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The French verb "donner" means "to give" in English. It is one of the most fundamental verbs in French, belonging to the first conjugation group (-er verbs). As a transitive verb, "donner" requires a direct object and often appears with indirect object pronouns to indicate the recipient. This verb is essential for everyday communication, from simple acts of giving physical objects to expressing abstract concepts like giving advice, permission, or one's opinion.
Definition: Donner (verb) - to give, to provide, to grant, to yield, to produce
FAQ SchemaQuestion: What does "donner" mean in French? Answer: "Donner" is a French verb meaning "to give" in English. It is used to express the transfer of something from one person to another, whether physical objects, abstract concepts, or actions.
In this lesson, you will encounter "donner" in various contexts and tenses, demonstrating its versatility in French expression. The examples progress from simple present tense usage to more complex constructions involving pronouns, different tenses, and idiomatic expressions.
Educational SchemaCourse: French for English Speakers Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Verb "donner" (to give) Lesson Type: Reading comprehension with grammar focus Learning Objectives: - Master conjugation of "donner" in various tenses - Understand pronoun placement with "donner" - Recognize idiomatic expressions using "donner"
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"Donner" is a regular -er verb following standard conjugation patterns -
It often appears with indirect object pronouns (me, te, lui, nous, vous, leur) -
Word order changes when pronouns are involved -
"Donner" appears in many French idiomatic expressions -
The past participle "donné" agrees with direct objects in compound tenses when applicable
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98.1 Marie Marie donne gives un a livre book à to son her frère brother
98.2 Est-ce is-it que that tu you me to-me donnes give ton your numéro number?
98.3 Les the parents parents donnent give toujours always de of bons good conseils advice
98.4 Hier yesterday nous we avons have donné given notre our réponse answer
98.5 Il he faut must que that je I donne give cette this lettre letter au to-the directeur director
98.6 Qui who vous to-you a has donné given cette this information information?
98.7 Le the professeur professor donnera will-give les the résultats results demain tomorrow
98.8 Ne not donne give pas not trop too-much de of sucre sugar aux to-the enfants children
98.9 Cette this plante plant donne gives de of belles beautiful fleurs flowers au in-the printemps spring
98.10 Si if tu you lui to-him donnais gave une a chance chance, il he réussirait would-succeed
98.11 Les the arbres trees donnent give de of l'ombre the-shade en in été summer
98.12 Ma my grand-mère grandmother m' to-me a has donné given sa her recette recipe secrète secret
98.13 Avant before de of partir leaving, donnez give -moi to-me votre your adresse address
98.14 Ce this film film donne gives envie desire de of voyager traveling
98.15 Ils they se to-themselves sont have donné given rendez-vous appointment à at midi noon
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98.1 Marie donne un livre à son frère. Marie gives a book to her brother.
98.2 Est-ce que tu me donnes ton numéro? Will you give me your number?
98.3 Les parents donnent toujours de bons conseils. Parents always give good advice.
98.4 Hier nous avons donné notre réponse. Yesterday we gave our answer.
98.5 Il faut que je donne cette lettre au directeur. I must give this letter to the director.
98.6 Qui vous a donné cette information? Who gave you this information?
98.7 Le professeur donnera les résultats demain. The professor will give the results tomorrow.
98.8 Ne donne pas trop de sucre aux enfants. Don't give too much sugar to the children.
98.9 Cette plante donne de belles fleurs au printemps. This plant gives beautiful flowers in spring.
98.10 Si tu lui donnais une chance, il réussirait. If you gave him a chance, he would succeed.
98.11 Les arbres donnent de l'ombre en été. The trees give shade in summer.
98.12 Ma grand-mère m'a donné sa recette secrète. My grandmother gave me her secret recipe.
98.13 Avant de partir, donnez-moi votre adresse. Before leaving, give me your address.
98.14 Ce film donne envie de voyager. This film makes you want to travel.
98.15 Ils se sont donné rendez-vous à midi. They arranged to meet at noon.
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98.1 Marie donne un livre à son frère.
98.2 Est-ce que tu me donnes ton numéro?
98.3 Les parents donnent toujours de bons conseils.
98.4 Hier nous avons donné notre réponse.
98.5 Il faut que je donne cette lettre au directeur.
98.6 Qui vous a donné cette information?
98.7 Le professeur donnera les résultats demain.
98.8 Ne donne pas trop de sucre aux enfants.
98.9 Cette plante donne de belles fleurs au printemps.
98.10 Si tu lui donnais une chance, il réussirait.
98.11 Les arbres donnent de l'ombre en été.
98.12 Ma grand-mère m'a donné sa recette secrète.
98.13 Avant de partir, donnez-moi votre adresse.
98.14 Ce film donne envie de voyager.
98.15 Ils se sont donné rendez-vous à midi.
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"Donner" is a regular first conjugation (-er) verb in French. Here are the essential grammar rules:
Present Tense Conjugation: -
je donne (I give) -
tu donnes (you give - informal) -
il/elle/on donne (he/she/one gives) -
nous donnons (we give) -
vous donnez (you give - formal/plural) -
ils/elles donnent (they give)
Past Participle: donné (given) -
Used with avoir in compound tenses -
Agreement with preceding direct object
Common Constructions: -
donner quelque chose à quelqu'un (to give something to someone) -
donner + infinitive (to allow/cause to) -
se donner (reflexive: to give oneself, to meet)
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Forgetting the preposition "à" -
Wrong: Je donne le livre Jean -
Correct: Je donne le livre à Jean -
Incorrect pronoun placement -
Wrong: Je donne à lui le livre -
Correct: Je lui donne le livre -
Confusing direct and indirect objects -
Remember: the thing given is direct, the recipient needs "à" -
Forgetting agreement in reflexive constructions -
Wrong: Elles se sont donné la main -
Correct: Elles se sont donné la main (no agreement - la main is direct object)
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Word Order: English allows "give him the book" or "give the book to him"; French requires "donner le livre à lui" or "lui donner le livre" -
Phrasal Meanings: English "give up" = French "abandonner" (not "donner up") -
Idiomatic Differences: "give a hand" = "donner un coup de main" (literally: give a blow of hand)
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Identify the direct object (what is given) -
Identify the indirect object (to whom) -
Place indirect object pronoun before the verb -
Keep direct object after the verb (or use pronoun) -
In imperative, attach pronouns after with hyphen
Example progression: -
Basic: Je donne le livre à Marie -
With pronoun: Je lui donne le livre -
Both pronouns: Je le lui donne
Imperative Forms: -
donne (informal singular) -
donnons (let's give) -
donnez (formal/plural)
Subjunctive Present: -
que je donne -
que tu donnes -
qu'il/elle donne -
que nous donnions -
que vous donniez -
qu'ils/elles donnent
Common Expressions with Donner: -
donner raison (to agree with someone) -
donner tort (to disagree with someone) -
donner sur (to look out onto) -
donner lieu à (to give rise to) -
se donner du mal (to go to trouble)
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For English speakers learning French, understanding "donner" extends beyond mere translation. In French culture, the act of giving carries significant social weight. The phrase "donner de ses nouvelles" (to give news of oneself) reflects the French emphasis on maintaining social connections—it's considered polite to regularly update friends and family about your life.
The expression "donner du vous" or "donner du tu" relates to the complex system of formal and informal address in French. Unlike English, where "you" serves all purposes, French speakers must navigate when to use "tu" (informal) or "vous" (formal), and "giving the tu" to someone represents a significant social gesture of familiarity.
In professional contexts, "donner sa démission" (to give one's resignation) follows more formal protocols than in Anglo-American business culture. The French often provide longer notice periods and written explanations.
Gift-giving customs also differ. While Americans might casually give gifts, the French tradition of "donner un cadeau" involves more ceremony. Gifts are typically wrapped elegantly, and there are specific rules about what to give (never chrysanthemums, associated with funerals) and when to open presents (usually not immediately in front of the giver).
The idiom "c'est donnant donnant" (it's give and take) encapsulates the French appreciation for reciprocity and balance in relationships, whether personal or professional. This reflects a cultural value of maintaining equilibrium in social exchanges.
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Source: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Le Petit Prince (1943), Chapter XXI
C'est it-is le the temps time que that tu you as have perdu lost pour for ta your rose rose qui which fait makes ta your rose rose si so importante important. Les the hommes men ont have oublié forgotten cette this vérité truth, dit said le the renard fox. Mais but tu you ne not dois must pas not l'oublier it-forget. Tu you deviens become responsable responsible pour for toujours forever de of ce what que that tu you as have apprivoisé tamed.
C'est le temps que tu as perdu pour ta rose qui fait ta rose si importante. Les hommes ont oublié cette vérité, dit le renard. Mais tu ne dois pas l'oublier. Tu deviens responsable pour toujours de ce que tu as apprivoisé.
It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important. Men have forgotten this truth, said the fox. But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.
C'est le temps que tu as perdu pour ta rose qui fait ta rose si importante. Les hommes ont oublié cette vérité, dit le renard. Mais tu ne dois pas l'oublier. Tu deviens responsable pour toujours de ce que tu as apprivoisé.
This passage, though not containing "donner" directly, embodies the essence of giving through the concept of time and attention given to another. The verb "perdre" (to lose/waste) here paradoxically means to give generously of one's time. Saint-Exupéry uses simple language to convey profound truth about relationships and responsibility.
The grammatical structures demonstrate: -
Cleft sentence: "C'est... qui" (It is... that) -
Present perfect: "tu as perdu" (you have lost/wasted) -
Modal obligation: "tu ne dois pas" (you must not) -
Literary present perfect: "ont oublié" (have forgotten)
For English speakers, note how French uses "perdre du temps pour" (lose time for) where English might say "spend time on." This reflects different cultural metaphors for time as something lost versus invested. The passage teaches that what we give of ourselves—our time, attention, care—creates lasting bonds and responsibilities.
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98.16 Nous we vous to-you donnons give par by la the présente present notre our accord agreement pour for le the projet project
98.17 Veuillez please me to-me donner give une a réponse response avant before le the 15 15 mars March
98.18 La the direction management donnera will-give son its avis opinion lors during de of la the réunion meeting
98.19 Je I vous to-you donne give ci-joint attached-here les the documents documents demandés requested
98.20 Pourriez could -vous you nous to-us donner give des some précisions details sur on votre your offre offer?
98.21 Le the client client nous to-us a has donné given carte card blanche white pour for ce this dossier file
98.22 Notre our société company donne gives la the priorité priority à to la the satisfaction satisfaction client customer
98.23 Ils they ont have donné given leur their démission resignation avec with effet effect immédiat immediate
98.24 Cette this formation training vous to-you donnera will-give les the compétences skills nécessaires necessary
98.25 Le the contrat contract donne gives droit right à to trois three semaines weeks de of congés vacation
98.26 Nous we ne not pouvons can pas not donner give suite follow-up à to votre your demande request
98.27 L'entreprise the-company donnera will-give une a conférence conference de of presse press demain tomorrow
98.28 Merci thank-you de for nous to-us donner giving votre your disponibilité availability pour for un an entretien interview
98.29 Ces these chiffres figures donnent give une a idée idea claire clear de of la the situation situation
98.30 Le the rapport report donne gives des some recommandations recommendations détaillées detailed
98.16 Nous vous donnons par la présente notre accord pour le projet. We hereby give you our agreement for the project.
98.17 Veuillez me donner une réponse avant le 15 mars. Please give me a response before March 15th.
98.18 La direction donnera son avis lors de la réunion. Management will give its opinion during the meeting.
98.19 Je vous donne ci-joint les documents demandés. I am giving you the requested documents attached.
98.20 Pourriez-vous nous donner des précisions sur votre offre? Could you give us details about your offer?
98.21 Le client nous a donné carte blanche pour ce dossier. The client gave us carte blanche for this file.
98.22 Notre société donne la priorité à la satisfaction client. Our company gives priority to customer satisfaction.
98.23 Ils ont donné leur démission avec effet immédiat. They gave their resignation with immediate effect.
98.24 Cette formation vous donnera les compétences nécessaires. This training will give you the necessary skills.
98.25 Le contrat donne droit à trois semaines de congés. The contract gives the right to three weeks of vacation.
98.26 Nous ne pouvons pas donner suite à votre demande. We cannot follow up on your request.
98.27 L'entreprise donnera une conférence de presse demain. The company will give a press conference tomorrow.
98.28 Merci de nous donner votre disponibilité pour un entretien. Thank you for giving us your availability for an interview.
98.29 Ces chiffres donnent une idée claire de la situation. These figures give a clear idea of the situation.
98.30 Le rapport donne des recommandations détaillées. The report gives detailed recommendations.
98.16 Nous vous donnons par la présente notre accord pour le projet.
98.17 Veuillez me donner une réponse avant le 15 mars.
98.18 La direction donnera son avis lors de la réunion.
98.19 Je vous donne ci-joint les documents demandés.
98.20 Pourriez-vous nous donner des précisions sur votre offre?
98.21 Le client nous a donné carte blanche pour ce dossier.
98.22 Notre société donne la priorité à la satisfaction client.
98.23 Ils ont donné leur démission avec effet immédiat.
98.24 Cette formation vous donnera les compétences nécessaires.
98.25 Le contrat donne droit à trois semaines de congés.
98.26 Nous ne pouvons pas donner suite à votre demande.
98.27 L'entreprise donnera une conférence de presse demain.
98.28 Merci de nous donner votre disponibilité pour un entretien.
98.29 Ces chiffres donnent une idée claire de la situation.
98.30 Le rapport donne des recommandations détaillées.
In business correspondence, "donner" appears in numerous formal expressions that differ significantly from everyday usage:
Professional Expressions: -
donner suite à (to follow up on) -
donner son accord (to give one's agreement) -
donner carte blanche (to give free rein) -
donner sa démission (to resign) -
donner priorité à (to prioritize) -
donner droit à (to entitle to)
Formal Request Structures: -
"Veuillez donner" - formal command (Please give) -
"Pourriez-vous donner" - conditional request (Could you give) -
"Merci de donner" - polite instruction (Thank you for giving)
Common Business Collocations: -
donner une réponse (give an answer) -
donner des précisions (give details) -
donner un avis (give an opinion) -
donner des instructions (give instructions) -
donner une présentation (give a presentation)
Business French requires specific adaptations:
Formal markers with "donner": -
"par la présente" (hereby) -
"ci-joint" (attached) -
"avec effet immédiat" (with immediate effect) -
"Veuillez" instead of imperative
Pronoun Placement in Formal Context: -
Formal: "Pourriez-vous nous donner" -
Less formal: "Pouvez-vous nous donner" -
Informal: "Tu peux me donner"
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Legal/Contract Language: -
"Le contrat donne droit à" (The contract entitles to) -
Rights and obligations use "donner droit" -
Correspondence Formulas: -
Opening: "Je vous donne" (formal giving of information) -
Closing: "En vous donnant" (while giving you) -
Meeting/Presentation Context: -
"donner la parole à" (to give the floor to) -
"donner son avis" (to give one's opinion)
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Using informal pronouns in formal letters -
Forgetting formal markers like "Veuillez" -
Using "donner" where English uses "make" (e.g., "make a presentation" = "faire une présentation," not "donner") -
Confusing "donner suite" (follow up) with literal translations
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These language lessons are part of the Latinum Institute's comprehensive approach to language learning, developed by curator Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been creating online language learning materials since 2006. The lessons follow the method detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk.
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Clear grammatical explanations tailored for English speakers -
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Practical application through varied genres
The interlinear method allows students to: -
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