Comprendre 'Mean': Qu'est-ce que tu veux dire ?
intentions, à définir des choses et à clarifier tes propos avec confiance.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'mean' to define words, explain your intentions, or ask for clarification using the preposition 'by'.
- Use 'mean + noun' to define things: 'Aardvark means a type of animal.'
- Use 'mean + to + verb' for intentions: 'I didn't mean to break it.'
- Use 'mean by' for clarification: 'What do you mean by that?'
Overview
mean est l'un des piliers de la langue anglaise. En tant que francophone, tu sais que nous avons une tendance à chercher un équivalent direct, mais mean est un véritable couteau suisse qui couvre des nuances que nous exprimons en français par plusieurs verbes différents : « signifier », « vouloir dire », « avoir l'intention de », ou encore « impliquer ».mean de manière appropriée permet de distinguer une définition d'une intention ou d'une conséquence. Contrairement au français où le verbe « signifier » est assez formel, mean est omniprésent dans la vie quotidienne, que tu sois au café avec des amis, en réunion au bureau ou en train de discuter de tes projets futurs. Comprendre la logique derrière ce verbe, c'est passer d'une traduction mot à mot à une réflexion en anglais.mean, il faut le diviser en quatre fonctions logiques. En français, nous avons des structures assez rigides, alors qu'en anglais, la structure grammaticale change selon le sens voulu.- 1La définition (Signification) : C'est l'usage le plus proche de « vouloir dire ». Ici, le sujet est souvent un mot ou un symbole.
- Exemple :
What does 'resilient' mean?(Que veut dire « résilient » ?). Ici,meanest lié à un nom ou une clause.
- 1L'intention (Volonté) : C'est ici que tu dois faire attention. Quand tu veux dire « j'avais l'intention de », on utilise
mean+to+base verb. En français, nous utilisons le verbe « avoir l'intention de » ou « vouloir » (ex: « Je voulais t'appeler »). En anglais,I meant to call youexprime une intention passée qui n'a peut-être pas été réalisée.
- 1La conséquence (Implication) : C'est un usage très courant.
Meanexprime ce qu'une action entraîne. Structure :mean+gerund(-ing).
- Exemple :
Moving to London means finding a new job.En français, on dirait « implique de trouver » ou « signifie trouver ». L'anglais utilise le gérondif, ce qui est une différence majeure avec le français qui préfère souvent l'infinitif après un verbe.
- 1L'importance émotionnelle : On utilise
mean+a lot/everything+to+personne. C'est très affectif. « Ça compte beaucoup pour moi » devientIt means a lot to me.
Mean est un verbe irrégulier. C'est une erreur classique de vouloir ajouter « -ed » au passé. Le passé et le participe passé sont meant (prononcé /ment/).mean | I don't mean to be rude. |means | It means a lot to her. |meant | I meant to send the email. |meant | I have meant to do it for weeks. |meaning | The meaning of this word is... |do/does/did. C'est une règle absolue en anglais, contrairement au français où l'on utilise « ne... pas » ou l'inversion.- Négation :
I don't mean that. - Question :
Did you mean what you said?
mean dans ces contextes précis :- Clarification : En pleine conversation, si tu te trompes, utilise
I meanpour te corriger. Exemple :It's at 5 PM – I mean, 6 PM.C'est exactement comme notre « enfin » ou « je veux dire » en français. - Définition : Quand tu demandes le sens d'un mot :
What does that mean?. - Engagement : Pour exprimer une intention :
I mean to finish this project. - Conséquence logique : Pour expliquer un résultat :
If you win, it means you get a prize.
- 1Confusion avec « Actually » : Beaucoup de francophones disent
I meanpour dire « en fait ». C'est une erreur.I meansert à clarifier. Pour « en fait », utiliseactually. - 2Oubli de l'auxiliaire : En français, on dit « Tu veux dire quoi ? ». L'erreur est de dire
You mean what?au lieu deWhat do you mean?. L'anglais exige toujours l'auxiliairedodans les questions. - 3L'infinitif vs Gérondif : Les francophones ont tendance à mettre l'infinitif partout. Dire
It means to result in...est une erreur. Aprèsmeandans le sens de « conséquence », il faut utiliser le gérondif :It means resulting in...(ou plus simplementIt means that...).
I meant to say | Intention |It means | Définition |It means a lot to me | Valeur affective |Actually | Correction / Réalité |- 1Peut-on utiliser
meanau continu ? Oui, mais c'est rare.Are you meaning to say...?est possible, maisDo you mean to say...?est beaucoup plus courant et naturel. - 2Est-ce que
meanest la même chose queintend?Intendest plus formel, souvent utilisé dans un contexte professionnel ou écrit.Meanest le mot de tous les jours. - 3Comment dire « Je n'ai pas fait exprès » ? On utilise souvent
I didn't mean tosuivi du verbe. Par exemple :I didn't mean to break your glass.C'est une expression très utile pour s'excuser poliment.
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
do not mean
|
don't mean
|
Common
|
|
does not mean
|
doesn't mean
|
Common
|
|
did not mean
|
didn't mean
|
Common
|
Conjugation of the Verb 'Mean'
| Tense | Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I/You/We/They
|
mean
|
I mean what I say.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He/She/It
|
means
|
It means a lot.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
meant
|
I meant to call.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
I/You/We/They
|
have meant
|
I have always meant to visit.
|
|
Past Participle
|
All subjects
|
meant
|
It was meant to be.
|
|
Gerund
|
All subjects
|
meaning
|
Meaning well isn't enough.
|
Meanings
The verb 'mean' is used to express the sense of a word, the intention of an actor, or the significance of an event.
Definition/Signification
To have a specific meaning or to represent a concept.
“The red light means you must stop.”
“What does 'ubiquitous' mean?”
Intention
To intend to do something or to have a purpose.
“I meant to call you, but I forgot.”
“She didn't mean to be rude.”
Importance/Value
To have importance or value to someone.
“This ring means a lot to me.”
“Your support means everything.”
Result/Consequence
To result in or involve something as a necessary part.
“Lowering prices means less profit.”
“The new job means moving to London.”
Reference Table
| Signification | Structure | Exemple | Contexte |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Signifier/Définir
|
`mean` + Nom/Clause
|
What does 'DIY' `mean`?
|
Clarifier des termes
|
|
Avoir l'intention/Prévoir
|
`mean to` + Verbe
|
I `mean to finish` work early.
|
Énoncer un but
|
|
Entraîner/Impliquer
|
`mean` + V-ing/Nom
|
Being late `means missing` the train.
|
Conséquences
|
|
Être important pour
|
`mean` + Nom + `to` + Personne
|
You `mean a lot to` me.
|
Exprimer de la valeur
|
|
Être sérieux
|
`mean it`
|
I `mean it`!
|
Souligner la vérité
|
|
Intention passée
|
`meant to` + Verbe
|
He `meant to call` you.
|
Plans non réalisés
|
Spectre de formalité
Could you please elaborate on what you mean by 'restructuring'? (Workplace)
What do you mean by 'restructuring'? (Workplace)
What do you mean, 'restructuring'? (Workplace)
WDYM restructuring? (Workplace)
Les multiples significations de 'Mean'
Signifier/Définir
- What does this word mean? Recherche de définition
- Red light means stop. Signification symbolique
Intention/Plan
- I mean to call you. Action délibérée
- She didn't mean any harm. Absence de mauvaise intention
Résultat/Impliquer
- Promotion means more work. Conséquence
- Being late means missing class. Implication
Importance/Valeur
- You mean a lot to me. Signification personnelle
- This opportunity means everything. Grande valeur
'Mean to' vs. 'Mean -ing'
Choisir la bonne utilisation de 'Mean'
Parles-tu d'un but ou d'un plan ?
Demandes-tu une définition ou expliques-tu ce que quelque chose signifie ?
Discutez-vous d'un résultat ou d'une conséquence d'une action ?
Expressions clés avec 'Mean'
Clarification
- • What do you mean?
- • What do you mean by that?
Sérieux
- • I mean it.
- • She means business.
Importance
- • It means a lot.
- • You mean the world to me.
Excuse
- • I didn't mean to...
- • He means no harm.
Exemples par niveau
What does this word mean?
What is the definition of this word?
Red means stop.
The color red signifies stopping.
You mean a lot to me.
You are very important to me.
Does this mean yes?
Is this a 'yes'?
I didn't mean to hurt you.
It was not my intention to cause you pain.
He meant to call yesterday.
He intended to call but didn't.
What did she mean by that?
What was her intention with those words?
I meant the other one.
I was referring to the different one.
What do you mean by 'expensive'?
How do you define 'expensive' in this case?
Working here means traveling a lot.
This job involves frequent travel.
I've been meaning to ask you something.
I have intended to ask you for a while.
That's not what I meant at all.
My intention was completely different.
The failure of the pump meant that the whole system crashed.
The pump failure resulted in a system crash.
I didn't mean for this to happen.
I did not intend for this situation to occur.
Do you mean to tell me you lost the keys?
Are you seriously saying you lost them?
By no means is this an easy task.
This is definitely not an easy task.
The gesture was meant as a peace offering.
The intention of the gesture was peace.
I mean, it’s not that I don’t like him, but he’s difficult.
Let me clarify: I like him, but he is hard to work with.
What is meant by 'justice' varies across cultures.
The definition of justice is culturally dependent.
He is a man of considerable means.
He is a very wealthy man.
The end justifies the means.
The result is so important that any method is okay.
It was no mean feat to complete the marathon in under three hours.
It was a very impressive achievement.
The poem's imagery is meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
The purpose of the imagery is to create nostalgia.
I mean to say, the implications are staggering.
What I am trying to express is that the results are shocking.
Facile à confondre
Both express purpose, but 'intend' is much more formal.
Learners use the noun when they need the verb.
The same word has totally different meanings.
Erreurs courantes
What means this word?
What does this word mean?
This word is meaning apple.
This word means apple.
It mean a lot.
It means a lot.
What mean 'hello'?
What does 'hello' mean?
I meant call you.
I meant to call you.
I didn't meant it.
I didn't mean it.
He is mean to go.
He means to go.
What do you mean with that?
What do you mean by that?
I've been meaning asking you.
I've been meaning to ask you.
This means to work harder.
This means working harder.
The end justifies the mean.
The end justifies the means.
Structures de phrases
What does ___ mean?
I didn't mean to ___.
What do you mean by ___?
___ means ___ing.
Real World Usage
WDYM you can't come tonight?
I mean to contribute to the growth of this company.
What do you mean by 'non-refundable'?
You mean the world to me.
Does this word mean the same as 'big'?
The term 'User' shall mean any person accessing the site.
Le contexte est roi !
The surrounding sentence is your best friend.
Ne confonds pas 'Mean' et 'Want'
veux un café ('want' coffee), tu ne veux pas dire un café ('mean' coffee) ! Utilise 'want' ou 'would like' pour exprimer un désir, pas 'mean'. Sinon, tu pourrais embrouiller les gens au café. I want coffee.Maîtrise 'Mean to' vs 'Mean -ing'
I meant to send the email.
Le ton dans 'What Do You Mean?'
Could you explain what you mean?
Smart Tips
Use 'I didn't mean to' followed by the action. It sounds much more sincere than just saying 'Sorry'.
Don't just say 'What?'. Say 'What does [word] mean?'. It's the hallmark of a proactive learner.
Use 'What do you mean by that?' to pause and get a better explanation.
Use 'mean + -ing' to list the responsibilities. It sounds very professional.
Prononciation
Mean vs Meant
The present tense 'mean' has a long /iː/ sound. The past tense 'meant' changes to a short /e/ sound.
Meaning
The 'ng' at the end is a soft nasal sound, not a hard 'g'.
Clarification Question
What do you mean by ↗THAT?
Rising intonation on the last word shows genuine curiosity or surprise.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Mean what you say, and say what you mean! Use 'to' for plans and 'by' for the way.
Association visuelle
Imagine a dictionary with a heart inside it. The dictionary represents the 'definition' sense, and the heart represents the 'intention' and 'importance' senses.
Rhyme
If you mean to do it, you have a plan. If you mean by it, explain if you can!
Story
A student named Mark didn't 'mean to' spill coffee on a dictionary. He asked the teacher, 'What does 'clumsy' mean?' The teacher said, 'It means you, Mark!' Mark laughed because the teacher 'meant it' as a joke.
Word Web
Défi
Write three sentences: one about what a word in your native language means in English, one about something you meant to do today but didn't, and one about what your favorite hobby means to you.
Notes culturelles
In the UK, 'mean' is very commonly used to mean 'stingy' or 'not generous with money'.
In the US, 'mean' often refers to someone who is 'unfriendly' or 'cruel' in their behavior.
In mathematics and statistics globally, 'mean' refers to the average of a set of numbers.
Derived from the Old English 'mænan', which meant 'to tell, say, or complain'.
Amorces de conversation
What does 'success' mean to you?
Have you ever said something and then had to say 'I didn't mean it'?
What do you mean to do after you finish your English course?
If you could change one thing about your city, what would it mean for the people living there?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
I didn't ___ to hurt your feelings.
Choisis la phrase correcte :
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesWhat ___ 'ubiquitous' mean?
What do you mean ___ that comment?
Find and fix the mistake:
I didn't meant to break your phone.
It was my intention to help you.
A: We need to talk. B: What do you ___?
1. I mean to go. 2. It means a lot. 3. What does it mean?
mean / what / by / do / you / 'soon' / ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesWhat does 'ubiquitous' ___?
She mean to finish her assignment today.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Lo siento, no quise ofenderte.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the phrases with their primary meaning:
They ___ to meet us at the cafe, but got stuck in traffic.
Having a pet dog means to walk it every day.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella no quiso ser grosera.'
Arrange these words into a question:
Match the tense with the correct form of 'mean':
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, 'mean' can be an adjective (meaning cruel or stingy) or a noun (meaning the average in math). However, at B1, you mostly use it as a verb.
Yes, that is perfectly correct. It uses the noun `meaning` instead of the verb `mean`. It is slightly more formal.
We use `mean to` for our own intentions. We use `mean for` when we intend something for someone else, e.g., 'I meant for you to have this.'
It is an irregular verb. Many English verbs change their vowel sound in the past tense (like 'keep/kept' or 'sleep/slept').
Not necessarily. It's a natural filler, but if you say it every three words, it can be distracting. Use it to clarify your thoughts.
Yes, especially in the phrase `be meant to`. For example, 'You are meant to be here at 8:00' (meaning you are supposed to be here).
Usually, yes. You mean *something* or you mean *to do something*. The only exception is the idiomatic 'I mean it!'
It is an idiom meaning a very difficult and impressive achievement.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
significar / querer decir
English uses one verb ('mean') where Spanish often switches between two.
signifier / vouloir dire
French 'vouloir dire' literally translates to 'to want to say'.
bedeuten / meinen
German strictly separates 'bedeuten' (objects) from 'meinen' (people).
意味する (imi suru) / つもり (tsumori)
Japanese uses completely different words for definition vs. intention.
يعني (ya'ni)
Arabic 'ya'ni' is used even more frequently as a discourse marker than English 'I mean'.
意思是 (yìsi shì) / 打算 (dǎsuàn)
Chinese requires a noun ('meaning') to express what a word 'means'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Vidéos associées
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