apprendre
/a.pʁɑ̃dʁ/
Definition
To learn something new, or to teach someone something. One of the most everyday verbs in French.
Example
Elle apprend le français avec une application.
Show translation
She is learning French with an app.
Etymology
From Old French *aprendre*, from Latin *apprehendere* ("to seize, grasp"), composed of *ad-* ("toward") + *prehendere* ("to take hold of"). The metaphor of "grasping" knowledge is ancient and shared with English *apprehend* and *comprehend*.
Cultural note
Watch out for a handy double meaning: *apprendre* can mean **to learn** ("j'apprends l'espagnol" – I'm learning Spanish) **or to teach** ("je t'apprends quelque chose" – I'm teaching you something). Context makes it clear. English speakers sometimes reach for *enseigner* when *apprendre* works perfectly: "ma mère m'a appris à cuisiner" (my mother taught me to cook).