promesse in 30 Sekunden
- A feminine noun meaning 'promise'.
- Commonly used with verbs 'faire' (make) and 'tenir' (keep).
- Can be informal (social) or formal (legal/real estate).
- Essential for discussing commitments and future plans.
The French noun promesse is a cornerstone of interpersonal communication, representing a commitment or an assurance that one will perform a specific action, behave in a certain way, or ensure that something will occur. At its core, a promesse is a verbal or written contract of intent. In French culture, the weight of a promise is significant, often tied to one's honor and social standing. Unlike a simple 'maybe' or 'I'll try,' a promesse implies a definitive obligation.
- Legal Context
- In French law, a 'promesse de vente' is a preliminary contract for the sale of property, carrying heavy legal weight.
- Interpersonal Context
- A 'promesse d'amitié' or 'promesse de mariage' involves emotional and social stakes.
- Abstract Context
- It can refer to the potential of a person or thing, such as 'la promesse de l'aube' (the promise of dawn).
"Une promesse est une dette que l'on contracte envers soi-même autant qu'envers les autres."
Historically, the concept of the promise has evolved from feudal oaths to modern democratic 'promesses électorales' (election promises). While the former was a matter of life and death, the latter is often viewed with more skepticism in contemporary French society. However, the linguistic structure remains firm: to make a promise is to 'faire une promesse', and to keep it is to 'tenir sa promesse'.
Il a fait la promesse de revenir avant Noël.
Cette jeune athlète est pleine de promesses pour l'avenir.
La promesse de vente a été signée hier chez le notaire.
Ne fais pas de promesse que tu ne peux pas tenir.
Using promesse correctly requires understanding its grammatical environment and common verb pairings. As a feminine noun, it is always accompanied by feminine articles (la, une, cette). The most frequent verbs used with it are faire (to make), tenir (to keep), and rompre or trahir (to break).
- Faire une promesse
- To make a promise. Example: 'Je te fais la promesse de t'aider.'
- Tenir une promesse
- To keep a promise. Example: 'Il tient toujours ses promesses.'
- Une promesse de...
- Followed by a noun or infinitive. Example: 'Une promesse de don' (a promise of a donation).
In professional settings, promesse is often found in real estate and employment. A 'promesse d'embauche' is a formal job offer that, once accepted, can have the legal weight of a contract. In these contexts, the word moves from a casual social gesture to a binding document. When using it in writing, ensure that the adjectives modifying it are also feminine, such as 'une promesse solennelle' (a solemn promise).
In literary French, promesse can also describe the potential or the 'look' of something. For instance, 'le ciel est plein de promesses' suggests that the weather will be beautiful. This metaphorical use is common in poetry and descriptive prose to evoke hope or anticipation.
You will encounter promesse in various domains of French life, from the intimate to the institutional. In the political sphere, 'les promesses électorales' are a constant topic of debate, often associated with the phrase 'Les promesses n'engagent que ceux qui y croient' (Promises only bind those who believe in them), a famous cynical quote attributed to Jacques Chirac.
- News & Media
- Discussions about government commitments, climate accords, or economic targets.
- Real Estate
- The 'promesse de vente' is the standard first step in buying a house in France.
- Daily Life
- Parents to children: 'Tu m'as fait une promesse !' (You made me a promise!).
In French cinema and literature, the word is often central to the plot. Think of Romain Gary's famous novel La Promesse de l'aube, where the title refers to the maternal promise of a glorious future. In music, many French chansons use the word to express love, betrayal, or hope. It is a word that carries emotional weight, making it a favorite for songwriters like Jacques Brel or Edith Piaf.
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing promesse with 'compromis'. While 'compromise' in English can mean a middle ground, in French, 'un compromis' is often a specific type of legal agreement (like 'compromis de vente'), but it doesn't mean 'a promise' in the general sense.
- Gender Errors
- Saying 'un promesse' instead of 'une promesse'. It is always feminine.
- Verb Confusion
- Using 'faire une promesse' when 'donner sa parole' might be more appropriate for a serious, personal oath.
- Preposition Use
- Forgetting the 'de' before an infinitive: 'La promesse venir' (incorrect) vs 'La promesse de venir' (correct).
Another mistake is the literal translation of 'to break a promise'. While 'casser une promesse' might be understood, the correct and more natural French terms are 'rompre une promesse', 'manquer à sa promesse', or 'trahir une promesse'. Using 'casser' sounds very childish or non-native.
While promesse is the general term, several other words in French capture specific nuances of commitment. Understanding these can help you reach a C1/C2 level of precision.
- Serment
- A formal oath, often religious or legal (e.g., 'prêter serment' in court).
- Engagement
- A broader commitment, often professional or social (e.g., 'un engagement bénévole').
- Parole
- Literally 'word'. 'Donner sa parole' is a very strong, personal promise.
- Vœu
- A vow or a wish, often in a religious or formal context (e.g., 'vœux de mariage').
- Pacte
- A formal agreement between two parties, often with a sense of gravity.
In literary contexts, you might also see 'assurance' or 'garantie'. While 'garantie' is more technical/commercial, 'assurance' can be used to describe a verbal promise of safety or success. Choosing the right word depends on the level of formality and the nature of the obligation. For example, you wouldn't use 'serment' for a promise to buy milk, but you would use it for a presidential inauguration.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Agreement of feminine adjectives
Use of 'de' before infinitives
Direct and indirect object pronouns with 'promettre'
The future tense (often used when making promises)
Subjunctive mood after 'Il est important que...'
Beispiele nach Niveau
C'est une promesse.
It is a promise.
Feminine noun 'une promesse'.
Je fais une promesse.
I make a promise.
Verb 'faire' + noun.
Une petite promesse.
A small promise.
Adjective 'petite' agrees with feminine noun.
Ta promesse est ici.
Your promise is here.
Possessive 'ta' for feminine singular.
Merci pour la promesse.
Thank you for the promise.
Preposition 'pour' + article 'la'.
C'est ma promesse.
It is my promise.
Possessive 'ma'.
Une promesse pour toi.
A promise for you.
Simple structure.
Elle a une promesse.
She has a promise.
Verb 'avoir'.
Il tient sa promesse.
He keeps his promise.
Verb 'tenir' means to keep/hold.
Tu dois faire une promesse.
You must make a promise.
Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive.
C'est une promesse de maman.
It's a promise from mom.
Possessive 'de'.
Je n'oublie pas ma promesse.
I don't forget my promise.
Negation 'ne... pas'.
Quelle est ta promesse ?
What is your promise?
Interrogative 'quelle' (feminine).
Il a fait une promesse de venir.
He made a promise to come.
Promesse + de + infinitive.
Nous gardons cette promesse.
We keep this promise.
Demonstrative 'cette'.
Elle ne tient jamais ses promesses.
She never keeps her promises.
Adverb 'jamais' and plural 'promesses'.
Le gouvernement a fait une promesse importante.
The government made an important promise.
Compound past 'a fait'.
C'est une promesse difficile à tenir.
It's a difficult promise to keep.
Adjective 'difficile' + 'à' + infinitive.
Il a rompu sa promesse sans explication.
He broke his promise without explanation.
Verb 'rompre' (to break).
La promesse de vente est signée.
The sales agreement is signed.
Passive voice 'est signée'.
Je compte sur ta promesse.
I am counting on your promise.
Verb 'compter sur'.
Elle a fait la promesse d'étudier plus.
She made the promise to study more.
Elision 'd'étudier'.
Ce sont des promesses en l'air.
These are empty promises.
Idiom 'en l'air' (empty/meaningless).
Chaque promesse compte pour moi.
Every promise counts for me.
Indefinite adjective 'chaque'.
Les promesses électorales sont souvent critiquées.
Election promises are often criticized.
Plural agreement of 'critiquées'.
Il a manqué à sa promesse solennelle.
He failed his solemn promise.
Phrase 'manquer à'.
Cette découverte porte la promesse d'un remède.
This discovery carries the promise of a cure.
Metaphorical use of 'porte la promesse'.
Elle a été déçue par ses promesses non tenues.
She was disappointed by his unkept promises.
Past participle 'tenues' as adjective.
Nous exigeons le respect de cette promesse.
We demand the respect of this promise.
Noun 'respect' + 'de'.
Une promesse d'embauche a été envoyée.
A job offer (promise) was sent.
Specific professional term.
Il s'est engagé par une promesse écrite.
He committed himself by a written promise.
Pronominal verb 's'engager'.
La vie est pleine de promesses à vingt ans.
Life is full of promises at twenty.
Adjective 'pleine' + 'de'.
L'auteur explore la fragilité de la promesse humaine.
The author explores the fragility of human promise.
Abstract philosophical use.
La promesse unilatérale de vente lie le vendeur.
The unilateral promise of sale binds the seller.
Legal terminology.
Il y a une promesse de bonheur dans son regard.
There is a promise of happiness in her gaze.
Literary expression.
Trahir une promesse, c'est trahir soi-même.
To betray a promise is to betray oneself.
Infinitive as subject.
Les promesses de l'aube sont parfois trompeuses.
The promises of dawn are sometimes deceptive.
Literary allusion.
Elle a agi en vertu d'une promesse ancienne.
She acted by virtue of an old promise.
Prepositional phrase 'en vertu de'.
Le candidat multiplie les promesses fallacieuses.
The candidate multiplies fallacious promises.
Advanced adjective 'fallacieuses'.
La promesse n'est pas un vain mot pour lui.
A promise is not an empty word for him.
Expression 'vain mot'.
L'acte notarié contient une promesse synallagmatique.
The notarized act contains a bilateral promise.
Highly technical legal term.
La caducité d'une promesse peut être invoquée.
The lapse of a promise can be invoked.
Legal concept of 'caducité'.
Il s'est fourvoyé dans des promesses de Gascon.
He got lost in empty/boastful promises.
Idiom 'promesse de Gascon'.
L'ontologie de la promesse réside dans l'acte de langage.
The ontology of the promise resides in the speech act.
Philosophical/Linguistic register.
Nonobstant sa promesse, il a décliné l'offre.
Notwithstanding his promise, he declined the offer.
Formal conjunction 'nonobstant'.
La promesse de fleurs ne garantit pas les fruits.
The promise of flowers does not guarantee the fruit.
Proverbial/Metaphorical.
Elle a souscrit à une promesse de porte-fort.
She entered into a promise to stand surety for another.
Archaic/Technical legal term.
Le dédit de sa promesse lui a coûté cher.
The withdrawal of his promise cost him dearly.
Noun 'dédit' (withdrawal/breach).
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
While 'promesse' is the act, 'promettre' is the action. You make a 'promesse' by 'promettant' something.
Avoid 'casser une promesse'; use 'rompre'.
- Using 'un promesse' (incorrect gender).
- Using 'casser une promesse' (anglicism).
- Forgetting 'de' before an infinitive.
- Confusing 'promesse' with 'compromis'.
- Misspelling it as 'promese' (needs double 's').
Tipps
Gender Check
Always use 'la' or 'une' with promesse. It never changes gender.
Verb Pairing
Memorize 'tenir' (keep) and 'rompre' (break) alongside the noun.
Legal Weight
Be careful with 'promesse de vente' in France; it is a serious legal step.
Natural Flow
Say 'Je te donne ma parole' for a more heartfelt promise.
Formal Tone
In professional emails, use 'engagement' instead of 'promesse' for a stronger tone.
Proverb
Remember 'Chose promise, chose due' to sound like a native.
Context Clues
If you hear 'notaire', the 'promesse' is likely about property.
Silent E
The final 'e' is silent, but ensure the 's' sound is clear.
Association
Connect 'promesse' with 'permission' to remember the feminine gender.
Abstract Use
Use 'plein de promesses' to describe a beautiful sunset or a talented student.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of a 'PRO' making a 'MESS' if they don't keep their PROMESSE.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Kultureller Kontext
The 'Serment du Jeu de Paume' (Tennis Court Oath) is a famous historical 'promesse' that led to the French Revolution.
Breaking a promise in a professional context in France is seen as a major breach of 'savoir-vivre'.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"As-tu déjà rompu une promesse importante ?"
"Quelle est la plus belle promesse qu'on t'ait faite ?"
"Crois-tu aux promesses des politiciens ?"
"Est-il facile pour toi de tenir tes promesses ?"
"Que penses-tu de l'expression 'chose promise, chose due' ?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Écris sur une promesse que tu as faite à toi-même cette année.
Décris une situation où quelqu'un a rompu une promesse envers toi.
Pourquoi est-il important de tenir sa parole dans ta culture ?
Imagine une promesse pour le futur de la planète.
Réflexion sur le livre 'La Promesse de l'aube'.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is always feminine: une promesse.
The most common way is 'rompre une promesse' or 'manquer à sa promesse'.
It is a preliminary legal agreement to sell a property.
Yes, as in 'un jeune talent plein de promesses' (a young talent full of potential).
The verb is 'promettre'.
Yes, it is used in all registers, from daily talk to legal documents.
It refers to a promise that is unlikely to be kept, often boastful.
Use 'de' before a verb (promesse de venir) and 'à' for the person (promesse à Marie).
No, 'vœu' is more like a 'vow' or a 'wish', often religious.
You say 'des promesses en l'air'.
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'promesse' is the standard French term for a commitment to act. It is feminine, versatile across social and legal contexts, and requires 'de' before an following verb.
- A feminine noun meaning 'promise'.
- Commonly used with verbs 'faire' (make) and 'tenir' (keep).
- Can be informal (social) or formal (legal/real estate).
- Essential for discussing commitments and future plans.
Gender Check
Always use 'la' or 'une' with promesse. It never changes gender.
Verb Pairing
Memorize 'tenir' (keep) and 'rompre' (break) alongside the noun.
Legal Weight
Be careful with 'promesse de vente' in France; it is a serious legal step.
Natural Flow
Say 'Je te donne ma parole' for a more heartfelt promise.
Beispiel
Il a tenu sa promesse de m'aider.
Verwandte Inhalte
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr communication Wörter
À bientôt
A1Bis bald.
accepter
A2Etwas Angebotenes annehmen oder zustimmen. Eine Situation oder Bedingung tolerieren.
accord
A2Eine Vereinbarung oder Harmonie zwischen Personen.
accueillir
A2Jemanden bei seiner Ankunft empfangen oder willkommen heißen. Auch: Platz für eine bestimmte Anzahl von Personen bieten.
actualité
A2Das aktuelle Geschehen oder die Nachrichten.
adresser
A2To address, to speak or write to someone.
affabulation
B2A fabricated story or statement, often fanciful or exaggerated.
affirmation
B2Eine Bestätigung ist eine Aussage, die besagt, dass etwas wahr ist oder existiert. Es ist eine starke Erklärung oder Bekräftigung.
affirmer
B1Etwas mit Bestimmtheit behaupten oder feststellen. Sich als Person oder in einer Rolle behaupten und durchsetzen.
allô
A1Hallo (am Telefon); wird verwendet, um einen Anruf entgegenzunehmen.
