Bedeutung
To stop or terminate an activity, a situation, or a relationship definitively.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In French professional culture, 'mettre un terme' is the standard phrase used in 'lettres de démission' (resignation letters) or 'licenciements' (firings). It maintains a level of 'froideur professionnelle' (professional coldness/distance) that is expected. While used in Quebec, you might also hear 'mettre fin à' more frequently in administrative contexts, though 'mettre un terme' remains perfectly understood and used in formal media. In international relations (Francophonie), this phrase is a staple of 'communiqués de presse' to announce the end of a crisis or a mission. Classical French authors like Balzac or Hugo used this phrase to describe the tragic end of a character's ambitions or life, giving it a slightly dramatic flair in literary contexts.
The 'Y' Trick
In conversation, use 'y' to avoid repeating the whole thing: 'Il faut y mettre un terme !' (We must put an end to it!)
Don't use for people
Never say 'Je mets un terme à toi.' Say 'Je mets un terme à notre relation.'
Bedeutung
To stop or terminate an activity, a situation, or a relationship definitively.
The 'Y' Trick
In conversation, use 'y' to avoid repeating the whole thing: 'Il faut y mettre un terme !' (We must put an end to it!)
Don't use for people
Never say 'Je mets un terme à toi.' Say 'Je mets un terme à notre relation.'
The Power Move
Using this phrase in a meeting instantly signals that you are taking control and closing the topic.
Contractual usage
When writing to a French company, this phrase is much more effective than 'Je veux arrêter.'
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'mettre' and the preposition.
Le gouvernement a décidé de ___ un terme ___ la grève.
We need the infinitive 'mettre' after 'décidé de' and the preposition 'à'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal resignation?
How would you say you are ending your contract?
'Mettre un terme à' is the standard formal register for contract termination.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Cette dispute dure depuis trop longtemps. B: Tu as raison, il est temps d'___.
The pronoun 'y' replaces 'à cette dispute'.
Match the action to the most likely context.
Mettre un terme à une audience.
An 'audience' in this context refers to a legal hearing.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLe gouvernement a décidé de ___ un terme ___ la grève.
We need the infinitive 'mettre' after 'décidé de' and the preposition 'à'.
How would you say you are ending your contract?
'Mettre un terme à' is the standard formal register for contract termination.
A: Cette dispute dure depuis trop longtemps. B: Tu as raison, il est temps d'___.
The pronoun 'y' replaces 'à cette dispute'.
Mettre un terme à une audience.
An 'audience' in this context refers to a legal hearing.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, significantly. 'Finir' is general, while 'mettre un terme' implies a formal or decisive conclusion.
No, that would sound strange. Use 'finir' or 'terminer' for books or movies.
They are almost identical. 'Mettre un terme' is slightly more literary and formal.
Often, yes. We usually 'mettre un terme' to problems, conflicts, or unwanted situations.
No, it is always 'à'.
Rarely. It's too formal for street slang.
Use 'avoir mis': 'J'ai mis un terme à mon contrat.'
Yes, it's a very common and clear way to announce a definitive breakup.
Yes, it's the standard phrase for ending projects or partnerships.
It means to complete something successfully, which is the opposite of 'mettre un terme à'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mettre fin à
synonymTo end something
Mettre un point final à
similarTo put a final stop to
Cesser
synonymTo cease
Résilier
specialized formTo cancel/terminate a contract
Achever
similarTo complete or finish off
