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A2 verb #1,200 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

entendre

Top 1,200

At the A1 beginner level, the verb 'entendre' is introduced as one of the fundamental sensory verbs, alongside 'voir' (to see) and 'manger' (to eat). The primary focus is on its most literal translation: 'to hear'. Beginners learn to use it to describe basic auditory perceptions in their immediate environment. For example, 'J'entends un chien' (I hear a dog) or 'J'entends la musique' (I hear the music). The conjugation in the present tense is a key learning point, as it is a regular '-re' verb. Students memorize: j'entends, tu entends, il/elle entend, nous entendons, vous entendez, ils/elles entendent. A crucial part of A1 learning is distinguishing 'entendre' from 'écouter' (to listen). Teachers emphasize that 'entendre' is passive—sound entering your ears without effort—while 'écouter' is active. Simple negative sentences are also practiced, such as 'Je n'entends pas' (I don't hear) or 'Je n'entends rien' (I hear nothing), which are highly useful for classroom communication when a student cannot hear the teacher or an audio recording. The focus remains strictly on the literal, physical act of hearing, laying the groundwork for more complex uses in later stages.

At the A2 elementary level, learners expand their use of 'entendre' beyond simple present tense statements. They begin to use it in the passé composé to recount past events: 'J'ai entendu un bruit bizarre hier soir' (I heard a weird noise last night). This introduces the past participle 'entendu'. A major addition at this level is the introduction of the pronominal form 's'entendre' to describe relationships. Students learn to say 'Je m'entends bien avec mon frère' (I get along well with my brother) or 'Ils ne s'entendent pas' (They don't get along). This is a significant step, as it moves the verb from a purely physical sense to an interpersonal one. Furthermore, A2 learners encounter the expression 'bien entendu', meaning 'of course' or 'naturally', which is a staple of everyday conversational French. They also start using 'entendre' with an infinitive verb, such as 'J'entends les oiseaux chanter' (I hear the birds singing), learning how to construct sentences with verbs of perception. The vocabulary around 'entendre' grows to include common adverbs like 'bien' (well) and 'mal' (poorly), allowing for more descriptive communication about hearing abilities and relationships.

At the B1 intermediate level, the usage of 'entendre' becomes significantly more nuanced and idiomatic. Learners are introduced to the construction 'entendre parler de' (to hear about), which is essential for discussing news, rumors, or media. For example, 'As-tu entendu parler du nouveau film ?' (Have you heard about the new movie?). They also learn 'entendre dire que' (to hear that), used with a subordinate clause: 'J'ai entendu dire qu'il va pleuvoir' (I heard that it's going to rain). The figurative meaning of 'entendre' as 'to understand' or 'to mean' is explored. Phrases like 'Qu'est-ce que tu entends par là ?' (What do you mean by that?) become part of the student's active vocabulary, allowing for deeper discussions and clarifications. The standalone use of 'Entendu !' to mean 'Agreed!' or 'Understood!' is practiced in role-plays involving making plans or accepting instructions. Grammatically, B1 students practice using 'entendre' in the imparfait (j'entendais) for ongoing past actions and the futur simple (j'entendrai) for predictions. The distinction between 'entendre' and 'écouter' is reinforced, especially in more complex contexts where the line between passive hearing and active listening might seem blurred to an English speaker.

At the B2 upper-intermediate level, students are expected to use 'entendre' with high fluency and precision across a wide range of contexts. They master the causative construction 'se faire entendre', meaning 'to make oneself heard', which is useful in discussions about politics, protests, or asserting oneself in a group: 'Les citoyens veulent se faire entendre' (The citizens want to make themselves heard). The use of 'entendre' in formal and professional settings is emphasized, such as 'J'entends vos arguments' (I hear/understand your arguments) during a debate or negotiation. B2 learners also delve into more complex grammatical structures, including the subjunctive mood after expressions of necessity or emotion involving hearing, though 'entendre' itself rarely triggers the subjunctive unless used in specific negative or interrogative constructions. They become comfortable with the agreement of the past participle in pronominal verbs, correctly writing 'Elles se sont bien entendues' (They got along well, feminine plural). Idiomatic expressions like 'à bon entendeur, salut' (a word to the wise is enough) are introduced to enrich their cultural and linguistic repertoire, allowing them to sound more like native speakers in argumentative or persuasive discourse.

At the C1 advanced level, the mastery of 'entendre' involves a deep understanding of its subtleties, literary uses, and specialized contexts. Learners encounter the verb in legal or administrative jargon, where 'entendre' means 'to audition' or 'to formally question a witness' (e.g., 'Le juge a entendu le suspect'). They appreciate the stylistic choice of using 'entendre' over 'comprendre' to express a nuanced, empathetic understanding of someone's position rather than just factual comprehension. C1 students are comfortable with archaic or highly formal derivatives, such as the noun 'l'entendement' (understanding/intellect) or the old verb 'ouïr', recognizing them in classic literature or fixed expressions like 'ouï-dire' (hearsay). They can effortlessly navigate complex sentences where 'entendre' is used with double pronouns or in passive voice constructions. The focus is on precision: knowing exactly when 's'entendre sur quelque chose' (to agree on something) is more appropriate than 'être d'accord'. At this level, 'entendre' is fully integrated into the learner's linguistic intuition, used flawlessly in debates, academic writing, and sophisticated social interactions without hesitation or confusion with 'écouter'.

At the C2 mastery level, the use of 'entendre' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. The learner possesses a complete command of all its semantic shades, from the most visceral physical perception to the most abstract intellectual comprehension. They can play with the verb's meanings for rhetorical effect, using puns or double entendres (a term itself derived from French, though used differently in English). In literary analysis or philosophical discussions, a C2 speaker can discuss the concept of 'l'entendement' in Cartesian philosophy or analyze how an author uses auditory imagery. They are fully aware of regional variations or colloquialisms involving the verb, though they know when to avoid them in formal registers. They can effortlessly deploy complex, rare grammatical structures, such as the past anterior or the imperfect subjunctive of 'entendre' (que j'entendisse), should the literary context demand it. At this ultimate stage of proficiency, 'entendre' is not just a vocabulary word to be translated, but a conceptual tool used to articulate complex thoughts about perception, agreement, interpersonal harmony, and the very nature of human understanding.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

entendre in 30 Sekunden

To perceive sound (to hear).
To get along with someone (s'entendre).
To understand or mean something.
Agreed or of course (entendu / bien entendu).

The French verb entendre primarily translates to 'to hear' in English. It is one of the most fundamental sensory verbs in the French language, used to describe the involuntary action of perceiving sound through the ears. Unlike 'écouter' (to listen), which implies a deliberate and conscious effort to pay attention to a sound, 'entendre' happens naturally, often without the subject's active intention. Understanding this distinction is crucial for mastering French, as English speakers frequently confuse the two. Furthermore, 'entendre' has evolved to encompass several figurative meanings, most notably 'to understand' or 'to comprehend' in certain contexts, and when used in its pronominal form, 's'entendre', it means 'to get along' with someone.

Literal Meaning: To perceive sound with the ears involuntarily. Example: J'entends un chien aboyer (I hear a dog barking).

Je crois entendre quelqu'un frapper à la porte.

Figurative Meaning: To understand or to mean. Example: Qu'entendez-vous par là ? (What do you mean by that?)

J'entends bien ce que tu dis, mais je ne suis pas d'accord.

In everyday conversation, you will frequently encounter the past participle 'entendu', which is used as an interjection meaning 'agreed' or 'understood'. This is a very common way to confirm that a plan has been made or an instruction has been received. The reflexive form, 's'entendre', is equally ubiquitous. When two people 's'entendent bien', they get along well. This shifts the focus from auditory perception to emotional or interpersonal harmony. It is fascinating how a verb rooted in physical sensation extends into the realm of human relationships and cognitive comprehension.

Pronominal Usage: S'entendre (avec quelqu'un) means to get along with someone. Example: Je m'entends bien avec mon frère.

Ils ne peuvent pas s'entendre sur ce projet.

C'est entendu, nous nous verrons demain à huit heures.

As-tu entendu parler de la nouvelle loi ?

Another highly frequent construction is 'entendre parler de', which translates to 'to hear about' something or someone. This is used when you receive news or information indirectly. For example, 'J'ai entendu parler de ce film' means 'I have heard about this movie'. Mastering these nuances transforms 'entendre' from a simple vocabulary word into a versatile tool for expressing perception, agreement, comprehension, and interpersonal dynamics.

Using 'entendre' correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its conjugation pattern and the prepositions it commonly pairs with. 'Entendre' is a regular '-re' verb, which means it follows a predictable pattern in the present tense: j'entends, tu entends, il/elle/on entend, nous entendons, vous entendez, ils/elles entendent. Notice that the singular forms (je, tu, il) drop the final 're' and add 's', 's', and nothing, respectively. The pronunciation of 'j'entends', 'tu entends', and 'il entend' is identical, ending in a nasal vowel sound without pronouncing the final consonants. This makes listening comprehension reliant on context and subject pronouns.

Present Tense: Used for current perception. Example: J'entends la musique (I hear the music).

Nous entendons les oiseaux chanter chaque matin.

Passé Composé: Formed with the auxiliary 'avoir' and the past participle 'entendu'. Example: J'ai entendu un bruit (I heard a noise).

Avez-vous entendu ce qu'il a dit ?

A very common grammatical structure involving 'entendre' is its use followed directly by an infinitive verb. For instance, 'J'entends les enfants jouer' (I hear the children playing). In this structure, 'entendre' acts as a verb of perception, and the following infinitive describes the action being perceived. This is much more common in French than using a present participle (playing) as we do in English. Another crucial structure is 'entendre dire que', which means 'to hear (it said) that'. This is used for rumors or indirect information.

Entendre dire que: To hear a rumor or piece of news. Example: J'ai entendu dire qu'il va démissionner.

Elle a entendu dire que le magasin était fermé.

Je ne m'entends pas du tout avec mon nouveau collègue.

Faites-vous entendre si vous avez besoin d'aide.

Finally, consider the expression 'se faire entendre', which means 'to make oneself heard'. This is often used in contexts where someone needs to speak up or assert themselves in a noisy or difficult situation. By mastering these various sentence structures—from basic perception to complex pronominal and causative forms—you will be able to use 'entendre' with the fluency and nuance of a native French speaker.

The verb 'entendre' is ubiquitous in the French-speaking world, permeating every level of society and every type of discourse. You will hear it constantly in daily life, from casual conversations on the street to formal news broadcasts. In a bustling Parisian café, you might hear someone say, 'Je ne t'entends pas avec tout ce bruit !' (I can't hear you with all this noise!). In a professional setting, a manager might use it to confirm comprehension: 'J'entends bien vos inquiétudes' (I hear/understand your concerns). Its versatility makes it a cornerstone of effective communication in French.

Everyday Conversation: Used to check audio connection or express inability to hear. Example: Tu m'entends bien au téléphone ?

Allô ? Tu m'entends ? La connexion est mauvaise.

News and Media: Used to report on statements or rumors. Example: On a entendu dire que le président parlerait ce soir.

Les manifestants veulent se faire entendre par le gouvernement.

Beyond literal hearing, 'entendre' is deeply embedded in idiomatic expressions that you will encounter in literature, films, and everyday idioms. For instance, the phrase 'à bon entendeur, salut' is a classic proverb meaning 'a word to the wise is enough' (literally: to the good hearer, greetings). You will also hear 'entendu' used as a standalone adjective meaning 'agreed' or 'understood', functioning much like 'd'accord'. When making plans, a simple 'C'est entendu' finalizes the arrangement perfectly.

Interpersonal Relationships: Discussing how people get along. Example: Les deux frères s'entendent à merveille.

Je n'ai jamais entendu une chose pareille !

Bien entendu, je serai là pour t'aider.

Il ne veut rien entendre à ce sujet.

In arguments or stubborn situations, you might hear 'Il ne veut rien entendre', which means 'He won't listen to reason' or 'He refuses to hear anything about it'. This highlights the cognitive aspect of the verb, where hearing equates to accepting or considering an idea. Whether you are navigating a noisy metro station, negotiating a contract, or simply chatting with friends, 'entendre' is a verb that will constantly echo in your French immersion experience.

The most prevalent mistake English speakers make with 'entendre' is confusing it with 'écouter'. Because English uses 'to hear' and 'to listen' in specific ways that don't always perfectly align with French, learners often swap them. Remember the golden rule: 'entendre' is a passive, involuntary action (a sound reaches your ears), whereas 'écouter' is an active, voluntary action (you direct your attention to a sound). If you say 'J'entends la radio', it means the radio is on and the sound is reaching you, perhaps from another room. If you say 'J'écoute la radio', it means you are actively paying attention to the broadcast.

Mistake: Active vs Passive: Using 'entendre' when you mean to actively listen. Incorrect: J'entends le professeur. Correct: J'écoute le professeur.

Je l'ai entendu crier, alors je suis allé voir.

Mistake: Preposition Confusion: Saying 'entendre à' instead of 'entendre parler de' for 'hearing about'. Incorrect: J'ai entendu à ce livre. Correct: J'ai entendu parler de ce livre.

Nous n'avons jamais entendu parler de cette règle.

Another frequent error involves the construction 'entendre dire que' (to hear that) versus 'entendre parler de' (to hear about). You use 'entendre dire que' when it is followed by a full clause (a subject and a verb). For example, 'J'ai entendu dire qu'il pleuvra demain' (I heard that it will rain tomorrow). You use 'entendre parler de' when it is followed by a noun. For example, 'J'ai entendu parler de ce restaurant' (I heard about this restaurant). Mixing these up leads to grammatically incorrect and awkward sentences.

Mistake: Conjugation: Forgetting the 's' on the 'tu' form in the present tense. Incorrect: Tu entend. Correct: Tu entends.

Est-ce que tu m'entends quand je te parle ?

Ils s'entendent comme chien et chat.

Elles se sont bien entendues dès le premier jour.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the figurative meaning of 'entendre' as 'to understand'. While 'comprendre' is the standard word for 'to understand', 'entendre' is used in specific contexts, usually to indicate that you grasp someone's perspective or intention. 'J'entends bien' means 'I see your point' or 'I understand what you mean'. Using 'entendre' instead of 'comprendre' for basic factual comprehension (like understanding a math problem) sounds unnatural. Reserve 'entendre' for understanding nuances, opinions, or underlying meanings.

While 'entendre' is the primary verb for hearing, the French language offers several nuanced alternatives depending on the exact nature of the auditory perception or the level of formality. The most obvious counterpart is 'écouter' (to listen), which, as discussed, implies active attention. However, there are other verbs that capture different shades of meaning. For instance, 'percevoir' means to perceive, and can be used for faint or indistinct sounds. 'J'ai perçu un murmure' (I perceived a whisper) sounds more literary and precise than simply saying 'J'ai entendu un murmure'.

Écouter: To listen actively. Use this when you are paying attention to music, a speaker, or instructions.

Il faut écouter avant de parler, mais on ne peut pas s'empêcher d'entendre.

Ouïr: An archaic or highly literary verb meaning to hear. You will mostly see it in classic literature or fixed expressions like 'ouï-dire' (hearsay).

C'est par ouï-dire que j'ai entendu cette rumeur.

When 'entendre' is used in the sense of 'to understand', its main synonym is 'comprendre'. However, 'saisir' (literally to grab or seize) is an excellent alternative that means 'to grasp' a concept or a meaning. 'Je ne saisis pas bien votre idée' is a sophisticated way of saying 'I don't quite understand your idea'. If you want to express agreement, instead of saying 'C'est entendu', you could say 'D'accord', 'Ça marche', or 'C'est noté' (It's noted). Expanding your vocabulary with these alternatives will make your French sound much richer and more natural.

Comprendre: To understand. The most common synonym for the figurative use of entendre.

Je comprends votre point de vue, j'entends vos arguments.

Il a du mal à entendre la vérité, il refuse de la saisir.

Nous nous entendons bien, nous avons tout de suite sympathisé.

In summary, while 'entendre' is an essential building block of French vocabulary, knowing when to swap it for 'écouter', 'percevoir', 'comprendre', or 'saisir' demonstrates a higher level of language mastery. It shows that you are not just translating from English, but actively choosing the French word that best fits the specific context, intention, and nuance of the situation.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

"J'entends bien vos préoccupations concernant ce dossier."

Neutral

"J'ai entendu un bruit dans la cuisine."

Informell

"T'entends ce qu'il dit ? C'est n'importe quoi."

Child friendly

"Est-ce que tu entends le petit oiseau qui chante ?"

Umgangssprache

"Je pige que dalle, j'entends rien à son charabia."

Wusstest du?

Because 'entendre' originally meant 'to direct one's attention' or 'to intend', we still see traces of this in English words derived from the same Latin root, like 'intend' and 'intent'. This also explains why 'entendre' in French can mean 'to understand' or 'to mean' (as in 'qu'entendez-vous par là ?').

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɑ̃.tɑ̃dʁ/

US /ɑ̃.tɑ̃dʁ/

en-TENDRE (Stress is slightly on the final pronounced syllable, typical of French).

Reimt sich auf

attendre défendre descendre fendre pendre rendre tendre vendre

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'n's. In French, 'en' is a nasal vowel, so your tongue should not touch the roof of your mouth to make an 'n' sound.
Pronouncing the final 're' too heavily. It should be a very soft, almost whispered sound at the back of the throat.
Confusing the present tense conjugations. 'J'entends', 'tu entends', and 'il entend' are all pronounced exactly the same: /ɑ̃.tɑ̃/ (ahn-tahn). The final 's' and 'd' are completely silent.
Mispronouncing the past participle 'entendu'. The final 'u' is the tight French 'u' (pursed lips), not an English 'oo' sound.
Failing to make the liaison. In 'ils entendent', the 's' of 'ils' links to the 'e' of 'entendent', making a 'z' sound: /il.zɑ̃.tɑ̃d/.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Very common verb, easily recognized. The only difficulty is distinguishing the figurative meanings (to understand) from the literal (to hear) based on context.

Schreiben 3/5

Conjugation is regular for '-re' verbs, but learners often forget the 's' on 'tu entends' or misspell the past participle 'entendu'.

Sprechen 3/5

Pronouncing the nasal vowels correctly without sounding the 'n' can be tricky for English speakers.

Hören 4/5

Because 'j'entends', 'tu entends', and 'il entend' sound exactly the same, learners must rely entirely on the pronoun to know who is hearing.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

écouter voir comprendre un bruit une oreille

Als Nächstes lernen

s'entendre un malentendu bien entendu percevoir saisir

Fortgeschritten

un sous-entendu l'entendement ouïr une mésentente se faire entendre

Wichtige Grammatik

Regular -RE verb conjugation in the present tense.

Je vends, tu vends, il vend (similar to j'entends, tu entends, il entend).

Verbs of perception followed by an infinitive.

Je vois les enfants jouer / J'entends les enfants jouer.

Agreement of the past participle with pronominal verbs (être).

Elles se sont bien entendues (The 's' reflects the feminine plural subject).

Causative construction with 'faire'.

Il se fait couper les cheveux / Il se fait entendre.

Difference between 'parler de' (noun) and 'dire que' (clause).

J'entends parler du film / J'entends dire qu'il est bon.

Beispiele nach Niveau

J'entends un chien.

I hear a dog.

Present tense, first person singular. 'Entends' ends with an 's'.

Tu entends la musique ?

Do you hear the music?

Question in the present tense using informal 'tu'.

Il entend un bruit.

He hears a noise.

Third person singular. Notice 'entend' ends with a 'd', no 's'.

Nous entendons le train.

We hear the train.

First person plural. Ends in '-ons'.

Vous entendez le professeur ?

Do you hear the teacher?

Second person plural/formal. Ends in '-ez'.

Ils entendent la voiture.

They hear the car.

Third person plural. Ends in '-ent' (silent).

Je n'entends pas bien.

I don't hear well.

Negative structure: ne + verb + pas.

Elle n'entend rien.

She hears nothing.

Negative structure using 'rien' (nothing) instead of 'pas'.

J'ai entendu une belle chanson.

I heard a beautiful song.

Passé composé with auxiliary 'avoir'.

As-tu entendu ce bruit ?

Did you hear that noise?

Inversion question in the passé composé.

Je m'entends bien avec lui.

I get along well with him.

Pronominal verb 's'entendre' meaning to get along.

Ils ne s'entendent pas du tout.

They don't get along at all.

Negative pronominal verb.

C'est entendu, à demain !

Agreed, see you tomorrow!

'Entendu' used as an adjective/interjection meaning agreed.

Bien entendu, je vais t'aider.

Of course, I will help you.

'Bien entendu' is a fixed phrase meaning 'of course'.

J'entends les enfants jouer.

I hear the children playing.

Verb of perception followed by an infinitive.

Nous avons entendu la nouvelle.

We heard the news.

Passé composé with a direct object.

J'ai entendu parler de ce livre.

I have heard about this book.

'Entendre parler de' + noun = to hear about something.

Elle a entendu dire qu'il est malade.

She heard that he is sick.

'Entendre dire que' + clause = to hear a rumor/news that...

Qu'est-ce que tu entends par là ?

What do you mean by that?

Figurative use meaning 'to mean' or 'to imply'.

Je n'entendais rien à cause du vent.

I couldn't hear anything because of the wind.

Imparfait tense for a continuous state in the past.

Quand j'entendrai mon nom, j'irai.

When I hear my name, I will go.

Futur simple used after 'quand'.

Ils se sont bien entendus hier.

They got along well yesterday.

Passé composé of a pronominal verb. Auxiliary is 'être'.

Fais-toi entendre !

Make yourself heard!

Imperative form of the causative 'se faire entendre'.

Je veux que tu m'entendes.

I want you to hear me.

Subjunctive mood triggered by 'Je veux que'.

Il est difficile de se faire entendre dans ce brouhaha.

It is difficult to make oneself heard in this hubbub.

Causative construction 'se faire' + infinitive.

J'entends bien vos arguments, mais je refuse.

I hear your arguments, but I refuse.

Figurative use: 'entendre' meaning to comprehend/acknowledge a point.

Nous nous sommes entendus sur le prix.

We agreed on the price.

'S'entendre sur' means to reach an agreement about something.

C'est un sous-entendu très clair.

It's a very clear innuendo/implication.

Noun derived from the past participle, meaning an underlying meaning.

À bon entendeur, salut !

A word to the wise is enough!

Classic proverb using the noun 'entendeur' (hearer).

Je n'entends pas qu'on me parle sur ce ton.

I won't have/tolerate being spoken to in that tone.

Formal/literary use meaning 'to intend' or 'to tolerate', followed by subjunctive.

Elles s'étaient toujours bien entendues avant cette dispute.

They had always gotten along well before this argument.

Plus-que-parfait (past perfect) of a pronominal verb.

Il a fait la sourde oreille pour ne pas l'entendre.

He turned a deaf ear so as not to hear it.

Idiomatic expression combined with the infinitive.

Le tribunal a entendu les témoins de la défense.

The court heard the defense witnesses.

Legal context: 'entendre' means to formally question or audition.

Il n'entend rien à la musique classique.

He knows nothing about classical music.

'N'entendre rien à' means to have no knowledge or understanding of a subject.

C'est une clause qui s'entend de manière stricte.

It is a clause that is to be understood strictly.

Passive pronominal usage meaning 'is understood as'.

J'entends que ce travail soit terminé d'ici ce soir.

I expect/intend for this work to be finished by tonight.

Highly formal use meaning 'to demand' or 'to intend', triggering the subjunctive.

Leur mésentente était évidente pour tous.

Their disagreement/discord was obvious to everyone.

Noun 'mésentente' derived from 'entendre', meaning bad relationship.

Il a agi ainsi, ou du moins c'est ce qu'il laisse entendre.

He acted that way, or at least that's what he implies.

'Laisser entendre' means to imply or suggest.

Quoi qu'on en entende dire, la situation s'améliore.

Whatever one might hear said about it, the situation is improving.

Subjunctive 'entende' in a concessive clause.

Ils se sont entendus comme larrons en foire.

They got on like a house on fire (thick as thieves).

Advanced idiom meaning to get along extremely well, often for mischief.

Il est doué d'un entendement hors du commun.

He is endowed with an extraordinary intellect/understanding.

Use of the philosophical/literary noun 'entendement'.

Je n'ouïs jamais pareille sottise !

I never heard such nonsense!

Use of the archaic verb 'ouïr' in the passé simple for literary effect.

C'est un malentendu fâcheux qui a ruiné leur amitié.

It's an unfortunate misunderstanding that ruined their friendship.

Noun 'malentendu' (misunderstanding).

Il l'a dit à demi-mot, mais j'ai su l'entendre.

He said it implicitly, but I knew how to understand it.

Poetic/nuanced use of 'entendre' for deep comprehension.

Entendons-nous bien : je ne tolérerai aucun retard.

Let's be clear (understand each other): I will tolerate no delay.

Imperative pronominal used to set firm boundaries.

La symphonie donnait à entendre des dissonances audacieuses.

The symphony offered bold dissonances to be heard.

Literary construction 'donner à entendre' (to offer to the ear).

Que j'entendisse ou non ses plaintes, ma décision était prise.

Whether I heard his complaints or not, my decision was made.

Imperfect subjunctive 'entendisse' in a highly formal literary sentence.

C'est une vérité qui s'entend d'elle-même.

It is a truth that is self-evident.

Pronominal use meaning 'is understood without explanation'.

Häufige Kollokationen

entendre un bruit

entendre parler de

entendre dire que

s'entendre bien

mal s'entendre

laisser entendre

se faire entendre

entendre raison

bien entendu

c'est entendu

Häufige Phrasen

Bien entendu

C'est entendu

Entendre parler de

Entendre dire que

S'entendre comme chien et chat

Faire la sourde oreille

À bon entendeur, salut

Ne rien vouloir entendre

Laisser entendre que

S'entendre sur quelque chose

Wird oft verwechselt mit

entendre vs écouter

'Écouter' is active (to listen). 'Entendre' is passive (to hear). You listen to music (écouter), but you hear a loud crash (entendre).

entendre vs comprendre

While 'entendre' can mean to understand, 'comprendre' is the standard, universal word for comprehension. Use 'entendre' for understanding a perspective or argument.

entendre vs attendre

'Attendre' means 'to wait'. Because they look and sound similar (both are -re verbs ending in 'tendre'), learners often mix them up. J'attends = I wait. J'entends = I hear.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"À bon entendeur, salut"

A warning meaning 'a word to the wise is enough'. It implies that the person listening should heed the advice or warning given.

Si vous trichez, vous serez renvoyé. À bon entendeur, salut !

neutral

"S'entendre comme larrons en foire"

To get along extremely well, often with a connotation of being thick as thieves or plotting together.

Dès le premier jour, ils se sont entendus comme larrons en foire.

informal

"Faire la sourde oreille"

To turn a deaf ear; to pretend not to hear or to deliberately ignore someone.

Quand je lui demande de ranger sa chambre, il fait la sourde oreille.

neutral

"Il n'y a pire sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre"

There is none so deaf as those who will not hear. People who refuse to accept the truth cannot be convinced.

J'ai beau lui expliquer les risques, il n'y a pire sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre.

formal

"Entendre les mouches voler"

To be able to hear a pin drop. Used to describe absolute silence in a room.

Pendant l'examen, on pouvait entendre les mouches voler.

neutral

"Ne pas entendre malice"

To mean no harm; to not have bad intentions behind a statement or action.

C'était juste une blague, je n'y entendais aucune malice.

formal

"Entendre de quelle oreille on se chauffe"

To show someone what one is capable of, usually in a threatening or assertive way. (Rare/Literary)

S'il continue à m'insulter, il va voir de quelle oreille je me chauffe.

informal

"Prêcher dans le désert (ne pas être entendu)"

To preach in the desert; to speak without anyone listening or caring.

J'essaie de les convaincre de recycler, mais j'ai l'impression de prêcher dans le désert.

neutral

"Un sous-entendu"

An innuendo or an underlying, unspoken meaning. (Noun derived from the verb).

Sa remarque était pleine de sous-entendus désagréables.

neutral

"Entendre raison"

To listen to reason; to finally accept a logical argument after being stubborn.

Après des heures de discussion, il a fini par entendre raison.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

entendre vs écouter

Both relate to perceiving sound. English speakers often use 'listen' and 'hear' interchangeably in casual speech, leading to errors in French.

'Écouter' requires intention and effort. 'Entendre' happens naturally as long as your ears function.

J'écoute le professeur, mais je n'entends pas bien à cause du bruit.

entendre vs attendre

Spelling and pronunciation are very similar. Both are regular -re verbs.

'Attendre' means to wait for time to pass or for someone to arrive. 'Entendre' is about sound.

J'attends le bus et j'entends son moteur au loin.

entendre vs comprendre

'Entendre' can sometimes mean 'to understand', just like 'comprendre'.

'Comprendre' is for general understanding (facts, language, math). 'Entendre' is for acknowledging a point of view or an implied meaning.

Je comprends la leçon. J'entends vos inquiétudes.

entendre vs ouïr

Both mean 'to hear'.

'Ouïr' is archaic and almost never used in modern spoken French, except in fixed phrases or classic literature. 'Entendre' is the modern standard.

J'entends la radio. (Not: J'ois la radio).

entendre vs s'entendre

It looks like 'to hear oneself', but usually means 'to get along'.

While it can literally mean to hear oneself (Je ne m'entends pas parler), it is overwhelmingly used to mean having a good relationship with someone.

Je m'entends bien avec ma sœur.

Satzmuster

Subject + entendre + Noun

J'entends la voiture.

Subject + s'entendre + Adverb + avec + Person

Je m'entends bien avec Marie.

Subject + entendre + Noun + Infinitive

J'entends le chien aboyer.

Subject + avoir + entendu parler de + Noun

J'ai entendu parler de ce livre.

Subject + avoir + entendu dire que + Clause

J'ai entendu dire qu'il va pleuvoir.

Subject + se faire entendre

Il essaie de se faire entendre.

Subject + laisser entendre que + Clause

Il a laissé entendre qu'il partirait.

Subject + n'entendre rien à + Noun

Je n'entends rien à la politique.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

frequency

Top 100 most common verbs in French.

Häufige Fehler

J'entends la radio tous les matins. → J'écoute la radio tous les matins.
You actively listen to the radio, so you must use 'écouter'. 'Entendre' means you just passively hear it playing in the background.
J'ai entendu à ce livre. → J'ai entendu parler de ce livre.
To say 'I heard about', you must use the fixed expression 'entendre parler de'. You cannot translate 'about' literally.
Il n'entend pas la leçon. → Il ne comprend pas la leçon.
While 'entendre' can mean 'to understand' in a figurative sense (like understanding an argument), for factual comprehension like a school lesson, you must use 'comprendre'.
J'entends le chien aboyant. → J'entends le chien aboyer.
In French, verbs of perception (like hear, see) are followed by the infinitive form of the verb, not the present participle (-ant).
Ils ont bien entendu. (Meaning: They got along well) → Ils se sont bien entendus.
To mean 'to get along', you must use the reflexive form 's'entendre'. In the past tense, reflexive verbs use the auxiliary 'être'.

Tipps

The 'S' in Tu

Never forget the 's' when writing 'tu entends'. It's a common mistake because the 's' is silent, but grammatically essential for regular -re verbs.

Entendu as 'Agreed'

Use 'Entendu !' as a quick, native-sounding way to say 'Agreed!' or 'Got it!' when someone makes a plan with you.

Listen for the Pronoun

Since 'j'entends', 'tu entends', and 'il entend' sound identical, train your ear to catch the pronoun right before the verb to know who is hearing.

Entendre parler de vs dire que

Memorize this rule: 'entendre parler de' + NOUN. 'Entendre dire que' + SENTENCE. This will prevent 90% of translation errors.

Bien entendu

Sprinkle 'bien entendu' into your conversations instead of always using 'bien sûr'. It makes your French sound more varied and sophisticated.

Auxiliary Verb for S'entendre

Because 's'entendre' is a reflexive/pronominal verb, it always uses 'être' in the passé composé: 'Nous nous sommes entendus'.

Malentendu

Learn the word 'malentendu' (misunderstanding). It's a lifesaver when you make a mistake or when communication breaks down.

Nasal Vowels

Practice the 'en' sound. Your mouth should be open, and air should pass through your nose. Do not let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth.

Don't use for 'Attend'

Never use 'entendre' to mean 'to attend' a class or meeting. That is a false friend. Use 'assister à' instead.

Faire la sourde oreille

Use the idiom 'faire la sourde oreille' when someone is ignoring you. It's a colorful way to say they are turning a blind eye (or deaf ear).

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine you are in a TENT (en-TEN-dre) in the woods, and you suddenly HEAR a bear outside. You are in the TENT, and you HEAR it.

Visuelle Assoziation

Picture a giant ear with a 'TENT' inside it. The ear is passively receiving sound waves from the outside world.

Word Web

entendre bruit (noise) oreille (ear) s'entendre (get along) comprendre (understand) bien entendu (of course) écouter (listen) voix (voice)

Herausforderung

Next time you are watching a French movie, close your eyes for 30 seconds. Try to list three things you 'entends' (hear) in the background, like 'J'entends une voiture' or 'J'entends de la musique'.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin verb 'intendere', which means 'to stretch out', 'to direct one's attention to', or 'to aim at'. Over time in Old French, the meaning shifted from directing one's attention to specifically directing one's attention to sounds, hence 'to hear'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To stretch toward or direct attention.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Gallo-Romance > French.

Kultureller Kontext

No specific cultural sensitivities, but be aware that 'malentendu' (misunderstanding) is a very common and polite way to excuse a mistake or defuse a conflict in French culture.

English speakers often overuse 'écouter' because they translate 'I hear you' literally. In French, 'Je t'entends' is less common for emotional validation than 'Je comprends'.

The 'Entente Cordiale' (1904) - A series of agreements between the UK and France, using the noun form of entendre. The proverb 'Il n'est pire sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre' is frequently quoted in French political debates. The song 'J'entends siffler le train' by Richard Anthony, a classic 1960s French hit.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Describing sensory perception

J'entends un bruit
Tu entends la musique ?
Je n'entends rien
J'entends quelqu'un parler

Discussing relationships

On s'entend bien
Ils ne s'entendent pas
Une bonne entente
S'entendre comme chien et chat

Confirming plans or agreements

C'est entendu
Bien entendu
Entendu !
Nous nous sommes entendus sur...

Talking about news or rumors

J'ai entendu parler de...
J'ai entendu dire que...
As-tu entendu les nouvelles ?
On laisse entendre que...

Expressing comprehension or meaning

J'entends bien
Qu'entendez-vous par là ?
Je n'entends rien à cela
Faire entendre raison

Gesprächseinstiege

"As-tu entendu parler du nouveau restaurant qui vient d'ouvrir en ville ?"

"Est-ce que tu t'entends bien avec tes collègues de travail ?"

"Qu'est-ce que tu entends par 'réussite' dans la vie ?"

"As-tu entendu ce bruit bizarre hier soir pendant la tempête ?"

"Comment fais-tu pour te faire entendre quand tout le monde parle en même temps ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décris tous les sons que tu entends en ce moment précis autour de toi.

Raconte une fois où un simple malentendu a causé un gros problème.

Écris sur une personne avec qui tu t'entends particulièrement bien et explique pourquoi.

Quelle est la meilleure nouvelle que tu aies entendu dire récemment ?

Que penses-tu de l'expression 'Il n'y a pire sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre' ?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

'Entendre' is the passive act of hearing a sound. 'Écouter' is the active act of listening. If a dog barks, you 'entends' it. If you put on a podcast, you 'écoutes' it. This is the most important distinction to master.

You use the phrase 'entendre parler de'. For example, 'J'ai entendu parler de ce film' means 'I heard about this movie'. Do not translate 'about' literally as 'sur' or 'à propos de' in this context.

You use the phrase 'entendre dire que'. For example, 'J'ai entendu dire qu'il est malade' means 'I heard that he is sick'. This is used when reporting a rumor or a piece of news.

In its pronominal form, 's'entendre' means 'to get along' with someone. 'Je m'entends bien avec lui' means 'I get along well with him'. It can also mean 'to agree on something' (s'entendre sur quelque chose).

Yes, in certain contexts. If someone says 'J'entends bien', they mean 'I understand your point' or 'I see what you mean'. However, for general comprehension (like understanding a language), use 'comprendre'.

'Bien entendu' is a very common adverbial phrase that means 'of course' or 'naturally'. It is used exactly like 'bien sûr'. For example, 'Tu viens à la fête ? Bien entendu !'

It is a regular '-re' verb: j'entends, tu entends, il/elle/on entend, nous entendons, vous entendez, ils/elles entendent. Remember that the singular forms are pronounced exactly the same.

The past participle is 'entendu'. It is used to form the passé composé (j'ai entendu) and can also be used alone as an interjection meaning 'agreed!' or 'understood!'.

'Un malentendu' is a noun derived from 'entendre' that means 'a misunderstanding'. It is very useful for apologizing or clarifying a situation: 'C'est juste un malentendu' (It's just a misunderstanding).

In French, verbs of perception like 'entendre' are followed by an infinitive, not a present participle (like in English). You say 'J'entends le chien aboyer' (I hear the dog bark/barking), not 'J'entends le chien aboyant'.

Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen

writing

Translate: I hear a noise.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

J'entends un bruit.