écrire
écrire 30초 만에
- Irregular 3rd group verb.
- Means 'to write' or 'to spell'.
- Takes 'avoir' in compound tenses.
- Often uses indirect object 'à'.
The French verb écrire is a fundamental vocabulary word that translates to 'to write' in English. It is an irregular third-group verb, making its conjugation a crucial milestone for learners. Understanding écrire goes beyond the simple physical act of putting pen to paper; it encompasses the entire cognitive and communicative process of expressing thoughts, recording history, and sharing information through written symbols. In its most basic sense, it refers to the manual or digital creation of text. However, its usage spans across various contexts, from writing a quick text message to authoring a comprehensive novel. The etymology traces back to the Latin 'scribere', which shares roots with many English words like 'scribe', 'script', and 'describe'. Mastering this verb opens up the ability to discuss communication, literature, education, and daily correspondence. Throughout your French learning journey, you will encounter écrire in numerous idiomatic expressions and compound forms. It is essential to grasp not only its literal meaning but also its syntactical requirements, such as its use with indirect objects (écrire à quelqu'un) and direct objects (écrire quelque chose). The act of writing is deeply embedded in French culture, which places a high value on literature, philosophy, and formal correspondence. Therefore, using écrire correctly demonstrates a solid foundation in the language. As you progress from A1 to advanced levels, the nuances of how and what you write will evolve, but the core verb remains the same. Let us explore the various dimensions of this essential verb through examples and structured breakdowns.
- Literal Meaning
- To trace letters or symbols on a surface to convey meaning.
J'aime écrire dans mon journal intime tous les soirs.
- Figurative Meaning
- To compose a literary or musical work, or to establish a record.
Victor Hugo a écrit de nombreux chefs-d'œuvre.
- Digital Context
- To type or send a message electronically.
Je vais t'écrire un e-mail demain matin.
Il est en train d'écrire un texto à sa mère.
Elle veut écrire un livre sur son voyage en Asie.
Using écrire correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity and the prepositions it commands. It can be used as a transitive verb (taking a direct object), an intransitive verb (without an object), or a ditransitive verb (taking both a direct and an indirect object). The most common structure is 'écrire quelque chose à quelqu'un' (to write something to someone). The indirect object is introduced by the preposition 'à', which is crucial when replacing the object with pronouns. For example, 'Je lui écris' (I write to him/her) uses the indirect object pronoun 'lui'. It is a common mistake for English speakers to omit the 'à' or use the wrong pronoun. Additionally, écrire is heavily used in the passive voice, especially in formal or historical contexts, such as 'Ce livre a été écrit en 1920' (This book was written in 1920). When used reflexively, 's'écrire', it can mean 'to be written' (spelled) or 'to write to each other'. For instance, 'Comment ça s'écrit ?' (How is that spelled/written?) is an incredibly useful phrase for beginners. The reflexive form 'Ils s'écrivent tous les jours' means 'They write to each other every day'. Understanding these structural variations is key to fluency. Furthermore, the conjugation of écrire must be memorized as it serves as a model for derived verbs like 'décrire' (to describe) and 'inscrire' (to register). In the present tense, the plural forms introduce a 'v' (nous écrivons, vous écrivez, ils écrivent), which is a common stumbling block. The past participle is 'écrit', which must agree in gender and number with a preceding direct object in compound tenses. Mastering these grammatical rules ensures accurate and natural usage of the verb in both spoken and written French.
- Direct Object
- Écrire une lettre, un livre, un message.
Nous devons écrire un essai pour demain.
- Indirect Object
- Écrire à un ami, à ses parents.
J'ai oublié d'écrire à mon grand-père.
- Pronominal Form
- S'écrire (to spell, to write to each other).
Ton nom de famille, ça s'écrit comment ?
Marie et Paul s'écrivent de longues lettres.
Le mot écrire est un verbe du troisième groupe.
The verb écrire is ubiquitous in the French language, appearing in almost every facet of daily life, education, professional environments, and media. In everyday conversation, you will frequently hear it in the context of digital communication. Phrases like 'Je t'écris plus tard' (I'll text/write you later) or 'Il m'a écrit ce matin' (He wrote/messaged me this morning) are standard. In educational settings, it is a constant directive from teachers: 'Écrivez la date', 'Écrivez vos réponses', or 'Il faut écrire lisiblement'. It is also central to administrative tasks, where you might be asked to 'écrire en lettres majuscules' (write in capital letters) on forms. In the professional world, écrire is used to discuss drafting reports, sending emails, and formal correspondence. Literature and journalism heavily rely on this verb to discuss authorship and reporting. You will hear critics say, 'C'est très bien écrit' (It's very well written) or 'Il écrit pour un grand journal' (He writes for a major newspaper). Furthermore, the verb appears in numerous cultural expressions and idioms. For example, 'C'était écrit' implies destiny (It was written/meant to be). The versatility of écrire means that a learner will encounter it from their very first French lesson and continue to discover new nuances and applications all the way to advanced fluency. Whether it is a simple note on a fridge, a complex legal document, or a romantic poem, the act of writing is a cornerstone of human interaction, making écrire an unavoidable and essential vocabulary word.
- Daily Life
- Texting, emailing, leaving notes.
Je vais t'écrire la liste des courses.
- School & Work
- Essays, reports, exams, formal letters.
Le professeur nous a demandé d'écrire un résumé.
- Literature & Art
- Authorship, composing music or poetry.
Elle rêve d'écrire un roman à succès.
Ce poème a été écrit au 19ème siècle.
C'était écrit dans les étoiles.
Learners of French frequently make several specific mistakes when using the verb écrire. The most prominent errors relate to its irregular conjugation. In the present tense, beginners often forget the 'v' in the plural forms, incorrectly saying 'nous écrions' instead of the correct 'nous écrivons'. Another major hurdle is the past participle. Because it ends in a 't' ('écrit'), learners sometimes confuse it with regular '-ir' verbs and try to say 'écri' or 'écris' for the participle. Furthermore, the agreement of the past participle can be tricky. When the direct object precedes the verb in a compound tense, the participle must agree. For example, 'La lettre que j'ai écrite' requires an 'e' at the end of 'écrit' because 'lettre' is feminine. Syntactically, English speakers often translate 'to write someone' directly, omitting the necessary preposition 'à'. You cannot say 'J'écris mon ami'; it must be 'J'écris à mon ami'. Consequently, when using pronouns, learners mistakenly use direct object pronouns ('Je l'écris' meaning 'I write him') instead of the correct indirect object pronouns ('Je lui écris'). Another common confusion arises between écrire and its synonyms. While 'écrire' is the general term, using it in highly formal contexts where 'rédiger' (to draft/compose) would be more appropriate can sound slightly unnatural to native ears. Lastly, spelling the verb itself can be problematic; learners sometimes double the 'c' or misplace the accent aigu, writing 'éccrire' or 'ecrire' without the accent. Paying close attention to these common pitfalls will significantly improve your accuracy and confidence when using this essential verb.
- Conjugation Errors
- Forgetting the 'v' in plural present tense.
Incorrect: Nous écrions. Correct: Nous écrivons.
- Missing Preposition
- Forgetting 'à' before a person.
Incorrect: J'écris ma mère. Correct: J'écris à ma mère.
- Pronoun Confusion
- Using direct instead of indirect pronouns.
Incorrect: Je le écris. Correct: Je lui écris.
La lettre que j'ai écrite (agreement with preceding direct object).
Il faut bien écrire le mot avec un accent aigu.
While écrire is the most common and versatile verb for 'to write', the French language offers several synonyms and related terms that provide more precision depending on the context. 'Rédiger' is a highly useful synonym that means to draft, compose, or write out formally. It is typically used for essays, reports, contracts, and articles. For example, 'rédiger un contrat' implies a careful, structured writing process. 'Noter' means to note down or take notes, focusing on the act of recording information quickly for memory, as in 'noter une adresse'. 'Inscrire' translates to 'to inscribe' or 'to register', used when writing a name on a list or engraving words on a surface. 'Taper' is the modern equivalent for typing on a keyboard, though 'écrire' is still widely used for digital text. For instance, 'taper un texte à l'ordinateur' specifically refers to the physical action of hitting keys. 'Coucher sur le papier' is a poetic idiom meaning to put down on paper. 'Saisir' is used in administrative or IT contexts meaning to input or enter data. Understanding these distinctions allows learners to elevate their vocabulary from basic to advanced. Using 'rédiger' instead of 'écrire' in a business email demonstrates a higher level of professional French. Similarly, knowing when to use 'noter' versus 'écrire' helps convey the exact nature of the action. Expanding your vocabulary around the concept of writing will greatly enhance your descriptive abilities and reading comprehension.
- Rédiger
- To draft or compose formally.
L'avocat va rédiger le contrat de vente.
- Noter
- To note down, to take notes.
Attends, je vais noter ton numéro de téléphone.
- Taper
- To type on a keyboard.
Elle passe sa journée à taper sur son clavier.
Il faut s'inscrire sur la liste de présence.
Il a décidé de coucher sur le papier ses mémoires.
How Formal Is It?
난이도
알아야 할 문법
Irregular 3rd group verb conjugations.
Direct vs. Indirect objects (COI/COD).
Past participle agreement with 'avoir'.
Pronominal verbs (s'écrire).
Use of prepositions (écrire À quelqu'un).
수준별 예문
J'écris une lettre.
I am writing a letter.
Present tense, 1st person singular.
Tu écris ton nom.
You write your name.
Present tense, 2nd person singular.
Il écrit un livre.
He is writing a book.
Present tense, 3rd person singular.
Nous écrivons un message.
We are writing a message.
Present tense, 1st person plural. Note the 'v'.
Vous écrivez bien.
You write well.
Present tense, 2nd person plural.
Elles écrivent au tableau.
They are writing on the board.
Present tense, 3rd person plural.
Je veux écrire.
I want to write.
Infinitive used after a conjugated modal verb (vouloir).
Comment ça s'écrit ?
How is it spelled?
Pronominal form used for spelling.
J'ai écrit un e-mail.
I wrote an email.
Passé composé with auxiliary 'avoir'.
Elle a écrit à sa mère.
She wrote to her mother.
Passé composé with indirect object preposition 'à'.
Nous allons écrire une histoire.
We are going to write a story.
Futur proche (aller + infinitive).
Tu n'as pas écrit ?
You didn't write?
Negative form in the passé composé.
Ils ont écrit des cartes postales.
They wrote postcards.
Passé composé with plural direct object.
Je dois écrire mon adresse.
I must write my address.
Infinitive after the modal verb 'devoir'.
Il écrivait souvent.
He used to write often.
Imparfait used for a habitual past action.
Écris ton numéro ici.
Write your number here.
Imperative mood, 2nd person singular.
Je lui ai écrit hier.
I wrote to him/her yesterday.
Use of indirect object pronoun 'lui' in passé composé.
La lettre que j'ai écrite est longue.
The letter that I wrote is long.
Past participle agreement with preceding direct object 'que' (la lettre).
Si j'avais le temps, j'écrirais un roman.
If I had the time, I would write a novel.
Conditionnel présent used in a 'si' clause (hypothesis).
Il faut écrire sans faire de fautes.
One must write without making mistakes.
Impersonal expression 'il faut' + infinitive.
Nous leur écrivons tous les mois.
We write to them every month.
Use of plural indirect object pronoun 'leur'.
Pendant qu'elle parlait, je prenais des notes et j'écrivais.
While she was speaking, I was taking notes and writing.
Imparfait used for simultaneous past actions.
C'est le meilleur livre qu'il ait jamais écrit.
It's the best book he has ever written.
Subjonctif passé used after a superlative.
Je viens d'écrire à la direction.
I just wrote to the management.
Passé récent (venir de + infinitive).
Il est essentiel que vous écriviez ce rapport avant midi.
It is essential that you write this report before noon.
Subjonctif présent required after 'Il est essentiel que'.
Bien qu'il écrive mal, ses idées sont brillantes.
Although he writes poorly, his ideas are brilliant.
Subjonctif present after the conjunction 'Bien que'.
Ce poème a été écrit par Baudelaire.
This poem was written by Baudelaire.
Passive voice in the passé composé.
Ils se sont écrit pendant des années avant de se rencontrer.
They wrote to each other for years before meeting.
Pronominal verb in the passé composé with reciprocal meaning.
C'est en écrivant qu'on devient écrivain.
It is by writing that one becomes a writer.
Gérondif (en + participe présent) expressing means or method.
Je n'aurais jamais cru qu'elle écrirait une telle chose.
I would never have believed she would write such a thing.
Conditionnel présent used for future in the past.
Les articles qu'ils ont fait écrire par des experts sont excellents.
The articles they had written by experts are excellent.
Causative construction (faire + infinitive). No agreement on 'fait'.
Après avoir écrit la conclusion, il a fermé son ordinateur.
After having written the conclusion, he closed his computer.
Infinitif passé used after 'Après'.
Il écrivit son premier chef-d'œuvre à l'âge de vingt ans.
He wrote his first masterpiece at the age of twenty.
Passé simple, typical of literary or historical narrative.
Que vous l'écriviez ou non, la décision est prise.
Whether you write it down or not, the decision is made.
Subjonctif in a concessive clause.
C'est un destin qui était écrit d'avance.
It's a destiny that was written in advance (foregone conclusion).
Figurative use of the past participle as an adjective.
Il s'est mis en tête d'écrire l'histoire de la Révolution.
He took it into his head to write the history of the Revolution.
Advanced vocabulary and infinitive phrase.
Les mémoires qu'il s'est vu contraint d'écrire ont fait scandale.
The memoirs he found himself forced to write caused a scandal.
Complex pronominal and passive structure.
Pour peu qu'il écrive avec sincérité, le public le suivra.
Provided he writes with sincerity, the public will follow him.
Subjonctif after 'Pour peu que'.
Elle a le don d'écrire des dialogues qui font mouche.
She has the gift of writing dialogues that hit the mark.
Idiomatic expression 'faire mouche' combined with infinitive.
L'accord, tel qu'il fut écrit, ne laissait aucune place à l'ambiguïté.
The agreement, as it was written, left no room for ambiguity.
Formal passive structure with 'tel que'.
Il eut écrit sa lettre avant même que l'aube ne poigne.
He had written his letter even before dawn broke.
Passé antérieur, a highly literary tense indicating immediate precedence.
Son style, d'une fulgurance rare, s'écrit en marge des conventions.
His style, of rare brilliance, is written on the margins of conventions.
Metaphorical use of the pronominal form.
Eût-il écrit un seul mot de plus, la censure l'aurait frappé.
Had he written a single word more, censorship would have struck him.
Conditionnel passé 2ème forme (or plus-que-parfait du subjonctif) used for a hypothesis.
C'est une loi non écrite qui régit les rapports sociaux dans ce milieu.
It is an unwritten law that governs social relations in this environment.
Use of 'non écrit' as a compound adjective.
Il s'inscrit en faux contre tout ce qui a été écrit sur le sujet.
He vehemently denies everything that has been written on the subject.
Advanced idiom 's'inscrire en faux' related to the concept of writing/recording.
La douleur, indicible, ne saurait s'écrire avec de simples mots.
The pain, unspeakable, cannot be written with simple words.
Use of 'savoir' in the conditional to express impossibility.
Quoi qu'il en ait écrit par la suite, ses premières œuvres demeurent inégalées.
Whatever he may have written about it subsequently, his early works remain unmatched.
Subjonctif passé in a concessive structure 'Quoi que'.
Le traité fut rédigé dans une langue si absconse que nul ne put le déchiffrer.
The treaty was drafted in a language so abstruse that no one could decipher it.
Use of synonym 'rédiger' in a highly formal, literary past tense narrative.
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'Écrire' is neutral. 'Rédiger' is formal. 'Griffonner' (to scribble) is informal.
The verb has seamlessly transitioned from describing carving in stone, to using a quill, to typing on a smartphone, without losing its core meaning.
In Quebec, 'texter' is commonly used for texting, while in France 'envoyer un texto' or 'écrire un SMS' is more standard, though 'texter' is gaining ground.
- Saying 'J'écris mon ami' instead of 'J'écris à mon ami'.
- Conjugating the plural present as 'nous écrions' instead of 'nous écrivons'.
- Using the direct pronoun 'le/la' (Je l'écris) instead of indirect 'lui' (Je lui écris) for people.
- Forgetting the feminine agreement on the past participle when required (e.g., La lettre que j'ai écrit -> écrite).
- Misspelling the infinitive as 'ecrire' without the accent aigu.
팁
Don't forget the 'à'
Always remember that 'écrire' takes the preposition 'à' before a person. It is 'écrire à Paul', not 'écrire Paul'. This is crucial for choosing the right pronouns later.
Silent 't'
The 't' at the end of the past participle 'écrit' is silent. Pronounce it like 'é-cri'. You only pronounce the 't' if there is a liaison with a following vowel, or if it has an 'e' added for feminine agreement (écrite).
Use 'rédiger' for essays
If you are talking about writing a school paper, a thesis, or a formal report, use the verb 'rédiger'. It sounds much more academic and precise than just 'écrire'.
One 'c', one accent
A common spelling mistake is writing 'éccrire' or 'ecrire'. Remember it has only one 'c' and the first 'e' always takes an accent aigu (é).
Texting vocabulary
In modern French, you don't need a special verb for texting. 'Je t'écris' is perfectly understood as 'I'll text you' in the context of mobile phones.
Memorize the plural 'v'
The biggest hurdle in the present tense is the plural. Drill 'nous écrivons, vous écrivez, ils écrivent' until it feels natural. The 'v' is essential.
Noir sur blanc
Use the phrase 'mettre noir sur blanc' (to put black on white) when you want to emphasize getting something in writing for proof or clarity.
Listen for liaisons
In spoken French, 'ils écrivent' has a strong 'z' sound linking the words: [il-z-écrivent]. This is how you distinguish it from singular 'il écrit' [il-écrit].
Pronominal meaning
'S'écrire' doesn't just mean to write to each other. It's the standard way to ask how a word is spelled: 'Comment ça s'écrit ?'
Handwriting matters
In France, cursive handwriting is highly valued. If you ever have to 'écrire une lettre de motivation' (cover letter) by hand, make sure your 'écriture' is neat!
암기하기
기억법
Imagine a CRIER (crire) yelling out the letters E (é) as they WRITE them down. É-CRIRE.
어원
Latin
문화적 맥락
In formal situations, a handwritten letter (une lettre manuscrite) is still highly valued, especially for condolences or formal invitations, demonstrating respect and effort.
The phrase 'noir sur blanc' (black on white) emphasizes the undeniable proof of something written down, reflecting the legal and cultural weight of written documents in France.
France has a deep reverence for 'les hommes de lettres' (men of letters). The act of writing has historically been tied to intellectual authority and political power.
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실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"Qu'est-ce que tu aimes écrire ? (What do you like to write?)"
"Est-ce que tu écris souvent des lettres ? (Do you often write letters?)"
"Comment s'écrit ton prénom ? (How is your first name spelled?)"
"Quel est le dernier message que tu as écrit ? (What is the last message you wrote?)"
"As-tu déjà pensé à écrire un livre ? (Have you ever thought about writing a book?)"
일기 주제
Aujourd'hui, j'ai écrit à... (Today, I wrote to...)
La chose la plus difficile à écrire est... (The hardest thing to write is...)
Si je devais écrire un livre, il parlerait de... (If I had to write a book, it would be about...)
J'aime écrire parce que... (I like to write because...)
L'importance d'écrire ses pensées... (The importance of writing one's thoughts...)
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, 'écrire' is an irregular verb belonging to the 3rd group in French. This means it does not follow the standard conjugation patterns of verbs ending in -er or -ir. You must memorize its specific forms. Pay special attention to the plural forms in the present tense, which add a 'v' (nous écrivons). The past participle is also irregular: 'écrit'.
You use the auxiliary verb 'avoir' to form compound tenses with 'écrire'. For example, in the passé composé, you say 'J'ai écrit' (I wrote / I have written). You only use 'être' if the verb is used in its reflexive/pronominal form, 's'écrire', as in 'Ils se sont écrit' (They wrote to each other).
To say 'I write to him' (or 'to her'), you must use the indirect object pronoun 'lui'. The correct translation is 'Je lui écris'. A common mistake for English speakers is to use the direct object pronoun 'le' or 'la' (Je l'écris), which is incorrect because the verb structure is 'écrire à quelqu'un'.
'Écrire' is the general, everyday word for 'to write'. It covers everything from a quick text message to a novel. 'Rédiger' is more formal and means 'to draft' or 'to compose'. You would use 'rédiger' when talking about writing a formal essay, a legal contract, or an official report.
The most common and natural way to ask for spelling in French is to use the pronominal form of 'écrire'. You say 'Comment ça s'écrit ?' (Literally: How does it write itself?). You can also say 'Comment tu écris [word] ?' or 'Pouvez-vous épeler ce mot ?' (Can you spell this word?).
Yes, 'écrit' must agree in gender and number with the direct object, but ONLY if the direct object comes before the verb in the sentence. For example, 'J'ai écrit une lettre' (no agreement). But 'La lettre que j'ai écrite' (agreement, add an 'e' because 'lettre' is feminine and precedes the verb).
Yes, absolutely. While the specific verb for typing is 'taper' (taper à l'ordinateur), 'écrire' is universally used for digital communication. You can say 'J'écris un e-mail' or 'J'écris un texto'. It refers to the creation of the text, regardless of the medium.
'C'était écrit' is an idiomatic expression that translates literally to 'It was written'. It is used to express the idea of destiny or fate. It means that an event was bound to happen, like a foregone conclusion. For example, if two people were meant to fall in love, one might say 'C'était écrit'.
The 'v' in the plural present tense forms (nous écrivons, vous écrivez, ils écrivent) is a remnant of the verb's Latin root, 'scribere'. Over centuries of linguistic evolution, the 'b' softened into a 'v' sound in certain conjugated forms, while disappearing entirely in the singular forms (j'écris).
There are a few noun forms depending on the meaning. 'Un écrivain' is a writer or author. 'L'écriture' refers to the act of writing, handwriting, or scripture. 'Un écrit' refers to a written document or a piece of writing. For example, 'Il a laissé de nombreux écrits' (He left many writings).
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Summary
Mastering 'écrire' is essential for basic communication in French. Pay special attention to its irregular present tense plural forms (nous écrivons) and its past participle (écrit), and remember to use 'à' when writing to someone.
- Irregular 3rd group verb.
- Means 'to write' or 'to spell'.
- Takes 'avoir' in compound tenses.
- Often uses indirect object 'à'.
Don't forget the 'à'
Always remember that 'écrire' takes the preposition 'à' before a person. It is 'écrire à Paul', not 'écrire Paul'. This is crucial for choosing the right pronouns later.
Silent 't'
The 't' at the end of the past participle 'écrit' is silent. Pronounce it like 'é-cri'. You only pronounce the 't' if there is a liaison with a following vowel, or if it has an 'e' added for feminine agreement (écrite).
Use 'rédiger' for essays
If you are talking about writing a school paper, a thesis, or a formal report, use the verb 'rédiger'. It sounds much more academic and precise than just 'écrire'.
One 'c', one accent
A common spelling mistake is writing 'éccrire' or 'ecrire'. Remember it has only one 'c' and the first 'e' always takes an accent aigu (é).
관련 콘텐츠
communication 관련 단어
À bientôt
A1곧 봐요.
accepter
A2제공된 것을 받아들이는 것. 상황이나 제안에 동의하는 것.
accord
A2사람들 사이의 합의 또는 조화.
accueillir
A2도착한 사람을 환영하며 맞이하다. 또는 장소가 특정 인원을 수용할 수 있다.
actualité
A2시사, 뉴스, 또는 최근의 사건들.
adresser
A2To address, to speak or write to someone.
affabulation
B2A fabricated story or statement, often fanciful or exaggerated.
affirmation
B2긍정은 어떤 것이 사실이거나 존재함을 나타내는 진술입니다. 이는 강력한 선언 또는 확인입니다.
affirmer
B1사실이라고 단언하거나 강력하게 주장하다. 자신의 존재감이나 권위를 확고히 하다.
allô
A1여보세요. 전화 통화를 시작할 때 사용하는 인사말입니다.