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B1 verb 7 min de lectura

engendrer

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos engendrer en 30 segundos

Explicación engendrer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use 'engendrer' in your own speaking. It is a bit too formal and difficult for beginners. However, you might see it in very simple proverbs or titles. Think of it simply as a fancy way to say 'to make' or 'to cause'. If a story says 'La pluie engendre des fleurs' (Rain makes flowers), you can understand that one thing leads to another. At this stage, focus on 'faire' (to do/make) and 'causer' (to cause). You should just recognize that 'engendrer' is a verb that talks about how things start or where they come from. It's like the beginning of a family tree. In fact, 'engendrer' is related to 'genre' (kind/type) and 'générations' (generations). If you remember that 'engendrer' is about 'generations', you will understand it means to give birth to something. Don't worry about conjugating it yet; just know that if you see it, something is causing something else to happen. It's a 'cause and effect' word. For an A1 student, seeing this word is a sign that the text is a bit more advanced, perhaps a news headline or a quote. You can usually guess the meaning from the context. If you see 'Le soleil engendre la chaleur', you know the sun is making the heat. That's the core idea. Keep it simple and don't feel pressured to use it until you are more comfortable with basic verbs.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to move beyond very basic sentences. You might encounter 'engendrer' in short news articles or simple educational videos. It is helpful to know that 'engendrer' is a regular '-er' verb, which means it follows the same pattern as 'parler' or 'manger'. You can say 'J'engendre', 'Tu engendres', 'Il engendre', and so on. However, you will mostly see it used with 'Il' (it) or 'Ils' (they) because it's usually a situation or a thing that causes something else. For example, 'Le bruit engendre du stress' (Noise causes stress). This is a good sentence for an A2 learner because it uses a simple noun and a clear cause. You should start to distinguish 'engendrer' from 'faire'. While 'faire' is for making a physical object (faire un gâteau), 'engendrer' is for making a result or a feeling. You can use it to describe simple consequences in your writing tasks. For instance, if you are writing about the environment, you could say 'La pollution engendre des problèmes' (Pollution causes problems). It makes your French sound a little more 'grown-up'. You should also notice the relationship between 'engendrer' and words you already know, like 'parent' or 'génétique'. They all share the same root about 'bringing life' or 'starting something'. At A2, your goal is to recognize it and maybe use it once or twice in a prepared essay to show off your vocabulary.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to understand and use a wider range of vocabulary to express opinions and explain plans. 'Engendrer' is a perfect B1 word because it allows you to discuss cause and effect more precisely. Instead of always using 'parce que' (because) or 'ça fait que' (that makes it so), you can use 'engendrer' to link ideas. For example, 'Cette situation peut engendrer des malentendus' (This situation can lead to misunderstandings). At this level, you should be comfortable using it in the present, past (passé composé), and future tenses. You will often find 'engendrer' in texts about social issues, health, or the environment—common topics for B1 exams like the DELF. It's important to notice that 'engendrer' is transitive, meaning it doesn't need a preposition. You don't say 'engendrer à'. You should also start to see the nuance: 'engendrer' implies that the result is a natural or logical consequence of the cause. It's more than just a random accident; it's like a seed growing into a plant. If you use 'engendrer' in a speaking exam, it shows the examiner that you have reached an intermediate level of literacy. You can use it to talk about how 'le manque de travail engendre la pauvreté' (lack of work leads to poverty). Practice using it with abstract nouns like 'peur' (fear), 'violence' (violence), 'succès' (success), or 'changement' (change). This will help you sound more fluent and articulate.

At the B2 level, 'engendrer' should be a regular part of your academic and formal vocabulary. You are now analyzing complex issues and providing detailed arguments. 'Engendrer' is essential for describing the systemic causes of social or economic phenomena. At this stage, you should understand the stylistic difference between 'engendrer', 'provoquer', and 'entraîner'. While 'provoquer' might suggest a more immediate or aggressive trigger, 'engendrer' suggests a process of creation or a long-term consequence. For example, in a B2 essay about technology, you might write: 'L'automatisation engendre une redéfinition des compétences requises sur le marché du travail' (Automation engenders a redefinition of the skills required in the job market). You should also be able to use the passive voice ('être engendré par') to vary your sentence structure, which is a key requirement for B2. You will see this word frequently in high-level media like *Le Monde* or *Courrier International*. You should also be aware of its literary roots; although you won't use it to mean 'to sire' in modern speech, you will encounter that meaning if you read 18th or 19th-century French literature (like Voltaire or Balzac). A B2 learner should also be careful not to use 'engendrer' for trivial things; it should be reserved for consequences that have some weight or significance. Using it correctly in a debate shows that you can handle the nuances of French register, moving smoothly between neutral and formal styles depending on the situation.

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For C1 learners, 'engendrer' is a nuanced tool for precise expression in complex discourse. At this level, you are not just using the word to mean 'cause', but you are using it to imply a specific type of causality—one that is generative, organic, or inherent. You should be able to use it in philosophical, sociological, and highly technical contexts. For instance, you might discuss how 'la structure même de la langue engendre une certaine vision du monde' (the very structure of language engenders a certain vision of the world). You should also be familiar with related terms and derivatives, and how 'engendrer' interacts with different registers. You might use it to critique a policy: 'Cette mesure, bien qu'animée de bonnes intentions, risque d'engendrer des effets pervers' (This measure, though well-intentioned, risks engendering perverse effects). At C1, you should also recognize the word in its more rare or metaphorical uses in poetry or classical prose. You are expected to have a 'feel' for when 'engendrer' is more appropriate than 'susciter' (which is better for immediate emotional reactions) or 'déclencher' (better for a sudden spark). Your mastery of 'engendrer' at this level involves knowing exactly which abstract nouns pair best with it—collocations like 'engendrer la polémique', 'engendrer la confusion', or 'engendrer des bénéfices'. Your writing should show that you can use 'engendrer' to build logical chains of reasoning that feel natural and sophisticated to a native speaker.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of the language, and 'engendrer' is a word you use with total precision and stylistic flair. You understand its etymological depth and can appreciate its use in the most elevated literary and philosophical texts. You might use it to discuss the 'procreant' power of ideas or the 'engendering' of historical eras. In a C2 level dissertation or high-level professional report, you would use 'engendrer' to describe complex, multi-layered causalities. You are also aware of the subtle irony or archaic flavor the word can take on if used in certain modern contexts. For example, you might use it in a playful, hyper-formal way to describe a mundane situation, knowing exactly how it will be perceived by a native audience. You can analyze how 'engendrer' functions in the works of authors like Proust or Flaubert, where the word might carry echoes of its older, biological meaning even when used abstractly. At C2, you are also sensitive to the rhythm of the sentence; you know that 'engendrer' provides a certain weight and sonority that 'causer' lacks. You can effortlessly switch between 'engendrer' and its synonyms to avoid repetition while maintaining a consistent formal register. Your use of the word is not just about meaning, but about the 'architecture' of your thought. You use it to show how one concept is the 'progenitor' of another, creating a rich tapestry of cause and effect that reflects a deep understanding of French culture, history, and logic.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

engendrer en 30 segundos

Engendrer is a formal French verb meaning to cause or give rise to something, usually an abstract situation or emotion.
It is a regular -er verb and is most commonly used in news, academic writing, and professional contexts.
The word carries a nuance of organic growth or an inevitable consequence, similar to the English word 'breed'.
While it originally meant 'to procreate', its modern usage is almost exclusively metaphorical and intellectual.

The French verb engendrer is a sophisticated and versatile term primarily used to describe the act of causing, producing, or giving rise to something, often an abstract concept, a feeling, or a complex situation. While its primary modern use is metaphorical—equivalent to the English verb 'to engender' or 'to breed'—it has deep biological roots. Historically and literally, it means 'to procreate' or 'to sire,' coming from the Latin 'ingenerare.' However, in contemporary French, you are far more likely to encounter it in socio-political discussions, scientific analysis, or literary contexts than in a conversation about biology.

Core Concept: The fundamental idea is one of causality where one action or state naturally leads to the birth of another. It suggests a process of creation or a chain reaction.

La haine ne peut qu'engendrer la haine.

This classic proverb, 'Hatred can only breed hatred,' perfectly illustrates the word's weight. It implies that the result is an inevitable consequence of the cause. In professional settings, a manager might say that a new policy will engendrer des coûts supplémentaires (lead to additional costs). In a philosophical debate, one might argue that certain social conditions engendrent le mécontentement. It is a 'high-level' verb, meaning it appears frequently in news broadcasts (Le Monde, France 24) and academic papers. Understanding this word helps learners transition from basic conversational French to the refined language used in intellectual and professional spheres.

Register: Formal to Elevated. It is rarely used in slang or very casual street French, where 'donner' or 'provoquer' would be preferred.

Ce projet pourrait engendrer de nouveaux emplois dans la région.

Biological Nuance: In older texts or biblical translations, it refers to fathering a child. 'Abraham engendra Isaac' (Abraham begat Isaac).

Over the next sections, we will explore how to conjugate it, common pitfalls, and its synonyms to ensure you can use it like a native speaker.

Using engendrer correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature; it always takes a direct object. You 'engender' something. Because it is a regular -er verb, its conjugation is straightforward, but its application is nuanced.

Grammar Structure: [Subject] + [Conjugated form of engendrer] + [Direct Object (Noun)]. There is no preposition like 'à' or 'de' after the verb.

L'obscurité engendre souvent la peur chez les enfants.

In this example, the darkness (subject) directly causes fear (object). Note that we don't say 'engendre à la peur'. Let's look at various contexts: In economics, 'La baisse des taux d'intérêt peut engendrer une augmentation de la consommation.' (The lowering of interest rates can lead to an increase in consumption). In social science, 'Les inégalités engendrent des tensions sociales.' (Inequalities give rise to social tensions).

Passive Voice: While possible, the passive voice ('être engendré par') is less common than the active voice. It is used to emphasize the source: 'Ce conflit a été engendré par un malentendu.'

Toute action engendre une réaction égale et opposée.

This scientific context (Newton's Third Law) shows how 'engendrer' fits perfectly with laws of nature and logic.

Nuance of Creation: Unlike 'causer', which can be accidental, 'engendrer' often implies that the result is 'born' from the cause, suggesting a deeper, more intrinsic link.

By mastering these patterns, you can elevate your writing from basic descriptions to sophisticated analysis of cause and effect.

If you are living in a French-speaking country or consuming French media, engendrer will appear in specific environments.

News & Politics: Journalists use it to describe the consequences of government decisions or international events. 'La réforme a engendré de nombreuses manifestations.'

You will hear it on radio stations like France Inter or read it in editorials in Le Figaro. It is a staple of political discourse because it sounds serious and intellectual.

La crise sanitaire a engendré une mutation profonde du marché du travail.

Academic & Scientific Contexts: In university lectures or research papers, it is used to discuss variables. 'Cette réaction chimique engendre un dégagement de chaleur.'

Literature & Philosophy: Classic and modern French literature is full of this verb. It is used to describe how a character's internal state 'engenders' their external actions. 'Sa solitude finit par engendrer une forme de folie.'

L'ignorance engendre la peur, et la peur engendre la cruauté.

In everyday speech, a Parisian might use it to complain about bureaucracy: 'Cette nouvelle règle ne va engendrer que des problèmes !' (This new rule will only cause problems!). While it's formal, using it in the right context shows you have a sophisticated command of the language.

Even for intermediate learners, engendrer can be tricky. The most common error is misjudging the register.

Overuse in Casual Settings: Using 'engendrer' to describe trivial daily events can sound quite odd. For example, 'J'ai engendré un gâteau' (I engendered a cake) is incorrect and sounds comical. Stick to 'faire' or 'préparer'.

Incorrect: Ça a engendré que je suis tombé.

Confusion with 'Générer': While similar, 'générer' is often more technical or computer-related (générer un mot de passe), whereas 'engendrer' is more organic or abstract (engendrer la haine).

Avoid: Le logiciel engendre un rapport.

Pronunciation Pitfall: The 'en' and 'an' sounds are nasal. Some learners pronounce the 'g' like 'g' in 'go', but it should be a soft 'j' sound (like 'measure') because it's followed by 'e'.

L'erreur a engendré une perte de temps. (Correct use for abstract loss).

Finally, remember that 'engendrer' is a strong word. If you use it for something minor, you might sound overly dramatic. Reserve it for significant causes and effects.

French offers several verbs to express causality, and choosing the right one depends on the context and the desired intensity.

Causer: The most neutral and common alternative. It works for almost anything. 'Le vent a causé des dégâts.' Compared to 'engendrer', 'causer' is less literary.

Susciter: Used specifically for reactions, emotions, or interest. 'Son discours a suscité l'enthousiasme.' While 'engendrer' is about the 'birth' of a situation, 'susciter' is about 'sparking' a reaction.

Le film a suscité beaucoup de questions. (Better than 'engendré' for questions).

Provoquer: Implies a more direct or aggressive causality. 'Il a provoqué un accident.' 'Engendrer' is more gradual and less 'intentional' than 'provoquer'.

Générer: Modern and often used in finance or technology. 'Générer des profits' or 'Générer du trafic web'. It is the closest synonym to 'engendrer' but feels more contemporary and less poetic.

La pauvreté engendre l'exclusion sociale.

In summary, 'engendrer' is your go-to word for organic, inevitable, or profound consequences in formal contexts.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word is a first cousin to 'generate', 'gender', and 'genius' in English. They all come from the same root meaning 'to give birth'.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ɑ̃.ʒɑ̃.dʁe/

US /ɑ̃.ʒɑ̃.dʁe/

Stress is typically on the final syllable '-dre' in French.

Rima con

manger aimer parler danger étranger léger passer penser

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'g' as a hard 'g' (like 'go'). It should be soft.
Pronouncing the final 'r' too strongly like an English 'r'.
Failing to make the 'en' and 'an' nasal.
Pronouncing the 'd' too softly.
Confusing the nasal 'en' with an 'on' sound.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know the English word 'engender'.

Escritura 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal register and abstract noun pairings.

Expresión oral 4/5

Nasal vowels and soft 'g' can be tricky for beginners.

Escucha 3/5

Common in news and documentaries, easy to pick out.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

causer faire donner parent naissance

Aprende después

susciter entraîner découler de provenir de résulter

Avanzado

prologue genèse étiologie corrélation

Gramática que debes saber

Direct Object Verbs

Engendrer takes a direct object: 'Il engendre le succès' (NOT 'au succès').

Nasal Vowels

The 'en' in 'engendrer' follows the same nasal rule as 'enfant'.

Soft G Rule

G before E is always soft (like 'je').

Regular -ER Conjugation

Present: j'engendre, tu engendres, il engendre, nous engendrons, vous engendrez, ils engendrent.

Future Stem

The future stem is the infinitive: 'j'engendrerai'.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Le soleil engendre la chaleur.

The sun causes heat.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

La pluie engendre la vie.

Rain gives rise to life.

Engendrer is used here in a poetic way.

L'amour engendre la joie.

Love causes joy.

Present tense of 'engendrer'.

Le travail engendre le succès.

Work leads to success.

A simple cause and effect statement.

La peur engendre le stress.

Fear causes stress.

Third person singular conjugation.

Le sport engendre la santé.

Sport brings health.

Abstract concept as a result.

L'été engendre les vacances.

Summer brings holidays.

Using 'engendrer' to show a natural consequence.

Le feu engendre la fumée.

Fire causes smoke.

A physical cause and effect.

Le bruit engendre souvent de la fatigue.

Noise often causes tiredness.

Adding the adverb 'souvent' (often).

Cette situation engendre beaucoup de questions.

This situation causes many questions.

Using 'beaucoup de' with the object.

Le manque d'eau engendre des problèmes.

The lack of water causes problems.

Plural object 'des problèmes'.

Les erreurs engendrent des leçons.

Errors produce lessons.

Third person plural: 'engendrent'.

La musique engendre une bonne ambiance.

Music creates a good atmosphere.

Using 'une' with a feminine noun.

Lire engendre la connaissance.

Reading gives rise to knowledge.

Infinitive 'Lire' as the subject.

La pollution engendre des maladies.

Pollution causes illnesses.

Standard B1-level vocabulary.

Le changement engendre l'espoir.

Change brings hope.

Abstract nouns used as subject and object.

La violence ne peut qu'engendrer la violence.

Violence can only breed violence.

Using 'ne... que' (only) with the infinitive.

Ce projet va engendrer de nouveaux emplois.

This project is going to create new jobs.

Near future with 'aller' + infinitive.

Le stress peut engendrer des maladies graves.

Stress can lead to serious illnesses.

Modal verb 'peut' (can) followed by infinitive.

L'incompréhension a engendré une dispute.

The misunderstanding led to an argument.

Passé composé: 'a engendré'.

La pauvreté engendre souvent l'exclusion sociale.

Poverty often leads to social exclusion.

Using a complex abstract object.

Une mauvaise gestion engendre des pertes d'argent.

Bad management causes money losses.

Compound subject 'Une mauvaise gestion'.

La curiosité engendre la découverte.

Curiosity leads to discovery.

Classic B1 thematic sentence.

Ces mesures pourraient engendrer des bénéfices.

These measures could generate profits.

Conditional mood: 'pourraient' (could).

L'automatisation engendre une mutation du travail.

Automation causes a transformation of work.

Advanced noun 'mutation'.

La corruption engendre une méfiance envers l'État.

Corruption breeds distrust toward the State.

Using 'envers' (toward) to add complexity.

Cette politique a engendré des conséquences imprévues.

This policy led to unforeseen consequences.

Adjective 'imprévues' (unforeseen).

Le silence de l'administration engendre la frustration.

The administration's silence causes frustration.

Complex subject with 'de l'administration'.

La crise économique va engendrer une baisse du pouvoir d'achat.

The economic crisis will cause a drop in purchasing power.

Economic term: 'pouvoir d'achat'.

Le manque de dialogue engendre des conflits inutiles.

The lack of dialogue causes unnecessary conflicts.

Abstract concept 'manque de dialogue'.

L'innovation engendre souvent une rupture technologique.

Innovation often causes a technological breakthrough.

Advanced phrase 'rupture technologique'.

Le réchauffement climatique engendre des catastrophes naturelles.

Global warming causes natural disasters.

Common B2 scientific topic.

L'opacité du système engendre un sentiment d'injustice.

The opacity of the system breeds a feeling of injustice.

Using 'sentiment de' for nuanced emotion.

La mondialisation engendre une uniformisation culturelle.

Globalization causes cultural homogenization.

Sociological term: 'uniformisation'.

Ce discours populiste risque d'engendrer la haine raciale.

This populist speech risks engendering racial hatred.

Verbal phrase 'risque d'engendrer'.

L'absence de régulation engendre des dérives financières.

The lack of regulation leads to financial excesses.

Financial term 'dérives'.

La solitude urbaine engendre parfois des formes de mélancolie.

Urban solitude sometimes gives rise to forms of melancholy.

Literary noun 'mélancolie'.

La structure sociale engendre des inégalités de destin.

Social structure creates inequalities of destiny.

Philosophical concept 'inégalités de destin'.

Le progrès technique n'engendre pas forcément le progrès humain.

Technical progress does not necessarily cause human progress.

Negative construction with 'pas forcément'.

Sa passion pour l'art a engendré une collection immense.

His passion for art led to a huge collection.

Passé composé with feminine object.

L'herméneutique du texte engendre une multiplicité de sens.

The hermeneutics of the text engender a multiplicity of meanings.

Academic term 'herméneutique'.

La vacuité de son existence a fini par engendrer un profond dégoût.

The emptiness of his existence eventually led to a profound disgust.

Literary phrase 'vacuité de son existence'.

Cette dialectique engendre une synthèse nouvelle et audacieuse.

This dialectic engenders a new and daring synthesis.

Philosophical terminology.

Le délitement du lien social engendre une montée de l'individualisme.

The unraveling of social bonds breeds a rise in individualism.

Noun 'délitement' (unraveling/decay).

L'hubris des dirigeants peut engendrer la chute d'un empire.

The hubris of leaders can cause the fall of an empire.

Classical Greek loanword 'hubris'.

La sémantique du mot engendre des interprétations divergentes.

The semantics of the word give rise to divergent interpretations.

Linguistic context.

Cette synergie entre les arts engendre une esthétique inédite.

This synergy between the arts engenders a brand new aesthetic.

Adjective 'inédite' (unseen/new).

La prolifération des données engendre un besoin de filtrage.

The proliferation of data causes a need for filtering.

Technical/Modern C2 context.

Colocaciones comunes

engendrer la haine

engendrer des coûts

engendrer le stress

engendrer la confusion

engendrer des bénéfices

engendrer la violence

engendrer un sentiment

engendrer des problèmes

engendrer la polémique

engendrer un changement

Frases Comunes

Engendrer des conséquences

— To lead to results or outcomes. Used to discuss the impact of actions.

Chaque choix engendre des conséquences.

Engendrer des doutes

— To cause people to feel uncertain. Used in intellectual or personal contexts.

Son témoignage a engendré des doutes.

Engendrer la méfiance

— To cause a lack of trust. Common in politics and relationships.

Le secret engendre la méfiance.

Engendrer l'enthousiasme

— To cause a feeling of excitement. Positive context.

La nouvelle a engendré l'enthousiasme général.

Engendrer une réaction

— To trigger a response. Used in science and social interactions.

Cette insulte a engendré une réaction vive.

Engendrer des tensions

— To cause friction or conflict between groups.

La compétition engendre des tensions.

Engendrer de l'espoir

— To give rise to a positive feeling about the future.

La paix engendre de l'espoir.

Engendrer une crise

— To be the cause of a major problem or emergency.

La sécheresse a engendré une crise alimentaire.

Engendrer une réflexion

— To provoke thought or consideration.

Ce film engendre une réflexion profonde.

Engendrer du mécontentement

— To cause people to be unhappy with a situation.

La hausse des prix engendre du mécontentement.

Se confunde a menudo con

engendrer vs générer

Générer is more technical (tech/finance), while engendrer is more abstract and literary.

engendrer vs enregistrer

Enregistrer means 'to record'. They sound slightly similar but are unrelated.

engendrer vs engager

Engager means 'to hire' or 'to commit'. Do not confuse the two.

Modismos y expresiones

"La haine engendre la haine"

— Violence or hatred only creates more of the same. A classic moral proverb.

Nous devons pardonner, car la haine engendre la haine.

literary/proverbial

"L'argent engendre l'argent"

— Wealth tends to create more wealth. Similar to 'money makes money'.

Grâce aux intérêts, son argent engendre l'argent.

neutral

"La peur est mauvaise conseillère, elle engendre l'erreur"

— Fear leads to mistakes. A common philosophical warning.

Ne décide pas maintenant ; la peur engendre l'erreur.

formal

"L'oisiveté engendre tous les vices"

— Idleness leads to bad habits. A traditional moral saying.

Il faut travailler, car l'oisiveté engendre tous les vices.

archaic/moral

"Le sommeil de la raison engendre des monstres"

— When logic fails, terrible things happen. Reference to Goya's famous artwork.

L'histoire nous montre que le sommeil de la raison engendre des monstres.

artistic/intellectual

"Un malheur en engendre un autre"

— One misfortune leads to another. Similar to 'it never rains but it pours'.

Après l'incendie, il y a eu l'inondation ; un malheur en engendre un autre.

neutral

"La violence engendre la terreur"

— A variation of the 'violence breeds violence' theme.

La guerre ne fait qu'engendrer la terreur.

formal

"La patience engendre la sagesse"

— Being patient leads to being wise.

Attends un peu ; la patience engendre la sagesse.

proverbial

"L'ignorance engendre le mépris"

— Not knowing about something leads to hating or looking down on it.

Ils ne connaissent pas notre culture, et l'ignorance engendre le mépris.

formal

"Le succès engendre le succès"

— Winning once makes it easier to win again.

Après sa première victoire, tout est devenu facile : le succès engendre le succès.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

engendrer vs causer

Both mean 'to cause'.

Causer is everyday; engendrer is formal and implies a 'birth' of a situation.

Le vent a causé la chute de l'arbre. L'injustice engendre la révolte.

engendrer vs entraîner

Both mean 'to lead to'.

Entraîner suggests a mechanical chain; engendrer suggests an organic creation.

La pluie entraîne la boue. La haine engendre la haine.

engendrer vs susciter

Both used for abstract results.

Susciter is for immediate reactions (interest, anger); engendrer is for long-term situations.

Il a suscité l'admiration. Le chômage engendre la pauvreté.

engendrer vs provoquer

Both mean 'to trigger'.

Provoquer is often intentional or sudden; engendrer is often a natural growth.

Il a provoqué un scandale. La solitude engendre la tristesse.

engendrer vs produire

Both mean 'to produce'.

Produire is often physical or commercial; engendrer is abstract.

L'arbre produit des fruits. La liberté engendre la responsabilité.

Patrones de oraciones

L'absence de [Nom] engendre [Nom].

L'absence de pluie engendre la sécheresse.

Ce [Nom] peut engendrer des [Nom Pluriel].

Ce projet peut engendrer des bénéfices.

[Sujet] risque d'engendrer une [Nom].

Cela risque d'engendrer une crise.

Une situation qui engendre [Nom].

C'est une situation qui engendre de la peur.

Tout [Nom] engendre nécessairement [Nom].

Tout progrès engendre nécessairement des défis.

Être engendré par [Nom].

Ce sentiment a été engendré par son passé.

L'hubris ne peut qu'engendrer [Nom].

L'hubris ne peut qu'engendrer la ruine.

[Concept] engendre une mutation de [Concept].

La technologie engendre une mutation de la pensée.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

engendrement (the act of engendering)

géniteur (biological father/progenitor)

génération (generation)

genre (gender/kind)

Verbos

générer (to generate)

régénérer (to regenerate)

dégénérer (to degenerate)

Adjetivos

engendré (engendered)

génétique (genetic)

génital (genital)

Relacionado

genre

genèse

généalogie

générique

généreux

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in formal writing, moderate in educated speech, rare in casual slang.

Errores comunes

Using 'engendrer à' → engendrer [nom]
Engendrer is transitive. It does not take the preposition 'à'.
Pronouncing 'g' like 'go' → Pronounce 'g' like 'measure'
In French, 'g' before 'e' is always soft.
Using it for physical objects → Use 'faire' or 'fabriquer'
'Engendrer' is for abstract results, not physical manufacturing.
Using it in very casual slang → Use 'donner' or 'faire'
It sounds out of place and overly formal in a casual street conversation.
Confusing with 'enregistrer' → Use 'enregistrer' for recording
'Enregistrer' (to record) and 'engendrer' (to cause) are completely different.

Consejos

Pair with Abstract Nouns

Always try to use 'engendrer' with abstract concepts like 'violence', 'confusion', or 'pauvreté'. It sounds much more natural than using it for physical objects.

Use in Essays

If you are writing a DELF/DALF essay, 'engendrer' is a high-scoring word. Use it to link a cause to an effect in your conclusion.

Nasal Vowel Practice

Practice saying 'en' and 'an' in front of a mirror. They should sound the same in 'engendrer'. Don't let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth for the nasal sound.

No Prepositions

Remember that 'engendrer' is transitive. Never put 'à' or 'de' after it. Go straight to the noun.

Listen to the News

Watch 'Journal de 20h' on France 2. You will almost certainly hear 'engendrer' used by a politician or journalist within a week.

Learn the Proverbs

Memorize 'La haine engendre la haine'. It's a great phrase to have ready for a conversation about social issues.

Organic Growth

Think of the word as meaning 'to give birth to'. This will help you understand why it's used for situations that grow out of other situations.

Don't Overuse

Don't use it for small, unimportant things. 'Causer' is better for 'he caused the glass to break'.

English Link

If you know 'engender' in English, you already know 90% of how to use this word in French.

Formal Situations

This is a 'suit and tie' word. Use it in job interviews, professional emails, and university papers.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'EN-GEN-drer' as 'EN-ter a new GEN-eration'. When you engender something, you bring a new generation of problems or feelings into the world.

Asociación visual

Imagine a domino falling. The first domino 'engenders' the fall of the second one. It's a chain of creation.

Word Web

causer générer donner naissance produire susciter entraîner créer amener

Desafío

Try to write three sentences about how your hobbies 'engendrent' happiness or skills. Use the present tense.

Origen de la palabra

From the Latin verb 'ingenerare', composed of 'in-' (in/into) and 'generare' (to beget/produce).

Significado original: To procreate, to father a child, or to bring into existence physically.

Indo-European (Latin branch).

Contexto cultural

There are no major sensitivities, but avoid using it for human birth in casual conversation as it can sound clinical or archaic.

English speakers often use 'cause' for everything. Using 'engendrer' is like using 'engender' or 'beget'—it sounds more sophisticated.

The quote 'La haine engendre la haine' is widely attributed to various peace activists. Goya's 'Le sommeil de la raison engendre des monstres' is a famous title in French art history. Biblical translations use 'engendra' for the genealogies (Abraham engendra Isaac).

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Economy

engendrer des profits
engendrer une inflation
engendrer la croissance
engendrer une dette

Psychology

engendrer de l'anxiété
engendrer un traumatisme
engendrer la confiance
engendrer un sentiment de culpabilité

Politics

engendrer une révolution
engendrer la discorde
engendrer un débat national
engendrer des réformes

Science

engendrer une réaction chimique
engendrer une mutation
engendrer de l'énergie
engendrer un champ magnétique

Daily Life (Formal)

engendrer des retards
engendrer des malentendus
engendrer des frais supplémentaires
engendrer de la fatigue

Inicios de conversación

"Penses-tu que la technologie engendre plus de solitude qu'avant ?"

"Quelles sont les actions qui engendrent le plus de bonheur chez toi ?"

"Est-ce que le système scolaire actuel engendre trop de compétition ?"

"Pensez-vous que la peur engendre toujours de mauvaises décisions ?"

"Comment peut-on engendrer un changement positif dans notre quartier ?"

Temas para diario

Décrivez une situation où un petit malentendu a engendré un grand problème.

Réfléchissez à la manière dont vos habitudes quotidiennes engendrent votre état de santé actuel.

Écrivez sur une invention qui a engendré une mutation profonde de la société.

Comment la lecture de livres a-t-elle engendré de nouvelles idées dans votre esprit ?

Analysez comment le stress au travail peut engendrer des tensions dans la vie de famille.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

In modern French, it is very formal or scientific. For daily life, use 'avoir un enfant' or 'donner naissance'. In a biological or biblical context, you might still see it.

No, it is often used for negative things like 'la haine' or 'le stress', but it can be positive, like 'engendrer le succès' or 'engendrer l'espoir'.

'Générer' is more modern and common in computer science (générer un code) or finance (générer des profits). 'Engendrer' is more literary and used for human emotions and social situations.

Yes, it is a regular -er verb. It follows the same conjugation rules as 'parler' or 'manger'.

Yes, you can say 'Ce problème a été engendré par...', though the active voice is more common.

No, it is a transitive verb. You follow it directly with a noun: 'engendrer la peur'.

It is very common in written French, news, and formal speech, but less common in casual street talk.

The noun form is 'engendrement', but it is quite rare. 'Génération' is a more common related noun.

Usually no. You wouldn't say 'engendrer une table'. Use it for abstract concepts, feelings, and situations.

Yes, they are cognates and share the same Latin root and meaning.

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