French · Everyday Verbs
"to meet" in French: rencontrer
rencontrer
To meet in French is rencontrer. Je rencontre means I meet / I'm meeting (someone). On se rencontre à midi is let's meet at noon. Use the verb form, not only the noun une rencontre.
Networking
Je rencontre un client à quinze heures.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce rencontrer
Say it
rahn-kon-TRAY
/ʁɑ̃.kɔ̃.tʁe/
Rencontrer: rahn-kon-TRAY. Je rencontre: zhuh rahn-KONT. Soft nasal on.
"to meet" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| rencontrer | to meet Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| je rencontre / tu rencontres | I meet / you meet Present. | Present. |
| se rencontrer | to meet each other Plans. | Plans. |
| rencontrer quelqu'un | to meet someone People. | People. |
How to use rencontrer in real life
- 1Networking
Je rencontre un client à quinze heures.
I'm meeting a client at three.
Je rencontre.
- 2Friends plan
On se rencontre devant le cinéma ?
Shall we meet in front of the cinema?
Se rencontrer.
- 3Travel story
Tu rencontres souvent des gens sympas en auberge ?
Do you often meet nice people in hostels?
Tu rencontres.
Mistakes English speakers make with rencontrer
Incorrect: J'ai une rencontre (only) when teaching the verb.
Correct: Je rencontre Paul à midi.
Use the verb rencontrer; une rencontre is the noun.
Incorrect: Je meet mon ami.
Correct: Je rencontre mon ami. / On se voit.
Use rencontrer or se voir.
Good to know
For casual friend plans, on se voit is more common than on se rencontre. Rencontrer fits first meetings, appointments, and chance encounters.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Setting a coffee meetup
ChatPal
On se rencontre où ?
Where shall we meet?
You
Je te rencontre devant la librairie.
I'll meet you in front of the bookshop.
ChatPal
Parfait. Si tu es en retard, on se rencontre au café d'à côté.
Perfect. If you're late, we'll meet at the café next door.
You
OK, à tout à l'heure.
OK, see you soon.
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 meet" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to meet" in French
How do you say to meet in French?
Rencontrer.
How do you say shall we meet?
On se rencontre ? / On se voit ?
Rencontrer or se voir?
Se voir is casual plans; rencontrer fits meetings and first encounters.
How do you pronounce rencontrer?
rahn-kon-TRAY.
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
Keep reading
- Ordering Food in French: Essential Phrases for 2026Ordering food in french - Learn how to confidently order food in French with real-life phrases and tips for 2026 travelers
- 10 Best French Speaking Practice Apps for 2026Find the best French speaking practice app to build fluency. We review 10 top tools like ChatPal for conversation, travel prep, and building confidence in 2026.
