Significado
To ascend a flight of stairs.
Contexto cultural
Many Haussmann-style buildings in Paris have beautiful but steep wooden stairs. Living on the 'sixième sans ascenseur' (6th floor without elevator) is a common experience for students and young workers. The district of Montmartre is famous for its endless outdoor staircases. There is even a funicular, but many people choose to climb the stairs for the view. Public health initiatives in France often encourage people to 'monter les escaliers' instead of using elevators to combat sedentary lifestyles. Historically, the 'escalier de service' was used by domestic staff. Today, these stairs often lead to renovated 'chambres de bonne' which are small, expensive apartments.
The 'Avoir' Rule
Always remember: if you say WHAT you are climbing (the stairs), use 'avoir' in the past. 'J'ai monté les escaliers.'
False Friend Alert
Don't use 'climer' or 'clamber'. These aren't French words. Stick to 'monter'.
Significado
To ascend a flight of stairs.
The 'Avoir' Rule
Always remember: if you say WHAT you are climbing (the stairs), use 'avoir' in the past. 'J'ai monté les escaliers.'
False Friend Alert
Don't use 'climer' or 'clamber'. These aren't French words. Stick to 'monter'.
The 1st Floor
In France, the 'premier étage' is the first floor ABOVE the ground floor. So you always have to monter les escaliers to get to the 1st floor!
Speed it up
To sound more native, use 'monter quatre à quatre' when you're in a hurry.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct auxiliary for the passé composé.
Hier, j'___ monté les escaliers du monument.
Because 'les escaliers' is a direct object, you must use 'avoir'.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'monter'.
Nous _______ les escaliers pour aller au bureau.
The subject is 'nous', so the verb ending is -ons.
Fill in the missing phrase in this dialogue.
A: L'ascenseur est en panne ! B: Ce n'est pas grave, on va ________.
If the elevator is broken and you need to go up, you take the stairs.
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: You are at the gym and the coach gives you an order.
Climbing stairs is a common exercise in a gym context.
Match the French phrase with its English equivalent.
1. Monter les escaliers 2. Descendre les escaliers 3. Prendre l'ascenseur
Monter = Up, Descendre = Down, Ascenseur = Elevator.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Auxiliary Choice with 'Monter'
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosHier, j'___ monté les escaliers du monument.
Because 'les escaliers' is a direct object, you must use 'avoir'.
Nous _______ les escaliers pour aller au bureau.
The subject is 'nous', so the verb ending is -ons.
A: L'ascenseur est en panne ! B: Ce n'est pas grave, on va ________.
If the elevator is broken and you need to go up, you take the stairs.
Context: You are at the gym and the coach gives you an order.
Climbing stairs is a common exercise in a gym context.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
Monter = Up, Descendre = Down, Ascenseur = Elevator.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasBoth are correct, but 'les escaliers' (plural) is much more common in daily speech.
Because 'les escaliers' is a direct object. In French, when 'monter' has an object, the auxiliary changes from 'être' to 'avoir'.
It's possible but sounds like you are climbing with hands and feet, like a child or an animal.
'Monter' is neutral and common. 'Gravir' is more formal and implies effort, like climbing a steep mountain or social ladder.
Just say 'Je monte'.
It's common in casual speech but technically redundant (a pleonasm), as 'monter' already means going up.
You say 'monter l'escalier mécanique' or 'prendre l'escalator'.
You can say 'Je suis essoufflé d'avoir monté les escaliers'.
Yes, 'les marches' is common, or 'la cage d'escalier' for the whole stairwell.
Yes, especially in Paris where old buildings often lack elevators.
Not really. Use 'gravir les échelons' for career success.
'Descendre les escaliers' (to go down the stairs).
Frases relacionadas
descendre les escaliers
contrastTo go down the stairs
monter quatre à quatre
specialized formTo take stairs two at a time
gravir les échelons
similarTo climb the social/professional ladder
prendre l'escalier
synonymTo take the stairs
monter en haut
similarTo go up to the top
grimper
similarTo climb
