A detailed comparison of the French verbs atteindre and réussir, explaining their meanings, usage, and examples to help learners choose the right verb for expressing achievement or success.
In French, both atteindre and réussir relate to achieving goals, but they have different nuances and uses. Atteindre means "to reach" or "to get to" a physical or figurative point, while réussir means "to succeed" or "to achieve" something, often implying a positive outcome or accomplishment.
Meaning
- Atteindre* = to reach, arrive at, or hit a target (can be physical or abstract)
- Réussir* = to succeed, accomplish, or pass (often implies success or positive results)
- Atteindre focuses on the act of reaching a point; réussir* focuses on the success of an endeavor
Usage
- Atteindre* is used with direct objects (often goals, places, or numbers)
- Réussir is used with nouns (e.g., un examen, un projet) or with à* + infinitive
- Réussir implies that the task was completed successfully; atteindre* is neutral about success, focusing on the point reached
Examples
Atteindre
- Nous avons atteint le sommet.* (We reached the summit.)
- Elle a atteint son objectif.* (She reached her goal.)
- La température a atteint 30 degrés.* (The temperature reached 30 degrees.)
Réussir
- J’ai réussi mon examen.* (I passed/succeeded in my exam.)
- Il a réussi à convaincre le jury.* (He succeeded in convincing the jury.)
- Nous avons réussi notre projet.* (We successfully completed our project.)
Common Mistakes
- Je suis réussi mon examen. (Incorrect: réussir takes a direct object or à + infinitive, no auxiliary être)
- J’ai réussi mon examen. (Correct)
- J’ai réussi le sommet. (Incorrect: you don’t “succeed” a summit; you “reach” it)
- J’ai atteint le sommet. (Correct)
Summary
- Use atteindre when talking about reaching a point, goal, or level (physical or metaphorical)
- Use réussir when talking about succeeding at a task, exam, or challenge
- Atteindre = reach; réussir* = succeed
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
