French · Everyday Verbs
"to learn" in French: apprendre
apprendre
To learn in French is apprendre : j'apprends, tu apprends, elle apprend. The past participle is appris. Apprendre à + infinitive means to learn to do something.
Language goal
J'apprends le français avec une appli.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce apprendre
Say it
ah-PRAHNDR
/a.pʁɑ̃dʁ/
Ah-PRAHNDR. Nasal an, soft final re. J'apprends: zhah-PRAHN.
"to learn" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| apprendre | to learn Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| j'apprends | I learn / I'm learning Present. | Present. |
| apprendre à | to learn to Before an infinitive. | Before an infinitive. |
| j'ai appris | I learned / I heard Passé composé. | Passé composé. |
How to use apprendre in real life
- 1Language goal
J'apprends le français avec une appli.
I'm learning French with an app.
J'apprends.
- 2New skill
Elle apprend à conduire cet été.
She's learning to drive this summer.
Apprend à.
- 3Sharing news
J'ai appris la nouvelle ce matin.
I learned the news this morning.
Appris.
Mistakes English speakers make with apprendre
Incorrect: J'apprend le piano.
Correct: J'apprends le piano.
Je/tu/il forms: j'apprends with -ds.
Incorrect: J'ai apprend hier.
Correct: J'ai appris hier.
Past participle is appris.
Good to know
French schools stress apprendre par cœur for memorizing. Adults say j'apprends sur le tas for learning on the job.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Talking about language practice
ChatPal
Tu apprends vite, bravo.
You're learning fast—well done.
You
Merci. J'apprends surtout en parlant.
Thanks. I learn mostly by speaking.
ChatPal
Moi j'apprends les verbes le soir.
I learn the verbs in the evening.
You
On peut réviser ensemble.
We can revise together.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to learn" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to learn" in French
How do you conjugate apprendre in the present?
J'apprends, tu apprends, il/elle apprend, nous apprenons, vous apprenez, ils/elles apprennent.
What is apprendre à?
Learn to + verb: apprendre à nager.
What is the past participle?
Appris.
How do you pronounce apprendre?
Ah-PRAHNDR.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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