French · Everyday Verbs
"to put" in French: mettre
mettre
Note: also: poser
To put in French is often mettre. Je mets les clés sur la table means I put the keys on the table. Past participle is mis / mise. Poser also means to put down.
Kitchen
Je mets les assiettes sur la table.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce mettre
Say it
MET-ruh
/mɛtʁ/
Mettre: MET-ruh. Mets: meh. Mis: mee.
"to put" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| mettre | to put / to put on Default. | Default. |
| je mets | I put / I'm putting Present. | Present. |
| mets ça là | put that there Imperative. | Imperative. |
| poser | to put down / set down Related verb. | Related verb. |
How to use mettre in real life
- 1Kitchen
Je mets les assiettes sur la table.
I'm putting the plates on the table.
Je mets.
- 2Getting dressed
Tu mets ton manteau avant de sortir ?
Are you putting on your coat before going out?
Tu mets.
- 3Past
Elle a mis le courrier près de la porte.
She put the mail by the door.
Mis past participle.
Mistakes English speakers make with mettre
Incorrect: Je mettre les clés ici.
Correct: Je mets les clés ici.
Conjugate: je mets, not infinitive mettre after je.
Incorrect: Il a poser le livre (only).
Correct: Il a mis le livre. / Il a posé le livre.
Mettre counts here; poser is fine too but this entry targets mettre.
Good to know
Mettre covers put, put on (clothes), and set (table: mettre la table). Se mettre à means to start doing something. Listen for mets vs mes (my) — same sound sometimes.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Clearing the counter
ChatPal
Tu mets où les sacs ?
Where are you putting the bags?
You
Je mets tout dans le placard.
I'm putting everything in the cupboard.
ChatPal
Parfait. Mets aussi le pain dedans.
Perfect. Put the bread in there too.
You
C'est fait.
Done.
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 put" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to put" in French
How do you say to put in French?
Mettre; also poser to put down.
How do you say I put / I'm putting?
Je mets.
What is the past participle?
Mis / mise.
How do you pronounce mettre?
MET-ruh.
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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