phrase means “to have a drink,” usually in a casual social setting.
Example: “On se retrouve ce soir pour prendre un verre?” (Shall we meet tonight for a drink?). - Prendre en compte: This expression means “to take into account” or “to consider.”
Example: “Il faut prendre en compte les conséquences de cette décision.” (We must take into account the consequences of this decision). - Prendre en otage: “To take hostage” means to hold someone or something against their will, either literally or figuratively.
Example: “Les pirates ont pris les passagers en otage.” (The pirates took the passengers hostage). - Prendre ses marques: This phrase means “to find one’s bearings” or to become comfortable in a new environment.
Example: “Il lui a fallu quelques semaines pour prendre ses marques dans son nouvel appartement.” (It took her a few weeks to find her bearings in her new apartment). - Prendre du recul: “To take a step back” means to distance oneself from a situation in order to gain perspective.
Example: “Parfois, il faut prendre du recul pour mieux comprendre les choses.” (Sometimes, you need to take a step back to better understand things). - Prendre l’eau: This expression means “to take on water,” and it can be used both literally and figuratively.
Example: “Le bateau a pris l’eau, et nous avons dû l’évacuer.” (The boat took on water, and we had to evacuate it). - Prendre ses cliques et ses claques: This phrase means “to pack up one’s things” and leave.
Example: “Après la dispute, elle a pris ses cliques et ses claques et est partie.” (After the argument, she packed up her things and left). - Prendre la porte: “To take the door” means to leave or to be kicked out or to drop out.
Example: “Il m’a énervé, alors je lui ai demandé de prendre la porte.” (He annoyed me, so I asked him to leave). - Prendre un pot: This expression is similar to “prendre un verre” and means “to have a drink” in a casual setting.
Example: “Ça te dit de prendre un pot après le travail?” (Do you feel like having a drink after work?). - Prendre ses distances: “To take distance” means to distance oneself from someone or something, either physically or emotionally.
Example: “Depuis qu’ils se sont disputés, elle a pris ses distances avec lui.” (Since they argued, she has distanced herself from him).
Prendre le Transport: Navigating French Transportation with “Prendre”
Navigating transportation in French is much simpler once you master the verb “prendre”. The verb is commonly used to express various means of transportation. Let’s explore some examples and explanations of how to use “prendre” when talking about getting around in French.
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- Prendre le métro: This phrase means “to take the metro” or “to ride the subway.” Example: “Pour aller au centre-ville, je prends le métro.” (To go downtown, I take the metro).
- Prendre le bus: This expression means “to take the bus” or “to ride the bus.” Example: “Il prend le bus pour se rendre au travail.” (He takes the bus to get to work).
- Prendre le train: “To take the train” means to travel by train. Example: “Nous avons pris le train pour aller à Paris.” (We took the train to go to Paris).
- Prendre l’avion: This phrase means “to take the plane” or “to fly.” Example: “Pour nos vacances, nous avons pris l’avion pour la Grèce.” (For our vacation, we took the plane to Greece).
- Prendre le vélo: “To take the bike” means to ride a bike or cycle. Example: “Quand il fait beau, je prends le vélo pour me déplacer en ville.” (When the weather is nice, I ride my bike to get around town).
- Prendre le tramway: This expression means “to take the tram” or “to ride the tram.” Example: “Prendre le tramway est une option pratique pour se déplacer à Bordeaux.” (The tram is a convenient option for getting around Bordeaux).
- Prendre le bateau: “To take the boat” means to travel by boat. Example: “Pour visiter les îles, on peut prendre le bateau depuis le port.” (To visit the islands, we can take the boat from the harbor).
- Prendre le taxi: This phrase means “to take a taxi” or “to ride in a taxi.” Example: “C’est tard, je vais prendre un taxi pour rentrer chez moi.” (It’s late, I’m going to take a taxi to go home).
Remember, when talking about transportation in French, the verb “prendre” is your go-to verb for expressing the mode of transportation you’re using.
À Table avec Prendre: French Expressions for Food, Drink, and Medication
The versatile verb “prendre” extends its reach into the realms of food, drink, and medication in the French language. Let’s dive into some delightful expressions that incorporate “prendre” and add flavor to your French conversations!
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- Prendre le petit déjeuner: This phrase means “to have breakfast.” Example: “Je prends toujours le petit déjeuner avant d’aller travailler.” (I always have breakfast before going to work).
- Prendre le déjeuner: This expression means “to have lunch.” Example: “À midi, je prends le déjeuner avec mes collègues.” (At noon, I have lunch with my colleagues).
- Prendre le dîner: “To have dinner” or “to dine” is the meaning of this phrase. Example: “Ce soir, nous prenons le diner en famille.” (Tonight, we’re having dinner as a family).
- Prendre un café: This phrase means “to have a coffee” or “to grab a coffee.” Example: “Après le déjeuner, on prend souvent un café.” (After lunch, we often have a coffee).
- Prendre un thé: “To have tea” is the meaning of this expression. Example: “Elle aime prendre un thé l’après-midi.” (She likes having tea in the afternoon).
- Prendre un apéritif: This phrase means “to have an aperitif” or “to have a pre-dinner drink.” Example: “Avant le repas, nous prenons un apéritif pour stimuler l’appétit.” (Before the meal, we have an aperitif to stimulate our appetite).
- Prendre un en-cas: “To have a snack” is the meaning of this expression. Example: “Quand j’ai faim entre les repas, je prends un en-cas.” (When I’m hungry between meals, I have a snack).
- Prendre ses médicaments: This phrase means “to take one’s medication.” Example: “Il est important de prendre ses médicaments à l’heure prescrite.” (It’s important to take medication at the prescribed time).
- Prendre une cuillerée: “To take a spoonful” is the meaning of this expression, often used when talking about medication in liquid form. Example: “Prends une cuillerée de sirop contre la toux toutes les quatre heures.” (Take a spoonful of cough syrup every four hours).
- Prendre un verre d’eau: This phrase means “to have a glass of water” or “to drink a glass of water.” Example: “N’oublie pas de prendre un verre d’eau avant de dormir.” (Don’t forget to have a glass of water before sleeping).
Mastering these expressions with “prendre” will not only help you discuss food, drink, and medication in French but also make your conversations more natural and engaging. Bon appétit et bonne santé!
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FAQs Related French Expressions Using Prendre
How can the verb “prendre” be conjugated to the present tense in French?
In the present tense, “prendre” is conjugated as follows:
- Je prends (I take)
- Tu prends (You take, singular informal)
- Il/Elle/On prend (He/She/One takes)
- Nous prenons (We take)
- Vous prenez (You take, plural or singular formal)
- Ils/Elles prennent (They take)
Is “prendre” a regular or irregular verb in French?
“Prendre” is an irregular verb in French. It does not follow the regular conjugation patterns of -er, -ir, or -re verbs.
How do you use “prendre” in French?
“Prendre” is used to mean “to take” in a variety of contexts, such as taking objects, taking transportation, or taking food and drinks. The verb is also used in many idiomatic expressions and phrases, as demonstrated in the blog post.
What verbs are conjugated like “prendre”?
Some verbs conjugated like “prendre” include:
- Apprendre (to learn)
- Comprendre (to understand)
- Entreprendre (to undertake)
- Surprendre (to surprise)
These verbs follow the same irregular conjugation pattern as “prendre.”
Is “prendre” a reflexive verb?
“Prendre” is not a reflexive verb in its basic form. However, it can be used reflexively in certain expressions, such as “se prendre pour” (to think of oneself as) or “se prendre la tête” (to worry or argue). In reflexive constructions, the verb is preceded by a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) and its meaning changes accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the versatile verb “prendre” is a key ingredient in a multitude of French expressions, idioms, and phrases. We’ve explored its usage in everyday conversations, transportation, and even in the context of food, drink, and medication. By familiarizing yourself with these expressions and incorporating them into your French vocabulary, you’ll be able to communicate more fluently and authentically.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t be shy to use these “prendre” expressions in your conversations with native speakers, as this will help you gain confidence and improve your language skills. Whether you’re chatting with friends, navigating the streets of Paris, or enjoying a delicious French meal, the magic of “prendre” will be by your side. Allez, on y va! Embrace the beauty and richness of the French language, and let “prendre” be your guide on this exciting linguistic adventure. Bonne chance et à bientôt!
