In French, the verbs perdre and manquer convey different nuances of loss and absence.
- perdre: to lose something physically or metaphorically
- manquer: to miss something (an event, opportunity) or someone (feeling their absence); it also forms the structure for expressing that someone misses you
Understanding when and how to use each verb will help you express these ideas accurately in French.
- perdre: to lose (something tangible or abstract)
- manquer: to miss (someone/something) or to be absent/missing
- They are not interchangeable:
- Use perdre for lost items/opportunities dropped
- Use manquer for missed appointments/emotions
perdre
- Is a direct regular -re verb: je perds, tu perds, il perd, nous perdons, vous perdez, ils perdent
- Common uses: losing things, money, time, matches, hope
manquer
- Is a regular -er verb but often used with indirect objects for “missing someone”: tu me manques (you are missed by me)
- Also used in expressions like manquer un train (to miss a train) or ça ne me manque pas (I don’t miss it)
perdre
perdre means "to lose" and is used when someone loses possession of something, misses out on something (in the sense of losing), or wastes something.
Key uses of perdre
- Losing something physical or abstract: keys, money, time, matches, hope, etc.
- Losing (a game, a competition): perdre un match
- Wasting/losing (time, energy): perdre du temps
Conjugation (Present)
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Je | perds |
| Tu | perds |
| Il/Elle/On | perd |
| Nous | perdons |
| Vous | perdez |
| Ils/Elles | perdent |
Example sentences
- J’ai perdu mes clés.
- Elle perd toujours ses affaires.
- Nous avons perdu le match hier.
- Vous perdez trop de temps devant la télé.
'perdre' is used for losing things, jobs, matches, or time—not for missing someone or something.
`perdre` is used for losses and waste: hope, a bet, access, energy.
Incorrect uses for *perdre*
- Missing a train (use manquer)
- Missing a person (use manquer)
manquer
manquer means “to miss” in the sense of lacking, failing to attend, or feeling the absence of someone/something. It is also central to expressing emotional absence.
Key uses of manquer
- Missing someone (emotion): The person who feels the absence is the indirect object
- Missing something (an event, opportunity, object): failing to attend or catch something
- Something/someone is missing (lack of): Il manque du sucre (There’s no sugar)*
Conjugation (Present)
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Je | manque |
| Tu | manques |
| Il/Elle/On | manque |
| Nous | manquons |
| Vous | manquez |
| Ils/Elles | manquent |
Core Expression: Missing Someone
- To say "I miss you," literally it's "You are missing to me":
- Tu me manques (Literally: You are missing to me)
- [Person who feels the absence] + [Indirect Object Pronoun] + manquer + [Subject who is missed]
*manquer* covers missing (someone/something), being absent, or lacking.
The person you miss is the subject; you are the indirect object.
Examples for manquer
Missing someone (emotion):
- Tu me manques. (You are missing to me—I miss you.)
- Mes parents me manquent. (I miss my parents.)
Missing something (an opportunity, event):
- J’ai manqué le train. (I missed the train.)
- Elle a manqué la réunion. (She missed the meeting.)
Lacking (something is missing):
- Il manque du sel dans la recette. (There’s missing salt in the recipe.)
Use *manquer* for missing someone or something, or when something is lacking.
Yes, you can use *manquer* if you miss attending a sports event.
Conclusion
perdre expresses losing (perdre = to lose), while manquer conveys missing or lacking (manquer = to miss/be absent). Each verb covers unique situations, so choosing the right one is essential for clear communication.
- Use perdre for losing things, opportunities, or time.
- Use manquer for missing people emotionally, missing events, or noting that something is lacking.