In French, apprendre means "to learn," focusing on the acquisition of knowledge, while enseigner means "to teach," emphasizing the delivery of instruction. These verbs are central to expressing educational dynamics and are used with different subject roles and sometimes different constructions.
- Apprendre: to gain knowledge or skills (by oneself or from someone/something).
- Enseigner: to provide instruction or training to others.
- They describe opposite perspectives: learner vs. teacher.
'Apprendre' means to learn, and 'enseigner' means to teach.
Apprendre: to learn
Apprendre is used when someone receives or acquires knowledge. The subject is the learner.
- Regular root: apprend- (except 1st & 2nd pers. pl. in present: appren-)
- Can be used transitively (apprendre quelque chose = to learn something) or with indirect object (apprendre à quelqu’un à faire quelque chose = to teach someone to do something).
Present tense: apprendre
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Je | apprends |
| Tu | apprends |
| Il/Elle/On | apprend |
| Nous | apprenons |
| Vous | apprenez |
| Ils/Elles | apprennent |
- Je apprends le français. (I learn French.)
- Elle apprend à conduire. (She learns to drive.)
The person who learns is the subject for 'apprendre'.
Enseigner: to teach
Enseigner expresses the act of instructing. The subject is the teacher.
- Regular -er verb: enseigne-, enseigne-, enseigne-, enseign-...
- Used with an indirect object for the learner: enseigner quelque chose à quelqu’un (to teach someone something).
Present tense: enseigner
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Je | enseigne |
| Tu | enseignes |
| Il/Elle/On | enseigne |
| Nous | enseignons |
| Vous | enseignez |
| Ils/Elles | enseignent |
- Le professeur enseigne la biologie. (The teacher teaches biology.)
- Nous enseignons aux enfants. (We teach the children.)
The subject in 'enseigner' sentences is the one who teaches.
Example Sentences
| Verb | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Apprendre | J'apprends le français. | I am learning French. |
| Ils apprennent à nager. | They are learning to swim. | |
| Enseigner | Elle enseigne l'histoire. | She teaches history. |
| Nous enseignons aux nouveaux employés. | We teach the new employees. |
You use 'apprendre' when someone learns a new skill.
From the teacher's perspective: 'enseigner'; from the student's: 'apprendre'.
Conclusion
Apprendre and enseigner capture the two sides of education—learning and teaching—with distinct subjects and usages. Mastering these verbs clarifies who does what in the transfer of knowledge.
- Apprendre = to learn (used by/about the learner).
- Enseigner = to teach (used by/about the teacher).
- Both are essential for discussing education in French.