WelcomeCoursesSign In

Apprendre vs Enseigner: to learn, to teach

AskQuestions

General Differences

In French, apprendre and enseigner are two verbs closely related to education but used from different perspectives. Apprendre means "to learn," focusing on the act of acquiring knowledge or skills by the learner. In contrast, enseigner means "to teach," focusing on the action of providing knowledge or instruction by the teacher.

Definitions

  • Apprendre: To acquire knowledge or to learn something.
  • Enseigner: To impart knowledge or to teach others.
These verbs correspond to the natural roles in education: apprendre describes the learner's perspective, and enseigner the teacher's.

Conceptual roles

Apprendre is from the perspective of the student or learner — the one receiving information. Enseigner is from the perspective of the teacher or instructor — the one providing instruction.

Perspective (learner vs teacher)

The use of apprendre focuses on what is being absorbed or acquired, while enseigner highlights the act of transmitting or conveying information.
Summary:
  • Apprendre = learning (learner's role)
  • Enseigner = teaching (teacher's role)

Apprendre: To Learn

Meaning and usage

Apprendre means to learn or to acquire knowledge. It is used when the subject receives information or a skill.

Typical subjects and objects

  • The subject is usually the person who is learning (e.g., je, tu, il).
  • The direct object can be a thing learned (language, skill, fact) or a person taught something (in reflexive or causative forms).

Reflexive form (s’apprendre)

There is a reflexive form s’apprendre which is comparatively rare and idiomatic, meaning to be learned or taught oneself.

Enseigner: To Teach

Meaning and usage

Enseigner means to teach or to instruct someone. The verb focuses on the person or institution conveying knowledge.

Subjects and direct objects

  • The subject is the teacher or instructor.
  • The direct object is usually the person being taught.
  • The content or subject taught is expressed with an indirect object or prepositional phrase.

Associated nouns (professeur, enseignant)

Associated professional nouns include professeur and enseignant, which both mean "teacher" or "instructor."

Verb Conjugation

Present tense of apprendre

  • Je apprends
  • Tu apprends
  • Il/elle apprend
  • Nous apprenons
  • Vous apprenez
  • Ils/elles apprennent

Present tense of enseigner

  • J’enseigne
  • Tu enseignes
  • Il/elle enseigne
  • Nous enseignons
  • Vous enseignez
  • Ils/elles enseignent

Past and future usage

Both verbs conjugate regularly in past tenses (passé composé with avoir), imperfect, and future. For example:
  • J’ai appris (I learned)
  • Il a enseigné (He taught)
  • Nous apprendrons (We will learn)
  • Vous enseignerez (You will teach)

Sentence Examples

Using apprendre in context

  • J’apprends le français. (I am learning French.)
  • Elle apprend à jouer du piano. (She is learning to play the piano.)

Using enseigner in context

  • Le professeur enseigne les mathématiques. (The teacher teaches mathematics.)
  • Ils enseignent aux enfants. (They teach children.)

Contrasted example sentences

  • Je apprends la grammaire. (I learn grammar.)
  • Le professeur enseigne la grammaire. (The teacher teaches grammar.)

Grammatical Notes

Prepositions with apprendre

  • Apprendre can be used directly with the object (language, skill).
  • For learning from someone, apprendre de is used.
  • It can be followed by an infinitive (learn to do something).

Prepositions with enseigner

  • Enseigner generally takes a direct object (the person taught).
  • The subject taught is introduced with à + infinitive or le/la + noun.

Differences in object construction

  • Apprendre focuses on the knowledge/skill as a direct object.
  • Enseigner focuses on the person receiving instruction as a direct object.

Related Vocabulary

Teacher-related terms

  • Professeur — teacher
  • Enseignant — instructor
  • Maître — school teacher (often primary)
  • Formateur — trainer

Learning-related terms

  • Étudier — to study
  • Comprendre — to understand
  • S’instruire — to educate oneself

Educational settings vocabulary

  • École — school
  • Collège — middle school
  • Lycée — high school
  • Université — university

Common Confusions

When to use apprendre vs enseigner

  • Use apprendre when describing the learner’s acquisition of knowledge.
  • Use enseigner when describing the act of teaching or instructing.

Expressing the act of learning vs instructing

  • Learning is receiving: J’apprends.
  • Teaching is giving: J’enseigne.

Idiomatic expressions

  • Apprendre par cœur — to learn by heart.
  • Apprendre une leçon — to learn a lesson.
  • Enseigner quelque chose à quelqu’un — to teach something to someone.

Cultural Context

French education system references

  • Teachers (enseignants, professeurs) deliver lessons (cours).
  • Students apprennent in schools at école, collège, lycée levels.

Formal vs informal teaching situations

  • Enseigner is generally formal, used in schools or structured settings.
  • Apprendre is used in all learning contexts.

Usage in everyday conversation

  • Apprendre is common when discussing personal learning.
  • Enseigner appears more when describing teaching roles or professions.

Summary and Tips

Quick reminders for learners

  • Apprendre = to learn (receiver)
  • Enseigner = to teach (giver)

Mnemonics to differentiate verbs

  • Both start with en- sounds, but en-seigner = "en-sign" for marking or instructing; ap-prendre = "apprehend" knowledge.

Practice recommendations

  • Practice conjugating both verbs regularly.
  • Use contrast sentences to reinforce roles.
  • Read and listen to contexts showing learning vs teaching.

Exercises

References



Loco

More French Content



Join Today

Enter your email for updates and access.

or


Loco