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B1 verb 10 Min. Lesezeit

enorgueillir

Beispiele enorgueillir in 30 Sekunden
Erklärung enorgueillir in your Level:
At the A1 level, the word 'enorgueillir' is very advanced and you likely won't need to use it. However, it is helpful to know that it is related to the word 'fier' (proud). If you see 's'enorgueillir' in a text, just think of it as a very fancy way of saying 'to be proud.' At this stage, focus on the basic phrase 'Je suis fier' (I am proud). For example, 'Je suis fier de mon travail.' You don't need to worry about the complex conjugation of 'enorgueillir' yet. Just remember that in French, there are different ways to talk about pride, and this one is for very important or formal things. If you ever hear it, it will probably be on the news or in a very formal speech. For now, stick to 'rendre fier' if you want to say something makes you proud. It is much easier and everyone will understand you.
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At the A2 level, you are starting to see more verbs that end in -ir. 'Enorgueillir' is one of those verbs, and it conjugates like 'finir' (je finis, nous finissons). Even though it's a bit formal, you might see it in short articles or on websites about French cities. For instance, a city might say it 's'enorgueillit' of its history. This means the city is very proud of its past. You should notice that it often has a 'se' in front of it (s'enorgueillir), which makes it a reflexive verb. This means 'to pride oneself.' You should also notice the word 'orgueil' inside it. 'Orgueil' is the noun for pride, but usually a stronger, more intense kind of pride than 'fierté.' If you want to impress your teacher, you can use 'rendre fier' instead, but keep 'enorgueillir' in the back of your mind for formal reading.
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At the B1 level, you should begin to recognize 'enorgueillir' as a formal alternative to 'rendre fier.' This is the level where you start distinguishing between 'registre courant' (everyday language) and 'registre soutenu' (formal language). 'Enorgueillir' belongs firmly in the formal category. You will see it used in literature and in professional contexts. For example, a company might use it in its mission statement: 'Notre entreprise s'enorgueillit de son innovation.' At this level, you should be able to conjugate it in the present tense (je m'enorgueillis, nous nous enorgueillissons) and understand its pronominal use with the preposition 'de.' It is also important to understand the nuance: while 'fier' is almost always positive, 'enorgueillir' can sometimes imply a bit of vanity because of its root 'orgueil.' Use it when you want to sound more professional in your writing.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use a variety of vocabulary and to understand subtle nuances. 'Enorgueillir' is a perfect word to add to your repertoire for the 'production écrite' (writing) part of the DELF B2 exam. Instead of repeating 'être fier' multiple times, you can use 's'enorgueillir de' to describe a country's achievements or a character's traits in a book analysis. You should be comfortable using it in different tenses, like the 'passé composé' (Il s'est enorgueilli de sa promotion) or the 'imparfait'. You should also be aware of its transitive use (Ce succès l'enorgueillit). At this level, you can also start comparing it with synonyms like 'se targuer de' or 'se glorifier de.' Understanding that 'enorgueillir' is more than just 'being proud'—it's about the act of instilling or taking a deep, sometimes grandiose pride—is key to using it correctly at this stage.
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At the C1 level, you should have a complete mastery of 'enorgueillir' and its stylistic implications. You will encounter it frequently in classical literature, philosophical essays, and high-level political discourse. You should be able to analyze why an author chose 's'enorgueillir' instead of 'se vanter' or 'être fier.' Often, it is used to evoke a sense of tradition, nobility, or a slightly arrogant self-satisfaction. You should also be familiar with the noun 'enorgueillissement' (the act of making proud or becoming proud), though it is rarer. In your own writing, use 'enorgueillir' to add weight and elegance to your arguments. For example, when discussing the French 'exception culturelle,' you might write that France 's'enorgueillit à juste titre de son soutien aux arts.' This shows you can handle the 'nuances de la langue' and the 'registre soutenu' required for advanced academic or professional communication in French.
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At the C2 level, 'enorgueillir' is a tool for precision and rhetorical effect. You understand its historical roots and its place in the 'grand siècle' of French literature. You can use it ironically to point out someone's misplaced vanity or sincerely to describe a profound sense of collective honor. You are aware of how the word functions in complex grammatical structures, such as within a 'subjonctif' clause after a verb of emotion (Bien qu'il s'enorgueillisse de ses titres, il reste humble). You can also distinguish it from very similar terms like 's'infatuer' or 'se prévaloir de.' At this level, your use of 'enorgueillir' should feel natural and not forced, integrated seamlessly into a sophisticated discourse. You might even use it in its more obscure passive forms or within archaic literary structures to achieve a specific stylistic goal, showing a deep appreciation for the evolution and the aesthetic of the French language.
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Beispiele

enorgueillir in 30 Sekunden

  • Enorgueillir is a formal French verb meaning 'to make proud.' It is more sophisticated than 'rendre fier'.
  • The reflexive form 's'enorgueillir de' means 'to take pride in' or 'to boast about' something.
  • It belongs to the second group of verbs (-ir), meaning it conjugates like 'finir' with 'iss' in the plural.
  • While often positive, it can carry a hint of arrogance due to its root 'orgueil' (pride/vanity).

The French verb enorgueillir is a sophisticated and somewhat formal term that translates to 'to make someone proud' or 'to fill with pride.' At its core, the word is derived from the noun orgueil, which means pride. Unlike the more common and neutral word fierté, orgueil often carries a connotation of vanity, arrogance, or an elevated sense of self-importance. Consequently, enorgueillir is frequently used to describe a success, an achievement, or an attribute that elevates a person's status or self-esteem to a high, sometimes excessive degree.

Literal Meaning
To instill pride (orgueil) into someone. It is the act of causing another person to feel a deep sense of satisfaction or superiority due to an external factor.
Pronominal Form
The reflexive form, s'enorgueillir (to take pride in), is actually more common in literature and high-level discourse. It means to boast or to be proud of something one has done or possesses.

Cette victoire éclatante vient enorgueillir toute la nation française après des années d'attente.

Translation: This brilliant victory fills the entire French nation with pride after years of waiting.

In contemporary French, you will encounter this word most often in written texts, formal speeches, or journalistic reporting. It is rarely used in casual conversation where 'rendre fier' is the standard choice. When a politician speaks about the history of their country, or when a critic reviews a masterpiece, they might use enorgueillir to convey a sense of nobility and weight. It suggests that the pride felt is not just a fleeting emotion but a fundamental enhancement of the subject's dignity. However, one must be careful; because of its root in orgueil, it can sometimes imply a lack of humility.

Il ne faut pas trop s'enorgueillir de ses succès éphémères.

Translation: One should not take too much pride in one's fleeting successes.

The nuance between 'fierté' and 'orgueil' is essential for mastering this word. While 'enorgueillir' is the verb form of 'orgueil', it has been partially rehabilitated in modern usage to simply mean 'to make very proud.' Yet, a shadow of the 'sin of pride' remains. In religious or philosophical contexts, enorgueillir might describe the process of becoming blinded by one's own success. In a positive light, a parent might be 'enorgueilli' by a child's prestigious award, implying the award is so great it adds to the family's honor. It is a word of grandiosity, suited for ceremonies and historical reflections.

Using enorgueillir correctly requires an understanding of its transitive and pronominal structures. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object: Quelque chose enorgueillit quelqu'un. This means that an event or a quality is the agent that produces pride in a person. It is a 'causative' emotion verb. For instance, 'Le succès de son fils l'enorgueillit' (His son's success makes him proud). Notice how the subject is the cause and the object is the person feeling the pride.

Transitive Structure
Subject (Cause) + enorgueillir + Object (Person). Example: Ses découvertes enorgueillissent la communauté scientifique.
Pronominal Structure
Subject + se + enorgueillir + de + Noun/Infinitive. Example: Elle s'enorgueillit de n'avoir jamais échoué.

La ville peut s'enorgueillir de posséder l'un des plus beaux musées du monde.

Translation: The city can boast of possessing one of the most beautiful museums in the world.

When using the pronominal form s'enorgueillir de, the preposition 'de' is mandatory. This is the version you will likely use if you are talking about what a company, a city, or an individual 'prides itself on.' It is synonymous with 'tirer vanité de' or 'être fier de,' but much more elegant. It is often used in the infinitive after modal verbs like 'pouvoir' or 'devoir.' For example, 'Nous pouvons nous enorgueillir de nos résultats.' (We can be proud of our results).

Leurs ancêtres les enorgueillissaient par leurs récits de bravoure.

Translation: Their ancestors filled them with pride through their tales of bravery.

In the passive voice, which is also quite common, we use 'être enorgueilli par.' For example, 'Il est enorgueilli par ses succès.' This emphasizes the state of the person rather than the action of making them proud. However, in modern French, the adjective 'orgueilleux' (proud/arrogant) or 'fier' (proud) is often preferred over the passive participle. To sound truly native, use the pronominal form s'enorgueillir to describe institutional pride. A company's website might say: 'Notre entreprise s'enorgueillit de son engagement écologique.' This sounds much more professional and established than using simple adjectives.

You are most likely to encounter enorgueillir in the realms of literature, high-level journalism, and official institutional communication. It is a word that belongs to the 'soutenu' (formal) register. If you are reading a classic novel by Victor Hugo or Gustave Flaubert, the characters will often s'enorgueillir of their lineage or their social standing. In these contexts, the word often carries a moral weight, suggesting a character's potential downfall due to their lack of humility.

Institutional Context
Found on the 'About Us' pages of prestigious French institutions, universities, or luxury brands. 'L'Université s'enorgueillit de ses cinq prix Nobel.'
Political Rhetoric
Used by politicians to evoke national dignity. 'La France doit s'enorgueillir de son héritage culturel.'

Le directeur s'enorgueillit d'avoir réduit l'empreinte carbone de l'usine de moitié.

Translation: The director prides himself on having reduced the factory's carbon footprint by half.

In the news, specifically in editorials or 'tribunes' (opinion pieces), enorgueillir is used to critique or praise collective identities. A journalist might write that a certain law 'enorgueillit la République,' meaning it reinforces the republic's values and makes its citizens proud. It is also common in the world of wine and gastronomy. A winemaker might say their estate s'enorgueillit of a specific vintage, emphasizing the prestige and the labor involved. It is a word of 'patrimoine' (heritage).

Cette petite commune s'enorgueillit d'avoir accueilli un poète célèbre au XIXe siècle.

Translation: This small town prides itself on having hosted a famous poet in the 19th century.

Finally, you might hear it in academic settings. A professor might describe how a certain scientific breakthrough enorgueillit the laboratory. It is a way to elevate the conversation above simple personal feelings ('être content') to a level of professional and historical achievement. If you use it in a French exam (like the DELF B2 or DALF C1), it will signal to the examiners that you have a sophisticated vocabulary and understand the nuances of formal registers.

The most frequent mistake learners make with enorgueillir is using it in the wrong register. Because it translates to 'to make proud,' English speakers often try to use it for everyday situations. Saying 'Ton dessin m'enorgueillit' to a five-year-old child sounds incredibly stiff and almost absurdly formal in French. In such cases, 'Je suis fier de ton dessin' or 'Ton dessin me fait plaisir' is much more natural. Reserved enorgueillir for grand, formal, or institutional contexts.

Register Mismatch
Using it in casual conversation. Correct: 'Je suis fier de toi.' Incorrect: 'Je m'enorgueillis de toi' (unless you are a king speaking to a knight).
Preposition Errors
Forgetting 'de' after the pronominal form. It must always be 's'enorgueillir DE quelque chose.'

Il s'enorgueillit de sa collection, pas *sa collection.

Correction: Always include the 'de' when using the reflexive form.

Another common error involves the spelling and pronunciation of the root 'orgueil.' The 'u' after the 'g' is there to keep the 'g' hard (like in 'game'), and the 'ueil' ending is pronounced like 'eye' in English but with a slightly more closed 'eu' sound. Many learners misspell it as 'enorgueiller' (mistaking it for a first-group verb) or 'enorguillir.' Remember it is an -ir verb. Consequently, the plural forms like 'nous nous enorgueillissons' can be a tongue-twister and a spelling challenge.

Ils s'enorgueillissent de leur patrimoine historique.

Note: The 'iss' reflects its status as a second-group verb.

Finally, be careful with the negative connotation. While s'enorgueillir can be positive (taking rightful pride), it can also mean 'to be full of oneself.' If you say someone 's'enorgueillit trop,' you are criticizing them for being arrogant. Context is key. If you want to avoid any hint of arrogance, stick to 'être fier de.' If you want to sound impressive and describe a legitimate source of honor, enorgueillir is your best choice.

To truly master enorgueillir, you should know its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. The most direct alternative is rendre fier. This is the neutral, everyday way to express the same idea. It has no negative baggage and is suitable for all registers. If you want to say something makes you proud in a casual setting, this is the phrase to use.

Rendre fier
The common equivalent. 'Tes progrès me rendent fier.' (Your progress makes me proud.)
Se glorifier de
Very similar to 's'enorgueillir de', but often with a stronger hint of boasting or seeking glory. It can be religious or very vain.
Se vanter de
To brag. This is more informal and usually negative. 'Il se vante de sa nouvelle voiture.' (He is bragging about his new car.)

L'athlète se targue d'avoir battu le record du monde.

Note: 'Se targuer de' is a great B2/C1 alternative meaning 'to claim with pride.'

Another interesting synonym is se pavaner, which means 'to strut' or 'to show off' like a peacock (un paon). This is much more visual and describes the physical behavior of someone who is enorgueilli. If enorgueillir is the internal feeling or the cause, se pavaner is the external manifestation. On the more positive side, honorer can sometimes be an alternative. 'Ce prix honore notre école' (This prize honors our school) is similar to 'Ce prix enorgueillit notre école,' but focuses on the respect rather than the pride.

Il ne faut pas tirer vanité de ses richesses.

Translation: One should not draw vanity (take pride) from one's wealth.

In summary, choose enorgueillir when you want to sound formal, literary, or institutional. Use rendre fier for friends and family. Use se vanter if you want to be critical of someone's bragging. Mastering these distinctions will help you navigate the complex social landscape of the French language, where the choice of a single verb can signal your level of education and your attitude toward the subject matter.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Mon travail me rend fier.

My work makes me proud.

A1 alternative using 'rendre fier'.

2

Je suis fier de toi.

I am proud of you.

A1 basic expression of pride.

3

C'est une grande fierté.

It is a great pride.

Using the noun 'fierté'.

4

Elle a un bon résultat.

She has a good result.

Simple context for pride.

5

Il est content de lui.

He is happy with himself.

Simple emotion.

6

Ma famille est fière.

My family is proud.

Subject + adjective.

7

Tu as bien travaillé.

You worked well.

Praise leading to pride.

8

C'est un beau succès.

It's a beautiful success.

Noun phrase.

1

Cette ville s'enorgueillit de son vieux château.

This city prides itself on its old castle.

Pronominal use of 's'enorgueillir'.

2

Il s'enorgueillit de sa nouvelle voiture.

He takes pride in his new car.

Reflexive verb with 'de'.

3

Le succès enorgueillit les joueurs.

Success makes the players proud.

Transitive use.

4

Elle ne veut pas s'enorgueillir trop vite.

She doesn't want to get proud too quickly.

Infinitive after 'vouloir'.

5

Nous nous enorgueillissons de nos traditions.

We take pride in our traditions.

Present tense plural form.

6

C'est un prix qui enorgueillit l'école.

It's a prize that makes the school proud.

Relative clause with 'qui'.

7

Ils s'enorgueillissent de leurs enfants.

They are proud of their children.

Third person plural.

8

Il s'enorgueillit de parler trois langues.

He prides himself on speaking three languages.

Pronominal + de + infinitive.

1

L'entreprise s'enorgueillit de son service client.

The company prides itself on its customer service.

Standard professional usage.

2

Son courage enorgueillit toute sa famille.

His courage fills his whole family with pride.

Transitive verb in a formal context.

3

Vous enorgueillissez-vous de vos origines ?

Do you take pride in your origins?

Interrogative reflexive form.

4

Il s'est enorgueilli de sa promotion.

He took pride in his promotion.

Passé composé with 'être'.

5

Ne vous enorgueillissez pas de vos richesses.

Do not take pride in your wealth.

Imperative negative form.

6

Cette découverte va enorgueillir le laboratoire.

This discovery will make the laboratory proud.

Future with 'aller'.

7

Elle s'enorgueillissait de sa patience.

She used to take pride in her patience.

Imparfait tense.

8

Il est facile de s'enorgueillir après une victoire.

It is easy to become proud after a victory.

Infinitive phrase.

1

La France s'enorgueillit de son patrimoine gastronomique.

France prides itself on its gastronomic heritage.

Usage in national/cultural context.

2

Il s'enorgueillit indûment de mérites qu'il n'a pas.

He takes undue pride in merits he does not have.

Use of adverb 'indûment' and negative connotation.

3

Ces exploits sportifs enorgueillissent la nation.

These sporting exploits fill the nation with pride.

Formal transitive usage.

4

Elle s'enorgueillit d'être la première femme à ce poste.

She prides herself on being the first woman in this position.

Pronominal + de + 'être'.

5

On ne doit pas s'enorgueillir de ce qui est dû au hasard.

One should not take pride in what is due to chance.

Philosophical usage.

6

Le pays peut s'enorgueillir de sa stabilité politique.

The country can pride itself on its political stability.

Modal verb 'pouvoir' + infinitive.

7

Leurs ancêtres les enorgueillissaient par leurs récits.

Their ancestors filled them with pride through their stories.

Imparfait transitive.

8

Il s'enorgueillit de n'avoir jamais menti.

He prides himself on never having lied.

Negation with infinitive.

1

L'auteur s'enorgueillit d'avoir renouvelé le genre poétique.

The author prides himself on having renewed the poetic genre.

Literary analysis context.

2

Cette institution s'enorgueillit à juste titre de son indépendance.

This institution rightly prides itself on its independence.

Use of the phrase 'à juste titre'.

3

Le monarque s'enorgueillissait de la splendeur de sa cour.

The monarch took pride in the splendor of his court.

Historical/literary register.

4

Il est vain de s'enorgueillir de titres purement honorifiques.

It is vain to take pride in purely honorary titles.

Abstract philosophical context.

5

Le savant ne s'enorgueillit point de ses découvertes.

The scholar takes no pride at all in his discoveries.

Use of 'ne... point' for high formal register.

6

La cité s'enorgueillit d'avoir résisté à l'envahisseur.

The city prides itself on having resisted the invader.

Historical pride context.

7

Son éloquence enorgueillit ses partisans.

His eloquence fills his supporters with pride.

Transitive use in political context.

8

Il s'enorgueillit de la pureté de sa lignée.

He takes pride in the purity of his lineage.

Archaic/social status context.

1

L'esprit humain s'enorgueillit de ses conquêtes sur la matière.

The human spirit prides itself on its conquests over matter.

Highly abstract/philosophical usage.

2

Elle s'enorgueillit d'un mépris souverain pour les conventions.

She prides herself on a sovereign contempt for conventions.

Complex literary structure.

3

Bien qu'il s'enorgueillisse de son savoir, il ignore l'essentiel.

Although he takes pride in his knowledge, he ignores the essential.

Subjunctive mood after 'bien que'.

4

Le poète s'enorgueillit d'avoir capturé l'ineffable.

The poet prides himself on having captured the ineffable.

Advanced vocabulary (ineffable).

5

Nul ne devrait s'enorgueillir d'une vertu qu'il n'a pas exercée.

No one should take pride in a virtue they have not practiced.

Moral maxim using 'nul'.

6

La nation s'enorgueillit de ce que ses fils ont accompli.

The nation prides itself on what its sons have accomplished.

Complex conjunction 'de ce que'.

7

Il s'enorgueillissait, non sans quelque arrogance, de sa fortune.

He took pride, not without some arrogance, in his fortune.

Parenthetical insertion for nuance.

8

Cette œuvre s'enorgueillit d'une complexité sans pareille.

This work prides itself on unparalleled complexity.

Personification of an object.

Häufige Kollokationen

S'enorgueillir de son succès
Enorgueillir la nation
S'enorgueillir d'un titre
Ne pas s'enorgueillir
S'enorgueillir de ses ancêtres
S'enorgueillir d'une découverte
Se laisser enorgueillir
S'enorgueillir de sa beauté
S'enorgueillir à juste titre
S'enorgueillir de son passé

Häufige Phrasen

S'enorgueillir de peu

— To be proud of very little. Used to describe someone easily satisfied or vain.

Il s'enorgueillit de peu, une simple mention suffit.

De quoi s'enorgueillir

— Something to be proud of. Often used in the negative.

Il n'y a pas de quoi s'enorgueillir ici.

S'enorgueillir de sa force

— To take pride in one's physical or mental strength.

L'athlète s'enorgueillit de sa force exceptionnelle.

S'enorgueillir de son silence

— To take pride in remaining silent or keeping a secret.

Il s'enorgueillit de son silence face à l'injustice.

S'enorgueillir d'une faute

— To perversely take pride in a mistake or a bad deed.

C'est triste de s'enorgueillir d'une telle faute.

S'enorgueillir d'avance

— To be proud before an achievement is actually finished.

Ne t'enorgueillis pas d'avance, la course n'est pas finie.

S'enorgueillir de ses relations

— To take pride in the important people one knows.

Il s'enorgueillit de ses relations dans le milieu politique.

S'enorgueillir de son savoir

— To take pride in one's knowledge or education.

Le professeur s'enorgueillit de son savoir encyclopédique.

S'enorgueillir de sa modestie

— An ironic phrase meaning to be proud of how humble one is.

Il s'enorgueillit paradoxalement de sa modestie.

S'enorgueillir de son indépendance

— To value and take pride in one's autonomy.

Elle s'enorgueillit de son indépendance financière.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"S'enorgueillir comme un paon"

— To be as proud as a peacock. Describes someone showing off excessively.

Depuis sa promotion, il s'enorgueillit comme un paon.

Informal
"L'orgueil précède la chute"

— Pride comes before a fall. A common proverb related to the root of the verb.

Fais attention, l'orgueil précède la chute.

Literary
"S'enorgueillir de plumes de paon"

— To take pride in someone else's achievements (literally 'peacock feathers').

Il s'enorgueillit des plumes de paon de son frère.

Literary
"N'avoir pas de quoi s'enorgueillir"

— To have nothing to be proud of; to have failed or acted poorly.

Après ce comportement, il n'a pas de quoi s'enorgueillir.

Neutral
"Se gorger d'orgueil"

— To be bursting with pride. A more vivid way to describe 's'enorgueillir'.

Il se gorge d'orgueil en recevant son prix.

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