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  • Reprendre: To resume or start again after a pause.
  • Also means to take back or reclaim something.
  • Used for activities, control, health, and understanding.
  • Key idea: continuation or reclamation.
Meaning
The French verb 'reprendre' is a versatile word that primarily means 'to resume', 'to start again', or 'to take back'. It signifies the act of continuing something that was interrupted, or reclaiming something that was lost or given away. It's a common verb used in various contexts, from everyday conversations to more formal settings. Understanding 'reprendre' is crucial for grasping the nuances of French communication, especially when discussing actions that have been paused and are now being continued.
Usage Contexts
People use 'reprendre' in numerous situations. For instance, after a break, you might 'reprendre' your work or a conversation. If an event is postponed, it will 'reprendre' at a later date. In a more literal sense, you can 'reprendre' your keys if you left them behind, or 'reprendre' control of a situation. The verb also extends to the idea of regaining health or strength after an illness. It can even refer to understanding something, as in 'je reprends' meaning 'I understand' or 'I get it'. The core idea is always about picking up something again, whether it's an activity, an object, or a concept.
Nuances
The specific meaning of 'reprendre' often depends on the context. When used with a direct object, it usually means 'to take back' or 'to reclaim'. For example, 'reprendre son bien' means 'to take back one's property'. When used without a direct object, it often implies 'to resume' or 'to start again'. For example, 'La réunion va reprendre' means 'The meeting will resume'. It can also be used reflexively, as in 'se reprendre', which can mean 'to pull oneself together' or 'to recover'. This versatility makes 'reprendre' a very useful verb to master for anyone learning French.

Après la pause déjeuner, nous allons reprendre notre travail.

Il a fallu reprendre le fil de la conversation.

L'équipe a réussi à reprendre l'avantage en deuxième mi-temps.

Resuming Activities
'Reprendre' is commonly used to indicate the continuation of an activity after a pause. This pause could be due to a break, an interruption, or a period of inactivity. For example, after a holiday, you might 'reprendre' your studies. In a professional setting, a meeting might 'reprendre' after a short recess. The key is that the activity was ongoing, stopped, and is now being restarted. The grammatical structure often involves 'reprendre' followed by a noun or an infinitive verb indicating the activity being resumed.

Nous allons reprendre la lecture du livre.

Le concert va bientôt reprendre après la pluie.

Taking Back or Reclaiming
Another significant use of 'reprendre' is to mean 'to take back' or 'to reclaim' something that belongs to you or was previously yours. This can apply to physical objects, but also to abstract things like control, initiative, or even a stolen idea. The structure typically involves 'reprendre' followed by the object being reclaimed. For instance, a company might 'reprendre' its market share, or an individual might 'reprendre' their belongings.

Elle a décidé de reprendre sa vieille voiture.

Le gouvernement a promis de reprendre le contrôle de la situation.

Understanding or Getting It
In a more informal and conversational context, 'reprendre' can be used to express understanding. When someone explains something, and you grasp it, you might say 'Je reprends' or 'Je reprends le fil'. This implies that you have followed the explanation and now understand the point being made. It's akin to saying 'I get it' or 'I follow you'.

Ah, je reprends ! Vous voulez dire que nous devons changer la stratégie.

Après votre explication, je commence à reprendre le sens de votre demande.

Regaining Health or Strength
'Reprendre' is also used to describe the process of recovering one's health or strength after an illness or a period of weakness. It signifies a return to a healthier state.

Il a mis plusieurs semaines à reprendre ses forces après sa grippe.

Les plantes ont mis du temps à reprendre après le gel.

Everyday Conversations
You will frequently hear 'reprendre' in casual conversations among French speakers. Imagine a group of friends discussing a movie they paused halfway through; one might say, "On reprend où on en était ?" (Shall we pick up where we left off?). Or, after a brief interruption in a discussion, someone might say, "Excusez-moi, je reprends mon idée" (Excuse me, I'm resuming my thought). It's also common when talking about resuming daily routines after a holiday or a weekend. For example, "Demain, je reprends le travail" (Tomorrow, I'm going back to work) is a very standard phrase. The reflexive form 'se reprendre' is also heard when someone is encouraging another person to regain composure or start over after a mistake, like "Allez, reprends-toi !" (Come on, pull yourself together!).
Media and News
In news reports, 'reprendre' is used to describe the resumption of activities after disruptions. For instance, a news anchor might report that "Les négociations vont reprendre demain" (Negotiations will resume tomorrow), or "La circulation a repris son cours normal après l'accident" (Traffic has resumed its normal flow after the accident). It's also used in sports commentary to describe a team regaining possession of the ball or taking back the lead. "L'équipe a réussi à reprendre le contrôle du match" (The team managed to regain control of the match) is a typical example. In documentaries or historical accounts, 'reprendre' can refer to regaining lost territory or power.
Literature and Formal Writing
In more formal contexts, such as literature or academic writing, 'reprendre' can carry deeper meanings. Authors might use it to describe a character returning to a past habit or memory: "Il reprit ses anciennes habitudes" (He returned to his old habits). It can also be used to signify taking back one's word or retracting a statement. In a legal or financial context, 'reprendre' is often used for reclaiming assets or taking over a business: "La banque a dû reprendre l'entreprise en défaut de paiement" (The bank had to take back the company due to non-payment). The phrase 'reprendre ses esprits' (to regain one's senses) is also common in literature to describe someone recovering from shock or confusion.
Educational Settings
In classrooms, teachers might use 'reprendre' to signal the continuation of a lesson after a break or to review previously taught material. "Après cette petite pause, nous allons reprendre notre leçon" (After this short break, we will resume our lesson). Students might also use it to indicate they have understood something: "Je reprends, vous voulez que je fasse X ?" (I understand, you want me to do X?). This is a practical application of the verb in a learning environment.
Confusing with 'prendre'
A very common mistake for learners is to confuse 'reprendre' with its root verb, 'prendre' (to take). While 'reprendre' contains 'prendre', the prefix 're-' adds the crucial meaning of 'again' or 'back'. Using 'prendre' when 'reprendre' is intended can lead to a completely different meaning. For example, saying "Je vais prendre mon travail" might imply you are going to take your work with you, whereas "Je vais reprendre mon travail" means you are going to resume working on it. Always remember that 'reprendre' implies a continuation or a reclamation, something that was previously done or possessed.
Incorrect Verb Conjugation
Like all French verbs, 'reprendre' needs to be conjugated correctly according to tense, mood, and subject. Learners sometimes struggle with its irregular conjugation, especially in past tenses and the subjunctive. For instance, the past participle is 'repris', not 'reprit' (which is a conjugated form). A common error might be using 'reprit' as a past participle. Also, confusion can arise with similar-looking verbs. For example, the past participle of 'prendre' is 'pris', and learners might incorrectly apply this pattern to 'reprendre'.

Incorrect: J'ai re-pris mon livre. Correct: J'ai repris mon livre.

Misinterpreting Reflexive Use
The reflexive form 'se reprendre' has specific meanings like 'to pull oneself together' or 'to recover oneself'. Learners might incorrectly use the non-reflexive form or misunderstand the nuances. For example, saying "Je me prends" when you mean "Je me reprends" (I'm pulling myself together) would be grammatically incorrect and convey a different meaning. The reflexive pronoun ('me', 'te', 'se', etc.) is essential for these specific idiomatic uses.

Incorrect: Il prend après sa chute. Correct: Il se reprend après sa chute.

Overuse or Underuse
Some learners might avoid 'reprendre' altogether, opting for simpler synonyms, which can make their French sound less natural. Conversely, others might overuse it, trying to fit it into every situation where a simpler verb would suffice. The key is to understand its specific connotations of 'again' or 'back' and use it when those nuances are intended. For instance, if you are simply starting a new task from scratch, 'commencer' (to start) might be more appropriate than 'reprendre'.
Commencer / Démarrer
These verbs mean 'to start' or 'to begin'. They are used when initiating something new, rather than continuing something that was paused.
Difference
While 'reprendre' implies a return to something previously started, 'commencer' and 'démarrer' suggest the very first instance of starting. You 'commencez' a new project, but you 'reprenez' an old one after a break.

Je vais commencer un nouveau livre.

Je vais reprendre la lecture de mon ancien livre.

Continuer
This verb means 'to continue' or 'to go on'. It's very close in meaning to 'reprendre' when referring to resuming an activity, but 'continuer' often implies a more unbroken progression.
Difference
'Continuer' is used for ongoing actions without necessarily implying a previous interruption. 'Reprendre' specifically highlights the act of starting again after a pause. If you are walking and keep walking, you 'continue'. If you stop walking and then start again, you 'reprendre' walking.

Il a continué à pleuvoir toute la nuit.

La pluie a cessé, mais elle va reprendre bientôt.

Récupérer
This verb often means 'to recover', 'to get back', or 'to retrieve'. It shares some overlap with 'reprendre' when the context is about regaining something.
Difference
'Récupérer' is frequently used for physical recovery (health, energy) or for retrieving lost items. 'Reprendre' can also mean to regain health, but it's more broadly used for resuming activities or taking back possessions. 'Récupérer' implies a process of regaining something that was lost or depleted.

Il doit récupérer ses forces après la maladie.

Il a réussi à reprendre son emploi.

Rappeler
This verb means 'to recall', 'to remind', or 'to call back'. It can sometimes be confused with 'reprendre' in the context of taking back something, but its primary meaning is different.
Difference
'Rappeler' is about bringing something back to mind or making a call. 'Reprendre' is about physically taking something back or resuming an action. You 'rappelez' a memory, but you 'reprenez' your keys.

Ce parfum me rappelle mon enfance.

Il a dû reprendre son manteau oublié.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The Latin 'prehendere' is related to the English word 'apprehend', which also carries the sense of seizing or understanding. This shared root highlights the historical connections between French and English vocabulary.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ʁə.pʁɑ̃dʁ/
US /ʁə.pʁɑ̃dʁ/
Stress in French is generally on the last syllable of a word or phrase, but 'reprendre' has a relatively even stress distribution, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'prendre'.
Reimt sich auf
apprendre comprendre surprendre entreprendre déprendre suspendre vendre attendre
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the French 'r' like an English 'r'.
  • Not nasalizing the 'an' sound.
  • Pronouncing the final 'e' too strongly.
  • Adding an 's' sound before 'prendre'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

The verb 'reprendre' is frequently encountered in reading materials. Its multiple meanings require careful attention to context to grasp the intended nuance. Understanding its common collocations and idiomatic uses is key for comprehension.

Schreiben 3/5

Accurate use of 'reprendre' in writing depends on mastering its conjugation and understanding its semantic range. Learners may struggle with choosing the correct synonym or applying the appropriate grammatical structure.

Sprechen 3/5

Producing 'reprendre' correctly in spontaneous speech requires familiarity with its pronunciation and common phrases. Its versatility means learners might hesitate or opt for simpler alternatives.

Hören 3/5

Identifying 'reprendre' and understanding its meaning in spoken French can be challenging due to its varied pronunciations and contexts. Active listening and exposure to native speech are crucial.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

prendre commencer continuer arrêter pause

Als Nächstes lernen

reprise repreneur récupérer rattraper entreprendre

Fortgeschritten

réitération restauration réaffirmation réappropriation

Wichtige Grammatik

Conjugation of 'reprendre' in the present tense.

Je reprends, tu reprends, il/elle/on reprend, nous reprenons, vous reprenez, ils/elles reprennent.

Use of the past participle 'repris' in compound tenses.

J'ai repris mon livre. Elle avait repris ses forces.

The reflexive form 'se reprendre' and its meanings.

Il faut se reprendre pour réussir.

Subjunctive mood with 'falloir que' or 'il est important que'.

Il faut que je reprenne mon travail. Il est important que nous reprenions nos habitudes.

Infinitive after certain verbs (e.g., 'pouvoir', 'vouloir', 'décider de').

Je peux reprendre le livre. Elle veut reprendre ses études. Il a décidé de reprendre son travail.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Je reprends mon crayon.

I take back my pencil.

Simple present tense, direct object.

2

On reprend après la pause.

We resume after the break.

Present tense, implied subject 'nous'.

3

Il reprend sa voiture.

He takes back his car.

Present tense, direct object.

4

Elle reprend son souffle.

She catches her breath.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'se'.

5

Reprends-tu ton travail ?

Are you resuming your work?

Present tense, question form, direct object.

6

Le jeu reprend.

The game resumes.

Present tense, intransitive use.

7

Je reprends mon chemin.

I resume my path.

Present tense, direct object.

8

Il reprend sa place.

He takes back his seat.

Present tense, direct object.

1

Après une longue journée, il a fallu reprendre des forces.

After a long day, he had to regain his strength.

Passé composé (fallu), infinitive.

2

La réunion reprendra à 14h.

The meeting will resume at 2 PM.

Future simple tense.

3

Elle a réussi à reprendre son bien.

She managed to take back her property.

Passé composé, direct object.

4

Il a repris le contrôle de la situation.

He regained control of the situation.

Passé composé, direct object.

5

Je reprends mon idée, il faut être prudent.

I'm resuming my point, we need to be careful.

Present tense, followed by a subordinate clause.

6

Les travaux vont reprendre au printemps.

The construction work will resume in the spring.

Future simple tense.

7

Elle a repris le fil de la conversation.

She picked up the thread of the conversation.

Passé composé, idiomatic phrase.

8

Il faut se reprendre quand on fait une erreur.

One must pull oneself together when one makes a mistake.

Infinitive, reflexive pronoun 'se'.

1

Après une longue convalescence, elle a finalement pu reprendre ses activités normales.

After a long convalescence, she was finally able to resume her normal activities.

Passé composé (pu), infinitive.

2

Le gouvernement a annoncé qu'il allait reprendre les négociations avec le syndicat.

The government announced that it would resume negotiations with the union.

Futur simple (allait reprendre), indicative.

3

Il a fallu que je reprenne mes leçons de piano après une longue pause.

I had to resume my piano lessons after a long break.

Subjunctive (fallu que je reprenne).

4

Les discussions ont repris de plus belle après l'interruption.

The discussions resumed with renewed vigor after the interruption.

Passé simple (ont repris), adverbial phrase.

5

Elle a réussi à reprendre le contrôle de son entreprise.

She succeeded in regaining control of her company.

Passé composé (a réussi), infinitive.

6

Quand on est fatigué, il est important de se reprendre et de continuer.

When one is tired, it is important to pull oneself together and continue.

Infinitive, reflexive pronoun 'se'.

7

L'artiste a décidé de reprendre ses pinceaux après une longue période d'inactivité.

The artist decided to pick up his brushes again after a long period of inactivity.

Passé simple (a décidé), infinitive.

8

Je ne comprends pas, peux-tu me le faire reprendre ?

I don't understand, can you make me understand it again?

Infinitive, causative structure.

1

Le président a promis de reprendre le dialogue avec les pays voisins.

The president promised to resume dialogue with neighboring countries.

Infinitive, direct object.

2

Après la crise économique, le pays a mis du temps à reprendre sa croissance.

After the economic crisis, it took time for the country to resume its growth.

Passé composé (mis), infinitive.

3

Il faut que nous reprenions nos habitudes saines pour améliorer notre bien-être.

We must resume our healthy habits to improve our well-being.

Subjunctive (fallait que nous reprenions).

4

La compagnie a dû reprendre les actions de son concurrent suite à la faillite.

The company had to take back the shares of its competitor following the bankruptcy.

Passé composé (a dû reprendre), direct object.

5

L'enquête a permis de reprendre le fil des événements et de comprendre la cause.

The investigation allowed to pick up the thread of events and understand the cause.

Passé composé (a permis), infinitive.

6

Il est essentiel de se reprendre en main après une période difficile.

It is essential to pull oneself together after a difficult period.

Infinitive, reflexive pronoun 'se'.

7

Le réalisateur a décidé de reprendre le tournage après une longue pause technique.

The director decided to resume filming after a long technical break.

Passé simple (a décidé), infinitive.

8

Elle espère pouvoir reprendre son travail à temps plein bientôt.

She hopes to be able to resume her full-time work soon.

Infinitive, direct object.

1

La nouvelle administration s'est engagée à reprendre les réformes initiées par son prédécesseur.

The new administration committed to resuming the reforms initiated by its predecessor.

Infinitive, direct object.

2

Il a fallu que l'entreprise reprenne sa stratégie commerciale après l'échec de la campagne précédente.

The company had to resume its commercial strategy after the failure of the previous campaign.

Subjunctive (fallu que l'entreprise reprenne).

3

Les historiens ont du mal à reprendre le fil exact des événements de cette période obscure.

Historians have difficulty picking up the exact thread of events from this obscure period.

Infinitive, idiomatic phrase.

4

Le mouvement social a réussi à reprendre de l'ampleur après une période de déclin.

The social movement managed to regain momentum after a period of decline.

Passé composé (a réussi), direct object.

5

Il est primordial de se reprendre en main et de retrouver sa discipline personnelle.

It is paramount to pull oneself together and regain one's personal discipline.

Infinitive, reflexive pronoun 'se'.

6

L'auteur reprend le thème de la solitude dans son dernier roman avec une nouvelle perspective.

The author revisits the theme of solitude in his latest novel with a new perspective.

Present tense, direct object.

7

Suite à l'accord, les exportations ont pu reprendre leur cours normal.

Following the agreement, exports were able to resume their normal course.

Passé composé (ont pu reprendre), direct object.

8

Elle a dû reprendre son souffle après avoir couru le marathon.

She had to catch her breath after running the marathon.

Passé composé (a dû reprendre), reflexive pronoun 'se'.

1

Le nouveau dirigeant s'est donné pour mission de reprendre en main les finances de l'État.

The new leader has made it his mission to take charge of the state's finances.

Infinitive, idiomatic phrase 'reprendre en main'.

2

Il est impératif que la communauté internationale reprenne le dialogue sur le désarmement nucléaire.

It is imperative that the international community resumes dialogue on nuclear disarmament.

Subjunctive (reprendre).

3

Les archéologues cherchent à reprendre le fil des découvertes pour mieux comprendre cette civilisation disparue.

Archaeologists are seeking to pick up the thread of discoveries to better understand this lost civilization.

Infinitive, idiomatic phrase.

4

Le mouvement syndical a su reprendre de la vigueur face aux nouvelles politiques économiques.

The labor movement managed to regain vigor in the face of new economic policies.

Passé composé (a su reprendre), direct object.

5

Face à l'adversité, il est crucial de se reprendre et de faire preuve de résilience.

In the face of adversity, it is crucial to pull oneself together and show resilience.

Infinitive, reflexive pronoun 'se'.

6

L'écrivain reprend le mythe de Prométhée pour explorer les dilemmes de la technologie moderne.

The writer revisits the myth of Prometheus to explore the dilemmas of modern technology.

Present tense, direct object.

7

Grâce à un accord commercial, les échanges culturels ont pu reprendre leur cours.

Thanks to a trade agreement, cultural exchanges were able to resume their course.

Passé composé (ont pu reprendre), direct object.

8

Elle a dû reprendre son souffle pour pouvoir continuer la conversation animée.

She had to catch her breath to be able to continue the animated conversation.

Passé composé (a dû reprendre), reflexive pronoun 'se'.

Häufige Kollokationen

reprendre son travail
reprendre ses forces
reprendre le contrôle
reprendre la conversation
reprendre son souffle
reprendre ses études
reprendre le fil
reprendre son bien
reprendre le cours
se reprendre

Häufige Phrasen

On reprend ?

— Shall we start again? / Shall we resume?

On reprend le film après la publicité ?

Je reprends mon idée.

— I'm resuming my point/thought.

Je reprends mon idée : il faut considérer toutes les options.

Reprends-toi !

— Pull yourself together! / Get a grip!

Arrête de pleurer, reprends-toi !

Reprendre ses esprits

— To regain one's senses; to recover from shock or confusion.

Après le choc, il a mis du temps à reprendre ses esprits.

Reprendre le fil de la conversation

— To pick up the thread of the conversation; to remember what was being discussed.

J'ai oublié ce que je disais, aide-moi à reprendre le fil de la conversation.

Reprendre le dessus

— To gain the upper hand; to get back in control.

Après plusieurs difficultés, il a réussi à reprendre le dessus sur la situation.

Reprendre vie

— To come back to life; to become lively again.

Après la pluie, le jardin a repris vie.

Reprendre goût à quelque chose

— To regain a taste for something; to start enjoying something again.

Il a repris goût à la lecture grâce à ce nouveau roman.

Reprendre le dessus sur soi

— To regain control over oneself; to master one's emotions or impulses.

Il faut reprendre le dessus sur soi pour ne pas céder à la colère.

Reprendre la main

— To regain control or mastery, especially after a period of absence or difficulty.

Il a fallu quelques jours pour qu'il reprenne la main sur le nouveau logiciel.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

reprenre vs prendre

The most common confusion. 'Prendre' means 'to take', while 'reprendre' means 'to take again' or 'to take back'. The 're-' prefix is crucial.

reprenre vs continuer

'Continuer' means 'to continue' without necessarily implying a prior stop. 'Reprendre' specifically implies resuming after an interruption.

reprenre vs apprendre

Sounds similar, but 'apprendre' means 'to learn'. It's a false friend in terms of sound.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Se reprendre en main"

— To pull oneself together; to regain control of one's actions, emotions, or life, especially after a period of difficulty or poor behavior.

Après avoir perdu son emploi, il a dû se reprendre en main et chercher de nouvelles opportunités.

Neutral
"Reprendre ses esprits"

— To regain one's senses; to recover from a state of shock, confusion, or unconsciousness.

Elle s'est évanouie, mais elle a vite repris ses esprits.

Neutral
"Reprendre le fil (de la conversation/du discours)"

— To pick up the thread of the conversation or discourse; to resume speaking after an interruption or a lapse in memory.

J'étais distrait, aide-moi à reprendre le fil de ce que tu disais.

Neutral
"Reprendre le dessus"

— To gain the upper hand; to get back in control of a situation, an argument, or one's emotions.

Malgré la difficulté, il a réussi à reprendre le dessus sur ses adversaires.

Neutral
"Reprendre vie"

— To come back to life; to become lively or active again, often used for places, nature, or dormant activities.

Le marché a repris vie avec l'arrivée des touristes.

Neutral
"Reprendre goût à quelque chose"

— To regain a taste or liking for something; to start enjoying something again after a period of indifference or dislike.

Après sa maladie, il a mis du temps à reprendre goût à la cuisine.

Neutral
"Reprendre le dessus sur soi"

— To regain control over oneself; to master one's impulses, emotions, or desires.

Il est difficile de reprendre le dessus sur soi quand on est tenté par le plaisir immédiat.

Neutral
"Reprendre la main"

— To regain control or mastery, especially after a period of absence, a mistake, or a change in responsibility.

Le nouveau chef d'équipe met du temps à reprendre la main sur les projets en cours.

Neutral
"Reprendre à zéro"

— To start from scratch; to begin again from the very beginning, often due to failure or a need for a complete change.

Le projet a échoué, il faut le reprendre à zéro.

Neutral
"Reprendre de plus belle"

— To resume with renewed vigor or intensity, often after a pause or interruption.

La pluie s'est arrêtée un moment, mais elle a repris de plus belle.

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

reprenre vs prendre

Both verbs share the root 'prendre' and sound somewhat similar.

'Reprendre' always implies a sense of 'again' or 'back', signifying a resumption or reclamation. 'Prendre' is simply 'to take'. For example, 'Je prends le bus' (I'm taking the bus) versus 'Je reprends le bus' (I'm getting back on the bus after a stop).

Il a pris son manteau. (He took his coat.) vs. Il a repris son manteau. (He took back his coat.)

reprenre vs continuer

Both verbs relate to the continuation of an action.

'Reprendre' specifically refers to starting again after a pause or interruption. 'Continuer' implies an unbroken progression. You 'continue' walking if you don't stop, but you 'reprendre' walking if you stop and then start again.

Il a continué à pleuvoir. (It kept raining.) vs. La pluie a cessé, mais elle va reprendre. (The rain stopped, but it's going to start again.)

reprenre vs récupérer

Both can relate to regaining something.

'Reprendre' is broader and can mean to resume activities, regain control, or take back possessions. 'Récupérer' often focuses on recovering health, energy, or retrieving lost items. While you can 'récupérer' your keys, you 'reprendre' your job.

Elle a récupéré son énergie. (She recovered her energy.) vs. Elle a repris son travail. (She resumed her work.)

reprenre vs apprendre

Phonetic similarity in some pronunciations.

'Apprendre' means 'to learn'. It has no relation to resuming or taking back. The 're-' prefix in 'reprendre' is the key differentiator in meaning.

J'apprends le français. (I am learning French.) vs. Je reprends mon livre. (I am taking back my book.)

reprenre vs arrêter

They are often discussed in relation to each other as opposites.

'Arrêter' means 'to stop'. 'Reprendre' means 'to start again after stopping'. They represent opposite actions in a temporal sequence.

Il a arrêté de fumer. (He stopped smoking.) vs. Il a décidé de reprendre la cigarette. (He decided to start smoking again.)

Satzmuster

A1

Subject + reprendre + noun.

Je reprends mon stylo.

A1

On reprend + après + noun.

On reprend après la pause.

A2

Subject + avoir/être + repris + (preposition) + noun.

Il a repris son travail.

A2

Subject + reprendre + son + noun.

Elle reprend son souffle.

B1

Subject + falloir + que + Subject + reprenne (subjunctive).

Il faut que je reprenne mes études.

B1

Subject + décider de + reprendre + infinitive.

Il a décidé de reprendre à zéro.

B2

Subject + se reprendre + (adverbial phrase).

Il faut se reprendre en main.

C1

Subject + réussir à + reprendre + noun.

Elle a réussi à reprendre le contrôle.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

reprise (resumption, recovery, take-back)
repreneur (buyer, successor, entrepreneur)

Verben

reprendre

Verwandt

prendre (to take)
apprendre (to learn)
comprendre (to understand)
surprendre (to surprise)
entreprendre (to undertake)
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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'prendre' instead of 'reprendre' when resuming an activity. → Je vais reprendre mon travail.

    The prefix 're-' is essential to indicate that you are starting again after a pause. 'Je vais prendre mon travail' could imply taking it with you, not resuming it.

  • Incorrectly conjugating the past participle as 'reprit'. → Elle a repris le projet.

    The past participle of 'reprendre' is 'repris', not 'reprit' (which is a conjugated form). This is a common error for learners.

  • Using the non-reflexive form when the reflexive is needed. → Il faut se reprendre après la défaite.

    'Se reprendre' means 'to pull oneself together'. Using 'Il faut le reprendre' would imply taking something else back, not regaining personal control.

  • Confusing 'reprendre' with 'continuer' when there was a clear interruption. → Après la tempête, les travaux ont repris.

    'Reprendre' specifically highlights the resumption after a stop. 'Continuer' implies an unbroken flow. The context of interruption makes 'reprendre' the better choice.

  • Using 'reprendre' when 'commencer' is more appropriate. → Elle a commencé une nouvelle carrière.

    'Commencer' is for starting something for the first time. 'Reprendre' is for continuing something that was previously started. Starting a new career is 'commencer', not 'reprendre'.

Tipps

Mastering the French 'R'

The 'r' in 'reprendre' is a guttural sound made in the back of the throat, different from the English 'r'. Practice saying 're-' by gently gargling. This sound is crucial for clear pronunciation.

Conjugation Practice

Like many French verbs, 'reprendre' has irregular conjugations, especially its past participle 'repris'. Practice conjugating it in different tenses (present, passé composé, future) to build confidence.

Recognize Idiomatic Uses

Familiarize yourself with common idiomatic phrases like 'se reprendre en main' (to pull oneself together) or 'reprendre ses esprits' (to regain one's senses). These are frequently used and add naturalness to your French.

Word Association

Connect 'reprendre' to 'again' or 'back' due to the 're-' prefix. Visualize yourself taking something back or starting something again. This mental image can aid recall.

Listen Actively

When listening to French audio or watching French media, actively try to identify 'reprendre'. Note how it's used and what it means in that specific context. This will help you hear its natural rhythm and application.

Distinguish from 'prendre'

Always remember that 'reprendre' is not just 'prendre' (to take). The 're-' adds the crucial meaning of 'again' or 'back'. This distinction is vital to avoid misunderstandings.

Use in Sentences

Try to create your own sentences using 'reprendre' in its various meanings. This active recall and application is one of the most effective ways to solidify your understanding and usage.

Reflexive Verbs

Pay special attention to the reflexive form 'se reprendre'. It has specific meanings related to self-control and recovery that differ from the non-reflexive uses.

Read Widely

Exposure to French literature, news articles, and blogs will expose you to 'reprendre' in diverse contexts, helping you understand its full range of applications and nuances.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a **re**d **pond** where a frog **re**aches out with its **pond**-like tongue to **re**-grab a fly it missed. The 're' sounds like 'red' and 'pond' sounds like 'prendre' (to take). So, you 're-take' the fly from the red pond.

Visuelle Assoziation

Picture someone pausing a movie (the 're-' pause) and then hitting the 'play' button again to **re**-**prendre** (re-take) watching. Or, imagine someone dropping a ball, then picking it up again – they **re**-**prendre** the ball.

Word Web

Resume Start again Take back Reclaim Continue Recover Understand Re-initiate

Herausforderung

Try to describe your daily routine, highlighting moments where you 'reprendre' an activity after a pause, like 'reprendre' your commute after stopping for coffee, or 'reprendre' reading after dinner.

Wortherkunft

The verb 'reprendre' originates from the Latin verb 'reprehendere', which itself is a combination of 're-' (again, back) and 'prehendere' (to seize, to grasp). This etymological root clearly conveys the idea of seizing or grasping something again, which directly relates to the meanings of resuming and taking back.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To seize again, to grasp again.

Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > French

Kultureller Kontext

The use of 'reprendre' in contexts of reclaiming possessions or control can sometimes be sensitive, especially if it involves conflict or legal disputes. However, in everyday contexts like resuming work or conversation, it is entirely neutral.

In English-speaking cultures, similar concepts exist with phrases like 'get back to work', 'pick up where we left off', 'take back', or 'recover'. However, the single verb 'reprendre' encapsulates these nuances efficiently in French.

The phrase 'On reprend les mêmes et on recommence' (We take the same ones and we start again) is a common, often ironic, expression used when a situation repeats itself without change. Literature often uses 'reprendre ses esprits' to describe characters recovering from shock or fainting, a common trope. In sports commentary, 'reprendre l'avantage' (to regain the lead) is a frequent and exciting phrase.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Resuming work after a break.

  • On reprend le travail.
  • Nous allons reprendre après la pause.
  • Je reprends mon poste.

Taking back something owned.

  • Reprendre ses affaires.
  • Il a repris sa voiture.
  • Elle a repris son bien.

Regaining health or strength.

  • Reprendre ses forces.
  • Il a repris sa santé.
  • Elle reprend son souffle.

Continuing a discussion or activity.

  • Reprendre la conversation.
  • Reprendre le fil.
  • On reprend où on en était ?

Regaining control or leadership.

  • Reprendre le contrôle.
  • Reprendre le dessus.
  • Il a repris la direction.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Qu'est-ce que vous allez reprendre après vos vacances ?"

"Si vous pouviez reprendre une activité que vous avez arrêtée, laquelle choisiriez-vous ?"

"Comment vous y prenez-vous pour reprendre votre travail après une longue interruption ?"

"Dans quelle situation est-il important de 'se reprendre en main' ?"

"Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu'un qui doit reprendre ses études ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décrivez un moment où vous avez dû 'reprendre' une tâche importante après une pause inattendue. Comment vous êtes-vous senti et qu'avez-vous fait pour y parvenir ?

Pensez à quelque chose que vous avez perdu ou laissé partir. Si vous pouviez 'le reprendre' aujourd'hui, que serait-ce et pourquoi ?

Comment réagissez-vous lorsque vous perdez le fil d'une conversation ? Utilisez le verbe 'reprendre' pour décrire comment vous essayez de vous reconnecter.

Écrivez sur une situation où vous avez dû 'vous reprendre en main'. Quelles mesures avez-vous prises pour retrouver le contrôle ?

Imaginez que vous pouviez reprendre une ancienne passion ou un ancien hobby. Lequel choisiriez-vous et comment le réintégreriez-vous dans votre vie ?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

The main difference lies in the prefix 're-'. 'Prendre' simply means 'to take'. 'Reprendre' means 'to take again', 'to take back', or 'to resume'. It implies a prior action or possession that is now being re-engaged with. For example, 'Je prends mon parapluie' means 'I take my umbrella', but 'Je reprends mon parapluie' means 'I take back my umbrella' or 'I pick up my umbrella again'.

You use 'reprendre' to mean 'to resume' when an activity, process, or state was interrupted and is now being continued. For instance, 'Après la pause, nous allons reprendre notre réunion' (After the break, we will resume our meeting) or 'Il a fallu reprendre ses études après une année sabbatique' (He had to resume his studies after a gap year).

Yes, in informal contexts, saying 'Je reprends' or 'Je reprends le fil' can mean 'I understand', 'I get it', or 'I follow you'. It implies that you have grasped the explanation or the point being made after a moment of confusion or clarification. For example, 'Ah, je reprends ! Vous voulez dire que le projet est annulé.' (Ah, I get it! You mean the project is cancelled.)

The reflexive form 'se reprendre' has several meanings, most commonly 'to pull oneself together' or 'to regain control of oneself', especially after an emotional upset or a mistake. It can also mean 'to recover oneself' from a state of shock or illness. For example, 'Il faut se reprendre après cette défaite' (One must pull oneself together after this defeat).

Not always. While 'resuming' is a primary meaning, 'reprendre' also strongly means 'to take back' or 'to reclaim' something that was previously yours or under your control. For example, 'Elle a repris son sac' (She took back her bag) or 'L'équipe a repris l'avantage' (The team regained the lead).

'Reprendre' is an irregular verb. In the present tense, it follows a pattern similar to 'prendre': je reprends, tu reprends, il/elle/on reprend, nous reprenons, vous reprenez, ils/elles reprennent. The past participle is 'repris'.

Some common phrases include 'reprendre son travail', 'reprendre ses forces', 'reprendre le contrôle', 'reprendre son souffle', 'se reprendre en main', and 'reprendre ses esprits'.

Yes, absolutely. 'Reprendre' is frequently used for physical objects, meaning to take them back or reclaim them. For example, 'J'ai dû reprendre ma voiture au garage' (I had to pick up my car from the garage) or 'Il a repris ses livres à la bibliothèque' (He took back his books from the library).

'Reprendre' means to resume or take back. 'Rattraper' means to catch up or make up for lost time/ground. You might 'reprendre' your studies after a break, but you 'rattraper' the material you missed during that break.

'Entreprendre' means 'to undertake' or 'to embark on' a new venture. It's about starting something new. 'Reprendre' is about continuing something that was already started. They represent different stages of an action or project.

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