French Prendre "to take"

Overview

Prendre means “to take” and is an irregular verb. Prendre is a verb with a lot of meanings. However, the most important ones will be mentioned in this lesson.

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Prendre, meaning “to take” is another common irregular verb. Below is the conjugation table with example sentences.

Subject PronounPrendreMeaningExampleTranslation
JeprendsI take I am takingJe prends le métro.I take the metro.
TuprendsYou take You are takingTu prends mon numéro de téléphone.You take my telephone number.
Il/Elle/OnprendHe/She/One takes He/She/On is takingElle prend la dernière chose.She takes the last thing.
NousprenonsWe take We are takingNous prenons un verre ce soir.We are having a drink tonight.
VousprenezYou take You are takingVous prenez votre chien au vétérinaire.You are taking your chien to the veterinarian.
Ils/EllesprennentThey take They are takingIls prennent leurs idées au chef.They take their ideas to the boss.

See the Quizlet module for expressions that use prendre.

Examples:

Mathieu et son frère prennent du poids pendant les vacances.

Matthew and his brother gain weight during vacation.

Lucile prend son temps quand elle fait son travail.

Lucile takes her time when she does her work.

Nous prenons à droite dans quelques minutes.

We are taking a right in a couple minutes.

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
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Spoken Production:
I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.
Spoken Interaction:
I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can’t usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself.
Reading:
I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.
Listening:
I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.