contribuer
contribuer 30秒で
- Contribuer is a versatile French verb meaning to contribute time, money, or effort to a common goal, always requiring the preposition 'à' before its target.
- Commonly used in professional, social, and academic contexts to describe collaboration, donations, or causal factors in a scientific or logical result.
- The verb follows regular -er conjugation patterns and is frequently paired with adverbs like 'largement' or 'efficacement' to specify the level of input.
- Essential for B1 learners to move beyond simple 'help' and describe complex systems of cooperation and influence in both spoken and written French.
The French verb contribuer is a cornerstone of both formal and everyday communication, representing the act of giving something—whether tangible like money or intangible like time, energy, or ideas—to help achieve a collective goal. At its heart, it is about being part of a larger whole and adding value to a shared objective. While English speakers will find it very similar to the English verb 'to contribute', the nuance in French often leans toward a sense of duty or participation in a structured effort. In professional settings, you will hear it used to describe a team member's input on a project. In social contexts, it might refer to someone bringing a dish to a potluck or donating to a charity. The word carries a positive connotation of cooperation and progress. It is not merely about giving; it is about the impact that the gift has on the final outcome. Understanding this word requires recognizing that it almost always involves a relationship between an individual and a group or a cause.
- Core Definition
- To provide assistance, resources, or effort toward a common result or purpose.
Historically, the word derives from the Latin contribuere, which meant to bring together or to unite. This sense of 'bringing together' remains vital today. When you contribuez, you are uniting your personal resources with those of others. It is important to note the grammatical structure: in French, you almost always use the preposition à after the verb. For example, you don't just 'contribuer le projet', you contribuez au projet (contribuer à + le). This small prepositional detail is what separates a beginner from an intermediate learner. Whether you are discussing the economy, where various sectors contribute to the GDP, or a simple family dinner where everyone contributes to the conversation, the verb remains versatile and essential.
Chaque citoyen doit contribuer à la protection de l'environnement par des gestes simples au quotidien.
In a broader sense, contribuer is used in scientific and academic discourse to describe how a particular factor influences a result. For instance, 'Smoking contributes to lung cancer' would be translated as 'Le tabagisme contribue au cancer du poumon'. Here, the word acts as a causal link. It suggests that while one factor might not be the sole cause, it plays a significant role in the outcome. This makes the verb indispensable for explaining complex systems, historical events, or scientific phenomena. It provides a way to discuss multi-faceted situations where many different elements are at play.
- Professional Context
- Used to describe employee performance, project collaboration, and resource allocation in business environments.
Furthermore, the word is often found in the context of 'contributions' (the noun form), such as 'contributions sociales' (social security contributions) or 'contributions financières'. In French society, there is a strong emphasis on the collective, and contribuer reflects this cultural value. It implies that the well-being of the society depends on the individual's willingness to give back. This could be through taxes, volunteering, or simply following civic rules. Therefore, when you use this word, you are often touching upon the social contract that binds people together in French-speaking cultures.
Les nouvelles technologies ont largement contribué à l'accélération de la communication mondiale.
To master this word, one must also understand its synonyms and how they differ. While aider (to help) is more general and participer (to participate) implies being present, contribuer specifically highlights the additive nature of the action. You are adding a piece to the puzzle. If you participate in a meeting, you are there. If you contribute to a meeting, you have provided ideas or solutions. This distinction is vital for clear communication. In summary, contribuer is a powerful verb that bridges the gap between individual action and collective success, making it a vital tool for any B1 level learner or above.
- Social Context
- Refers to volunteering, donating, or assisting in community efforts and civic duties.
Elle a contribué généreusement à la caisse de solidarité pour les employés en grève.
Votre enthousiasme contribue grandement à la bonne ambiance de notre équipe de travail.
L'éducation contribue à l'épanouissement personnel et au développement de la pensée critique.
Using contribuer correctly involves mastering its syntax, particularly the prepositional requirements and the context of the contribution. The most common pattern is contribuer à quelque chose (to contribute to something). This 'something' can be a noun phrase, an infinitive verb, or even a more complex clause. For example, 'Il contribue à améliorer la situation' (He contributes to improving the situation). Notice how the preposition à is followed directly by the infinitive améliorer. This is a very common structure in French and allows for great flexibility in describing actions that lead to a result. If you are contributing money, you might say 'contribuer pour un montant de...', but the target of the contribution still takes à.
- Pattern 1: Noun Phrase
- Sujet + contribuer + à + [Nom]. Example: Le soleil contribue à la croissance des plantes.
In the negative form, the structure remains the same: 'Cela ne contribue pas à la solution' (That does not contribute to the solution). When using adverbs to modify the verb, they typically follow the conjugated verb in simple tenses or the auxiliary in compound tenses. Words like largement (largely), efficacement (effectively), or peu (little) are frequently paired with contribuer to specify the scale or quality of the input. For instance, 'Ils ont largement contribué au financement du projet' (They contributed significantly to the project's funding). This adds a layer of precision to your speech, allowing you to indicate whether a contribution was minor or transformative.
Est-ce que vous souhaitez contribuer à la cagnotte pour l'anniversaire de Marie ?
One nuance to be aware of is the difference between contribuer à and contribuer de. While contribuer à is the standard for 'contributing to a goal', contribuer de is much rarer and usually refers to contributing out of one's own resources (like 'contribuer de ses propres deniers'—to contribute from one's own pockets). For most learners, focusing on à is the priority. Additionally, when the object is a person, we still use à if they represent the 'cause' or 'project', but if you are helping a person directly, aider is usually better. You contribute to a person's success, not the person themselves: 'Je contribue à son succès' (I contribute to his success).
- Pattern 2: Infinitive Verb
- Sujet + contribuer + à + [Verbe à l'infinitif]. Example: Cette mesure contribue à réduire le chômage.
In formal writing, such as reports or essays, contribuer is often used in the passive voice or with impersonal subjects to describe trends. 'Il est reconnu que ces facteurs contribuent à...' (It is recognized that these factors contribute to...). This gives the writing an objective, analytical tone. Conversely, in casual conversation, it might be used more simply: 'Chacun contribue comme il peut' (Everyone contributes as they can). This flexibility makes it a 'high-yield' verb for learners. It works just as well in a PhD thesis as it does at a neighborhood meeting.
Nous devons tous contribuer à maintenir la propreté de notre quartier.
Finally, consider the use of the word in different tenses. In the future tense, 'Je contribuerai à la réussite de ce projet', it sounds like a formal promise or commitment. In the conditional, 'Je contribuerais bien, mais je n'ai pas le temps', it expresses a hypothetical willingness. Mastering these conjugations alongside the prepositional rules will ensure that you use contribuer with the same fluidity as a native speaker. It is a verb that demands a certain level of grammatical rigor but rewards the speaker with clarity and sophistication.
- Pattern 3: Adverbial Modification
- Sujet + contribuer + [Adverbe] + à... Example: Votre aide a énormément contribué à notre projet.
Chaque détail contribue à l'impression générale que dégage cette œuvre d'art.
Il est important que les pays riches contribuent davantage au développement mondial.
L'innovation contribue à la compétitivité des entreprises sur le marché international.
In the real world, the word contribuer echoes through various corridors of French life. If you are watching the news on channels like France 24 or TF1, you will frequently hear it in political debates. Politicians often discuss how certain reforms will contribuer à la croissance économique (contribute to economic growth) or how citizens must contribuer à l'effort national during times of crisis. This usage highlights the word's connection to civic duty and macro-level changes. It is a word of high-level discourse, often used to justify policies or call for collective action. When a government spokesperson speaks, contribuer is a staple in their vocabulary because it sounds constructive and collaborative.
- Media & News
- Used to discuss economic trends, social reforms, and international relations.
In the corporate world, if you work in a French-speaking office, contribuer will appear in your performance reviews. A manager might say, 'Vous avez bien contribué à l'atteinte de nos objectifs cette année' (You contributed well to achieving our goals this year). It is also the standard term in collaborative software or platforms. When you see a 'Contribute' button on a website or an open-source project, the French translation is almost always Contribuer. It implies a professional level of input, suggesting that your effort is recognized as part of a formal structure. In this context, it carries a weight of accountability and professional pride.
Le rapport souligne comment la réduction des déchets peut contribuer à la durabilité de l'entreprise.
In daily social life, you'll encounter the word at community events or family gatherings. If a group of friends is organizing a trip, someone might ask, 'Combien est-ce que chacun doit contribuer ?' (How much does each person need to contribute?). Here, it refers specifically to money. Similarly, at a 'repas partagé' (potluck), someone might say, 'J'ai contribué en apportant le dessert' (I contributed by bringing dessert). This everyday usage is less formal but still maintains the core idea of adding something to a group effort. It is a polite and clear way to discuss sharing the burden of costs or labor.
- Daily Life
- Used for shared expenses, group activities, and community volunteering.
Scientific journals and documentaries also rely heavily on this verb. When explaining how different factors lead to climate change or how a new medicine helps patients, experts use contribuer to describe the relationship between cause and effect. 'Ces émissions de gaz contribuent au réchauffement climatique' (These gas emissions contribute to global warming). This usage is precise and avoids overstating a single cause while acknowledging its importance. For a learner, hearing contribuer in these diverse settings—from the supermarket checkout (donations) to a scientific lecture—demonstrates its immense versatility and importance in the French language.
Chaque don, même petit, contribue à faire avancer la recherche contre le cancer.
Moreover, in the arts, you might hear a director thank everyone who contribué à la réalisation du film. This encompasses everyone from the lead actor to the person providing catering. It's a word that levels the playing field, acknowledging that every part is necessary for the whole. This inclusive nature of the word is perhaps its most beautiful aspect. Whether you are listening to a podcast about history or reading a LinkedIn post, contribuer is the bridge that connects individual effort to the grand tapestry of human achievement.
- Academic/Scientific
- Used to link factors to results without necessarily implying a sole cause.
Le bénévolat permet de contribuer activement à la vie de sa commune.
L'activité physique régulière contribue au maintien d'une bonne santé cardiovasculaire.
Les exportations contribuent de manière significative à la richesse du pays.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using contribuer is forgetting the preposition à. In English, we often say 'to contribute something' (direct object), but in French, you almost always 'contribute TO something'. For example, an English speaker might say 'Je veux contribuer mon temps', which is a literal translation of 'I want to contribute my time'. However, in French, this sounds awkward or incorrect. A better way to say this would be 'Je veux contribuer à ce projet en donnant de mon temps' (I want to contribute to this project by giving my time). The verb contribuer is primarily intransitive in its relationship to the goal.
- Mistake 1: Omission of 'à'
- Incorrect: Il a contribué le succès. Correct: Il a contribué AU succès.
Another common pitfall is the confusion between contribuer and distribuer. While they look similar, their meanings are opposite. Contribuer is about bringing things into a center or a common pool, whereas distribuer is about taking things from a center and giving them out to individuals. If you say 'Je vais contribuer les flyers', people might understand what you mean through context, but you actually mean 'Je vais distribuer les flyers'. This confusion often stems from the shared Latin root tribuere, but the prefixes 'con-' (together) and 'dis-' (apart) are key to distinguishing them.
Attention à ne pas confondre contribuer (apporter) et distribuer (donner à plusieurs personnes).
A third mistake involves the placement of the contribution itself. If you want to specify *what* you are contributing (like money or ideas), you cannot usually place it as a direct object right after the verb. You should use a prepositional phrase like 'en apportant...' or 'par le biais de...'. For instance, instead of saying 'Il a contribué dix euros', a more natural French phrasing would be 'Il a contribué à la collecte avec un don de dix euros' or 'Il a versé dix euros à la cagnotte'. Using contribuer as a simple transitive verb followed by an amount of money is a common 'Anglicism' that French learners should strive to avoid for a more native-sounding flow.
- Mistake 2: Direct Object Usage
- Incorrect: J'ai contribué mon aide. Correct: J'ai apporté mon aide ou J'ai contribué par mon aide.
Overusing contribuer when aider or participer is more appropriate is also a subtle mistake. Contribuer is somewhat formal and implies a result-oriented action. If you are just helping a friend move a couch, you would say 'Je t'aide à déménager', not 'Je contribue à ton déménagement', which sounds like you are writing a formal report about the logistics of their move. Choosing the right level of formality and the right specific verb is part of moving from B1 to B2 and beyond. Always ask yourself: 'Is this a formal group effort or just a simple act of help?'
L'erreur classique est d'oublier que contribuer demande presque toujours la préposition 'à'.
Lastly, be careful with the spelling of the conjugated forms. For example, in the 'nous' form of the present tense, it is contribuons. Some learners mistakenly add an extra 'i' or 'e' because they confuse it with other verb patterns. Similarly, in the subjunctive, 'que nous contribuions' has two 'i's (one from the stem and one from the ending), which can look strange to the eye but is grammatically necessary. Paying attention to these small orthographic details will make your written French look much more professional and accurate.
- Mistake 3: Wrong Context
- Using 'contribuer' for simple, informal help where 'aider' is more natural.
Il ne faut pas dire 'contribuer pour le projet' mais bien 'contribuer au projet'.
Ne confondez pas le verbe contribuer avec le nom une contribution.
Même si l'anglais utilise 'contribute something', le français préfère 'contribuer à quelque chose'.
When you want to express the idea of giving or helping but contribuer doesn't feel quite right, French offers a rich palette of alternatives. The most common synonym is participer. While very close, participer emphasizes the act of taking part in an activity, whereas contribuer emphasizes the result or the value added. If you 'participate' in a race, you are a runner. If you 'contribute' to the race, perhaps you helped organize it or provided the water. Another close relative is aider (to help). Aider is much broader and can be used in almost any situation where assistance is provided. It is less formal than contribuer and focuses more on the person receiving help than the goal being achieved.
- Contribuer vs Participer
- Contribuer focuses on the *input/result*; Participer focuses on the *presence/action*.
In a professional or technical setting, you might use collaborer (to collaborate) or coopérer (to cooperate). Collaborer implies working together as equals on a specific task, often with a creative or intellectual component. Coopérer suggests a more functional or logistical alignment of efforts, often between different organizations or departments. For example, 'Les deux services ont coopéré pour résoudre le problème' (The two departments cooperated to solve the problem). These words are more specific than contribuer and describe the *nature* of the shared effort rather than just the fact that effort was given.
Nous pouvons collaborer sur ce dossier pour aller plus vite.
If the contribution is purely financial, financer (to finance), subventionner (to subsidize), or donner (to give) might be more precise. Financer is used when someone provides the main capital for a project, while contribuer au financement suggests they are just one of many donors. Similarly, apporter (to bring) is a very versatile alternative. You can 'apporter son aide' or 'apporter sa pierre à l'édifice' (to bring one's stone to the building—a common idiom for contributing). Apporter feels more concrete and active than the slightly more abstract contribuer.
- Contribuer vs Aider
- Aider is general and informal; Contribuer is formal and result-oriented.
Finally, consider concourir (to concur/contribute to). This is a more literary or formal term often used to describe factors that work together toward a result. For example, 'Tous ces éléments concourent à sa réussite' (All these elements contribute/concur to his success). It suggests a harmonious or simultaneous contribution from multiple sources. While not used much in daily conversation, you will see it in literature or high-level journalism. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the exact 'flavor' of contribution you want to describe, making your French more expressive and precise.
Il a voulu donner de son temps pour cette noble cause.
In summary, while contribuer is a fantastic all-purpose word, being aware of participer, aider, collaborer, and apporter will give you the flexibility to handle any situation. Whether you are donating money, giving advice, or working on a team, there is a specific French verb that perfectly captures the essence of your action. As you progress in your language journey, try to swap contribuer for one of these more specific alternatives to see how it changes the tone and meaning of your sentences.
- Contribuer vs Concourir
- Concourir is more literary and suggests multiple factors working together toward one end.
Chacun doit apporter sa propre expertise pour que le projet avance.
Les deux entreprises ont décidé de coopérer pour réduire leurs coûts de production.
Votre présence participe à la réussite de cet événement exceptionnel.
How Formal Is It?
豆知識
The root 'tribuere' also gives us the word 'tribe'. Originally, a contribution was something given by a tribe to a central authority.
発音ガイド
- Pronouncing the final 'r' (it should be silent).
- Replacing the nasal 'on' with a clear 'on' + 'n'.
- Using the English 'u' sound instead of the French 'u'.
- Stressing the second syllable like in English 'con-TRI-bute'.
- Confusing the 'tri' sound with 'tree' (it should be shorter and crisper).
難易度
Easy to recognize because of the English cognate.
Requires remembering the preposition 'à' and the contraction 'au/aux'.
The nasal 'on' and the French 'u' can be tricky for beginners.
Clear pronunciation in most contexts.
次に学ぶべきこと
前提知識
次に学ぶ
上級
知っておくべき文法
Verbs with the preposition 'à'
Comme 'contribuer', les verbes 'penser à' et 'réussir à' demandent la préposition 'à'.
Contractions with 'à'
À + le = au. 'Je contribue au succès' (pas 'à le succès').
Subjunctive after 'Il est important que'
Il est important que tu contribues (Subjonctif présent).
Adverb placement
L'adverbe se place après le verbe conjugué : 'Il contribue largement'.
Infinitive after 'à'
Contribuer à + infinitif : 'Cela contribue à renforcer les liens'.
レベル別の例文
Je contribue à la fête avec un gâteau.
I contribute to the party with a cake.
Uses 'contribuer à' + noun.
Elle contribue au projet de la classe.
She contributes to the class project.
Notice 'au' (à + le).
Nous contribuons tous pour le cadeau.
We all contribute for the gift.
Informal use with 'pour'.
Est-ce que tu contribues à la cagnotte ?
Are you contributing to the pot?
Question form.
Il contribue à ranger la salle.
He contributes to tidying the room.
Contribuer à + infinitive.
Ils contribuent à l'effort de groupe.
They contribute to the group effort.
Plural verb form.
Vous contribuez beaucoup, merci !
You contribute a lot, thank you!
Use of the adverb 'beaucoup'.
Je veux contribuer à la solution.
I want to contribute to the solution.
Modal verb 'vouloir' + infinitive.
J'ai contribué à l'achat de la nouvelle voiture.
I contributed to the purchase of the new car.
Passé composé with 'avoir'.
Elle contribue régulièrement à cette association.
She contributes regularly to this association.
Adverb placement after the verb.
Le sport contribue à une bonne santé.
Sports contribute to good health.
Abstract noun as a target.
Ils vont contribuer à la préparation du dîner.
They are going to contribute to preparing dinner.
Futur proche (aller + infinitive).
Chaque élève doit contribuer à la vie de l'école.
Each student must contribute to school life.
Modal verb 'devoir'.
Nous ne contribuons pas assez à la protection de la nature.
We don't contribute enough to nature protection.
Negative form 'ne... pas'.
Votre aide a contribué au succès de l'événement.
Your help contributed to the success of the event.
Subject is 'Votre aide'.
Peux-tu contribuer à porter ces cartons ?
Can you contribute to carrying these boxes?
Contribuer à + infinitive.
Le tourisme contribue largement à l'économie locale.
Tourism contributes significantly to the local economy.
Use of the adverb 'largement'.
L'éducation contribue à réduire les inégalités.
Education contributes to reducing inequalities.
Infinitive structure 'à réduire'.
J'espère que mon travail contribuera à votre réussite.
I hope my work will contribute to your success.
Future tense 'contribuera'.
Il a contribué à créer une ambiance positive au bureau.
He contributed to creating a positive atmosphere at the office.
Passé composé with infinitive.
Ces mesures contribuent à améliorer la sécurité routière.
These measures contribute to improving road safety.
Abstract subject 'Ces mesures'.
Nous devrions tous contribuer à l'effort collectif.
We should all contribute to the collective effort.
Conditional mood 'devrions'.
La lecture contribue au développement de l'imagination.
Reading contributes to the development of imagination.
Abstract relationship.
Elle a décidé de contribuer financièrement à la recherche.
She decided to contribute financially to the research.
Adverb 'financièrement' placement.
La hausse des prix contribue au mécontentement social.
The price increase contributes to social discontent.
Sociopolitical context.
Il est crucial que nous contribuions tous à ce débat.
It is crucial that we all contribute to this debate.
Subjunctive mood 'contribuions'.
Cette découverte contribuera sans doute à l'avancement de la médecine.
This discovery will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of medicine.
Future tense with probability.
L'innovation technologique contribue à transformer notre quotidien.
Technological innovation contributes to transforming our daily lives.
Complex abstract thought.
Bien qu'il soit discret, il contribue énormément au projet.
Although he is discreet, he contributes enormously to the project.
Concessive clause 'Bien qu'il soit'.
Chaque détail contribue à la beauté de cet édifice.
Every detail contributes to the beauty of this building.
Aesthetic context.
Le manque de sommeil peut contribuer à des troubles de l'attention.
Lack of sleep can contribute to attention disorders.
Medical/Psychological context.
Elle a contribué à la rédaction de plusieurs articles scientifiques.
She contributed to the writing of several scientific articles.
Professional achievement.
Les facteurs environnementaux contribuent à l'évolution des espèces.
Environmental factors contribute to the evolution of species.
Scientific discourse.
Il convient de se demander comment l'art contribue à la cohésion sociale.
It is worth asking how art contributes to social cohesion.
Formal introductory phrase.
Ses recherches ont largement contribué à renouveler la pensée sociologique.
His research has largely contributed to renewing sociological thought.
High-level academic impact.
L'instabilité politique contribue à freiner les investissements étrangers.
Political instability contributes to hindering foreign investment.
Economic analysis.
On ne saurait nier que le climat contribue à la qualité des récoltes.
One cannot deny that the climate contributes to the quality of harvests.
Rhetorical construction 'On ne saurait nier'.
Cette politique a contribué à marginaliser une partie de la population.
This policy contributed to marginalizing a part of the population.
Critical social analysis.
Le dialogue interculturel contribue à dissiper les malentendus.
Intercultural dialogue contributes to dispelling misunderstandings.
Abstract sociological concept.
Chaque décision individuelle contribue à façonner l'avenir de la planète.
Every individual decision contributes to shaping the future of the planet.
Philosophical/Global perspective.
L'osmose entre les disciplines contribue à l'émergence de paradigmes novateurs.
The osmosis between disciplines contributes to the emergence of innovative paradigms.
Highly technical/academic vocabulary.
Il est indubitable que la littérature contribue à l'élaboration de la conscience nationale.
It is indubitable that literature contributes to the development of national consciousness.
Sophisticated adverb 'indubitable'.
Les fluctuations monétaires contribuent à l'érosion du pouvoir d'achat.
Monetary fluctuations contribute to the erosion of purchasing power.
Precise economic terminology.
Son œuvre a contribué à la déconstruction des mythes contemporains.
His work contributed to the deconstruction of contemporary myths.
Intellectual/Critical theory context.
La sédentarité contribue de manière insidieuse au développement de pathologies chroniques.
Sedentary lifestyle contributes insidiously to the development of chronic pathologies.
Scientific precision with 'insidieuse'.
L'architecture d'une ville contribue à la psychologie de ses habitants.
The architecture of a city contributes to the psychology of its inhabitants.
Subtle causal relationship.
Chaque mot choisi par le poète contribue à l'économie générale du poème.
Every word chosen by the poet contributes to the general economy of the poem.
Literary analysis.
La convergence des luttes contribue à la remise en question du système établi.
The convergence of struggles contributes to questioning the established system.
Political/Sociological theory.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
— Everyone gives according to what they can afford or do. A common social principle.
Pour le cadeau de départ, chacun contribue selon ses moyens.
— To put money into a common pot for a gift or event. Very common in social groups.
N'oubliez pas de contribuer à la cagnotte pour le mariage !
— To add to the mood or atmosphere of a place. Often used for people's personalities.
Son humour contribue toujours à la bonne ambiance.
— To support a social or political movement. Implies a sense of shared values.
Il a passé tout son week-end à contribuer à la cause humanitaire.
— To help improve someone's health or happiness. Used in wellness and health contexts.
Le calme de la campagne contribue au bien-être.
— To help something grow or expand rapidly. Common in economic or historical contexts.
Le chemin de fer a contribué à l'essor de la ville.
— To work toward ending conflict. A high-level diplomatic phrase.
Les négociations doivent contribuer à la paix dans la région.
— To support scientific study, either through funding or data. Very common in academia.
Votre participation à ce sondage contribue à la recherche médicale.
— To add one's part to a large project. Often used metaphorically.
Chaque employé contribue à l'édifice de notre entreprise.
— To be part of solving a problem. Used to encourage proactive behavior.
Si vous ne contribuez pas à la solution, vous faites partie du problème.
よく混同される語
Distribuer means to hand out; Contribuer means to give to a common pool.
Attribuer means to assign or credit something to someone; Contribuer is about participation.
Retribuer means to pay someone for a service; Contribuer is about giving resources.
慣用句と表現
— To make one's own small contribution to a larger task or project. Very common.
Chacun a apporté sa pierre à l'édifice pour ce festival.
neutral— To pitch in and help with the actual work. Less formal than 'contribuer'.
Tout le monde a mis la main à la pâte pour préparer le buffet.
informal— To pay one's share of a bill or a contribution. Slightly old-fashioned but still used.
Il a versé son écot pour le repas de groupe.
neutral— To do one's duty or share of the work. Simple and effective.
Si tout le monde fait sa part, nous finirons tôt.
informal— To contribute through personal effort and sacrifice rather than money.
Le directeur a payé de sa personne pour sauver l'usine.
neutral— To give a helping hand. Very common for physical help.
Tu peux me donner un coup de main pour porter ça ?
informal— To contribute something that actually helps solve a problem (often used ironically).
Cette idée ne va pas beaucoup faire avancer le Schmilblick.
slang/idiomatic— To take one's share of the burden or responsibility.
Chaque pays doit prendre sa part du fardeau écologique.
formal— To provide arguments or facts that support a particular point of view.
Ces nouvelles preuves apportent de l'eau au moulin de l'accusation.
neutral— To devote one's efforts to a cause or person. A strong form of contribution.
Il s'est mis au service de la justice toute sa vie.
formal間違えやすい
Both involve being part of something.
Participer is about taking part in an action; Contribuer is about the value or resources added to achieve a result.
Il participe au match (he is playing). Il contribue à la victoire (his actions helped win).
Both involve providing assistance.
Aider is general and focuses on the person helped; Contribuer is more formal and focuses on the goal.
Je t'aide avec tes sacs. Je contribue au projet humanitaire.
Both involve giving.
Donner is simply the act of handing something over; Contribuer implies the gift is part of a larger collective effort.
Je donne un livre. Je contribue à la bibliothèque du quartier.
Both involve working together.
Collaborer implies a mutual working relationship; Contribuer can be a one-way provision of resources.
Nous collaborons sur ce livre. J'ai contribué au financement du livre.
Both describe factors that lead to a result.
Favoriser means to encourage or make easier; Contribuer is a more direct causal factor.
Le soleil favorise la pousse. L'eau contribue à la croissance.
文型パターン
Je contribue à + [Nom]
Je contribue à la fête.
J'ai contribué au + [Nom masculin]
J'ai contribué au cadeau.
[Sujet] contribue à + [Verbe infinitif]
Le sport contribue à rester en forme.
[Sujet] contribue [Adverbe] à + [Nom]
Il contribue énormément au projet.
Il est [Adjectif] que [Sujet] contribue à...
Il est nécessaire que chacun contribue à l'effort.
[Nom] a contribué à [Verbe infinitif] + [Nom]
Cette loi a contribué à stabiliser l'économie.
On ne peut ignorer que [Sujet] contribue à...
On ne peut ignorer que la pollution contribue au réchauffement.
[Sujet] contribue de manière [Adjectif] à...
Le stress contribue de manière insidieuse aux maladies chroniques.
語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
関連
使い方
High, especially in professional, media, and academic contexts.
-
Je contribue le projet.
→
Je contribue au projet.
You must use the preposition 'à' (which becomes 'au' before 'le').
-
Il a contribué dix euros.
→
Il a donné dix euros ou Il a contribué pour dix euros.
In French, the amount is usually not the direct object of 'contribuer'.
-
Nous contribuons de le succès.
→
Nous contribuons au succès.
The preposition is 'à', not 'de'.
-
Que nous contribuons (subjunctive).
→
Que nous contribuions.
The 'nous' and 'vous' forms of the subjunctive require an 'i' after the stem.
-
Je vais distribuer à la cagnotte.
→
Je vais contribuer à la cagnotte.
Don't confuse 'distribuer' (to hand out) with 'contribuer' (to give to).
ヒント
Master the Preposition
Always pair 'contribuer' with 'à'. Remember that 'à + le' becomes 'au' and 'à + les' becomes 'aux'. This is the most important rule for using this verb correctly.
Use Adverbs
To sound more like a native, use adverbs like 'largement' (largely), 'grandement' (greatly), or 'modestement' (modestly) to qualify your contribution.
Nuance Your Help
Use 'contribuer' instead of 'aider' when you want to highlight the specific result you are helping to achieve. It sounds more professional and goal-oriented.
Social Solidarity
Recognize that 'contribuer' often carries a sense of social duty in French culture. Using it shows you understand the importance of the collective.
Academic Link
In essays, use 'contribuer à' to explain how different factors lead to a certain outcome. It is a key phrase for logical argumentation.
Nasal Vowels
Practice the 'on' sound in 'con-'. It should be purely nasal, with no 'n' sound at the end. This is a hallmark of good French pronunciation.
Context Clues
When you hear 'contribuer', look for the 'à' immediately after. This will help you identify what the person is talking about contributing to.
Performance Reviews
This is a great verb to use in interviews or reviews. Say 'J'ai contribué à...' to show your impact on a company's success.
Money Matters
When splitting a bill or donating, 'contribuer' is the polite and clear word to use. 'Je vais contribuer à hauteur de 20 euros'.
The Stone Idiom
Learn 'apporter sa pierre à l'édifice'. It's a high-level idiom that will impress native speakers and fits perfectly with the theme of contribution.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of a 'Tribe' (tribu) coming together (con-) to give something. CON-TRIBU-ER.
視覚的連想
Imagine a group of people each placing a single brick into a wall. Each person 'contribue' to the building.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write three sentences about how you contribute to your community, your family, and your workplace using 'contribuer à'.
語源
From the Latin 'contribuere', composed of 'con-' (together) and 'tribuere' (to assign, to give, to divide among tribes).
元の意味: To bring together into one mass or to unite under one tribe.
Romance (Latin root).文化的な背景
No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it for 'distributing' charity, which is 'distribuer'.
While English 'contribute' is often used for money, French 'contribuer' is equally used for abstract efforts and causal factors.
実生活で練習する
実際の使用場面
Finance
- Contribuer au capital
- Contribuer aux frais
- Une contribution financière
- Contribuer à la retraite
Workplace
- Contribuer aux objectifs
- Contribuer au projet
- Une contribution majeure
- Contribuer à la réunion
Science
- Contribuer à la recherche
- Facteurs qui contribuent à
- Contribuer à la découverte
- Contribuer à la preuve
Social/Civic
- Contribuer à l'effort national
- Contribuer à l'association
- Contribuer au débat
- Contribuer à la paix
Daily Life
- Contribuer au ménage
- Contribuer à l'ambiance
- Contribuer pour le cadeau
- Contribuer à la fête
会話のきっかけ
"Comment est-ce que vous contribuez à la protection de l'environnement chez vous ?"
"Pensez-vous que les réseaux sociaux contribuent à améliorer la communication ?"
"Est-ce que vous avez déjà contribué à un projet de financement participatif ?"
"Selon vous, quels facteurs contribuent le plus au bonheur au travail ?"
"Comment chaque citoyen peut-il contribuer à la vie politique de son pays ?"
日記のテーマ
Décrivez une situation où vous avez contribué à la réussite d'un projet d'équipe. Qu'avez-vous apporté ?
Réfléchissez à l'impact de vos habitudes quotidiennes. Comment contribuent-elles à votre santé ?
Écrivez sur une personne célèbre qui a grandement contribué à l'histoire ou à la science.
Si vous aviez un budget illimité, à quelle cause mondiale aimeriez-vous contribuer le plus ?
Analysez comment l'éducation a contribué à façonner la personne que vous êtes aujourd'hui.
よくある質問
10 問Yes, in almost all cases where you are describing the target or goal of the contribution, 'à' is required. If you are contributing money for a specific cause, you might use 'pour', but the goal still takes 'à'. For example, 'Contribuer à la lutte contre la faim'.
'Participer' means to take part in an activity (being present and active), while 'contribuer' means to provide something (money, ideas, effort) that helps achieve a result. You can participate in a meeting without contributing anything useful!
Not really. In French, it is better to say 'contribuer à quelque chose en donnant de son temps' or 'consacrer du temps à quelque chose'. 'Contribuer' is usually intransitive regarding the specific item given.
It is more formal than 'aider', but it is very common in everyday neutral French, especially when talking about money, work, or social issues. It is the standard word in professional and academic settings.
The stem is 'contribu-'. So: que je contribue, que tu contribues, qu'il contribue, que nous contribuions (note the double 'i' sound), que vous contribuiez, qu'ils contribuent.
A 'contribuable' is a taxpayer. It literally means someone who is 'able to contribute' or 'liable to contribute' to the state's finances.
Yes, absolutely. You can say 'Le tabac contribue au cancer' or 'Sa paresse a contribué à l'échec du groupe'. It simply denotes a causal factor, whether positive or negative.
It is a very common idiom meaning 'to make one's contribution to a project'. It translates literally to 'bringing one's stone to the building'. It's a poetic way to say you're helping.
Yes, it is a regular -er verb (first group). It follows the same conjugation pattern as 'parler' or 'aimer'.
The noun is 'une contribution'. For example: 'Votre contribution est très appréciée' (Your contribution is very appreciated).
自分をテスト 180 問
Traduisez : 'I contribute to the group.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Traduisez : 'She contributed to the success.'
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Écrivez une phrase avec 'contribuer à' et 'environnement'.
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Conjuguez 'contribuer' au futur pour 'nous'.
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Traduisez : 'Everyone contributes as they can.'
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Écrivez une phrase avec 'contribuer' au subjonctif.
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Traduisez : 'They will contribute to the funding.'
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Utilisez l'expression 'apporter sa pierre à l'édifice' dans une phrase.
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Traduisez : 'Your help contributed a lot.'
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Écrivez une phrase sur le sport et la santé en utilisant 'contribuer'.
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Traduisez : 'Who wants to contribute?'
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Traduisez : 'We contributed to the gift.'
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Écrivez une phrase formelle utilisant 'contribuer'.
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Traduisez : 'Innovation contributes to growth.'
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Conjuguez 'contribuer' au conditionnel pour 'vous'.
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Traduisez : 'I would like to contribute more.'
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Écrivez une phrase avec 'contribuer' et 'éducation'.
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Traduisez : 'This factor contributes to the problem.'
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Écrivez la forme 'nous' du subjonctif présent.
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Traduisez : 'He has always contributed to the team.'
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Dites : 'Je contribue au projet.'
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Dites : 'Nous contribuons ensemble.'
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Dites : 'Elle a contribué au succès.'
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Dites : 'Voulez-vous contribuer ?'
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Dites : 'Chaque geste contribue.'
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Expliquez comment vous contribuez à votre famille.
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Dites : 'L'innovation contribue à la croissance.'
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Dites : 'Je contribuerai demain.'
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Dites : 'Merci pour votre contribution.'
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Dites : 'Il faut contribuer à la paix.'
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Dites : 'Nous contribuons financièrement.'
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Dites : 'Ils ont largement contribué.'
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Dites : 'Je voudrais contribuer davantage.'
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Dites : 'Le sport contribue au bien-être.'
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Dites : 'C'est une belle contribution.'
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Dites : 'On ne peut pas contribuer à tout.'
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Dites : 'Votre aide a beaucoup contribué.'
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Dites : 'Est-ce que tu contribues à la cagnotte ?'
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Dites : 'Nous contribuons à l'effort collectif.'
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Dites : 'Chacun apporte sa pierre à l'édifice.'
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Écoutez et écrivez : 'Je contribue au projet.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Elle a contribué au succès.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Nous contribuons à la fête.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Chaque geste contribue.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Voulez-vous contribuer ?'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'L'innovation contribue au progrès.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Merci pour votre contribution.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Ils ont largement contribué.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Je contribuerai demain.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Il faut contribuer à la paix.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Nous contribuons à l'effort.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Votre aide a contribué.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Le sport contribue au bien-être.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Chacun contribue comme il peut.'
Écoutez et écrivez : 'Est-ce que tu contribues ?'
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The core of 'contribuer' is the idea of adding value to a collective effort. Remember the essential formula: Sujet + Contribuer + À + [Goal]. For example: 'Chaque geste contribue à sauver la planète.'
- Contribuer is a versatile French verb meaning to contribute time, money, or effort to a common goal, always requiring the preposition 'à' before its target.
- Commonly used in professional, social, and academic contexts to describe collaboration, donations, or causal factors in a scientific or logical result.
- The verb follows regular -er conjugation patterns and is frequently paired with adverbs like 'largement' or 'efficacement' to specify the level of input.
- Essential for B1 learners to move beyond simple 'help' and describe complex systems of cooperation and influence in both spoken and written French.
Master the Preposition
Always pair 'contribuer' with 'à'. Remember that 'à + le' becomes 'au' and 'à + les' becomes 'aux'. This is the most important rule for using this verb correctly.
Use Adverbs
To sound more like a native, use adverbs like 'largement' (largely), 'grandement' (greatly), or 'modestement' (modestly) to qualify your contribution.
Nuance Your Help
Use 'contribuer' instead of 'aider' when you want to highlight the specific result you are helping to achieve. It sounds more professional and goal-oriented.
Social Solidarity
Recognize that 'contribuer' often carries a sense of social duty in French culture. Using it shows you understand the importance of the collective.
例文
Chacun doit contribuer à la réussite du projet.
関連コンテンツ
societyの関連語
action
A1行動、行為。何かをする過程。
adolescent
A2アドレセント(青年)とは、子供時代から大人時代への移行期にある若者のことです。
adulte
A2成人は成長が完了した人です。
agression
B2他人に対する物理的または言葉による攻撃。
appartenir
A2(物が人)のものである、または(人が組織)に属していること。
armée
A2軍隊は、国を守るために組織された武装集団です。
association
A2共通の目的を持つ人々の集まり(協会、団体)。
bâtir
A2建物や壁などを建設すること。
brave
A2Ready to face danger or pain; courageous.
célébration
A2お祝いとは、人々が集まって喜びや祝祭とともに重要な機会を祝う特別なイベントです。