The French word résigné (masculine) or résignée (feminine) describes a psychological state where an individual has accepted a situation that is unpleasant, difficult, or undesirable, primarily because they believe it is inevitable or impossible to change. It is not merely a state of being 'okay' with something; it carries a weight of passive endurance. When you call someone a résigné, you are often highlighting their lack of resistance or their quiet surrender to fate. This term is deeply embedded in French literature and philosophy, often appearing in discussions about stoicism or the human condition in the face of tragedy. In everyday modern French, it is used to describe people who no longer complain about bad weather, long commutes, or bureaucratic delays because they have simply given up on the idea that these things could be different.
- Emotional Nuance
- The word implies a certain sadness or exhaustion. Unlike 'content' (happy) or 'd'accord' (agreeing), 'résigné' suggests that if the person had a choice, they would choose otherwise, but they have run out of the energy or the means to fight back.
Face à l'annonce de la fermeture de l'usine, les ouvriers sont restés silencieux et résignés.
In a social context, being 'résigné' can sometimes be seen as a negative trait, suggesting a lack of ambition or a defeatist attitude. However, in other contexts, it can be viewed as a form of wisdom or maturity—understanding what can be changed and what cannot. For example, a student might be 'résigné' to the fact that they have to retake an exam. They aren't happy about it, but they have stopped crying and started studying. The word is frequently paired with nouns like 'air' (look), 'ton' (tone), or 'sourire' (smile) to describe the outward manifestation of this internal state of surrender. A 'sourire résigné' is one of the most poignant images in French storytelling, representing a smile that acknowledges pain while accepting it.
- Social Context
- In French politics, commentators often speak of a 'peuple résigné' when citizens stop protesting against laws they dislike, suggesting a dangerous level of apathy or disillusionment with the system.
Elle a poussé un soupir résigné avant de recommencer tout son travail.
Finally, the word is often used in religious or spiritual contexts. Historically, 'la résignation' was considered a virtue—the act of submitting oneself to the will of God without complaint. While modern usage is more secular, that sense of 'submitting to a higher power' (whether that power is God, the government, or simply bad luck) remains central to the word's identity. To be 'résigné' is to acknowledge that you are not the master of the situation. It is a word of shadows and soft edges, never of bright colors or loud voices.
- Grammar Note
- As a noun, 'un résigné' refers to a person. 'Les résignés de la vie' is a common literary trope referring to those who have been beaten down by life's circumstances.
Il n'est pas combatif, c'est un résigné de nature.
Using résigné correctly requires attention to two main factors: gender/number agreement and the preposition that follows it. Since it functions as an adjective, it must match the subject it describes. For a man, use 'résigné'; for a woman, 'résignée'; for a group of men or a mixed group, 'résignés'; and for a group of women, 'résignées'. The pronunciation remains largely the same across these forms, but the spelling is vital for written French. The most common grammatical structure is être résigné à + [noun or infinitive verb]. This indicates the specific thing that has been accepted. For example, 'Il est résigné à son sort' (He is resigned to his fate) or 'Elle est résignée à partir' (She is resigned to leaving).
- The Preposition 'À'
- Always use 'à' (or its contractions 'au', 'aux') when specifying the cause of the resignation. 'Je suis résigné à l'idée de perdre' is correct; using 'de' here would be a mistake.
Nous sommes résignés à attendre le prochain train, car celui-ci est annulé.
Another frequent usage is placing the word before or after a noun to describe a person's demeanor. 'Un regard résigné' (a resigned look) or 'une voix résignée' (a resigned voice). In these cases, the adjective describes the quality of the action or the appearance. It is also important to distinguish between 'se résigner' (the reflexive verb) and 'être résigné' (the state). 'Je me résigne' means 'I am making myself accept this,' whereas 'Je suis résigné' means 'I have already reached the state of acceptance.' The verb form is often used when describing the process of giving up a struggle. For instance, 'Après des heures de discussion, il s'est résigné à signer le contrat.'
- Placement of the Adjective
- In French, 'résigné' usually follows the noun it modifies, but it can occasionally precede it in poetic or literary contexts to add emphasis to the emotion.
D'un geste résigné, le vieux pêcheur a rangé ses filets vides.
In complex sentences, 'résigné' can be used as an appositive, separated by commas, to provide extra information about the subject's emotional state. 'Le prisonnier, résigné, attendait son jugement.' This structure is very common in narrative writing. It serves as a shortcut to paint a picture of the character's internal world without needing a long explanation. You might also encounter it in the negative: 'pas du tout résigné' (not at all resigned), used to describe someone who is still fighting or protesting. 'Malgré les obstacles, il n'était pas résigné.' This highlights a spirit of resistance. Understanding the flexibility of this word allows you to describe a wide range of human responses to adversity, from the quietest surrender to the refusal to give in.
- Common Pairs
- 'Triste et résigné', 'Calme et résigné', 'Silencieux et résigné'. These pairings reinforce the passive and somber nature of the word.
Elle a accepté cette décision d'un ton résigné, sans poser de questions.
You will encounter résigné in a variety of settings, ranging from high-brow literature to mundane daily conversations. In French literature, especially in 19th-century realism (think Flaubert or Zola), characters are often described as 'résignés' when they are trapped by their social class or tragic circumstances. If you read a classic French novel, pay attention to how the author uses this word to evoke sympathy or to criticize a society that crushes the individual's spirit. It is a staple of the 'misérabilisme' style, where life's hardships are accepted with a grim nod. In modern journalism, you'll see it in headlines or editorials discussing the mood of the public. If the government passes an unpopular tax and there are no protests, a journalist might write about 'la résignation des contribuables' (the resignation of taxpayers).
- In Cinema and Media
- In French films, especially dramas, a character might have a 'regard résigné' during a breakup or a moment of loss. It communicates a deep, quiet pain that dialogue often cannot capture.
À la fin du film, le protagoniste s'éloigne avec un pas résigné sous la pluie.
In everyday life, you might hear a friend use it when talking about their job or their health. 'Je suis résigné à passer mon week-end à travailler' (I'm resigned to spending my weekend working). Here, it's used with a touch of irony or self-pity. It’s a way of saying, 'I hate this, but I have no choice, so I'm going to stop complaining and just do it.' You also hear it in medical contexts. Doctors or family members might describe a patient as 'résigné' if they have accepted a difficult diagnosis and are no longer fighting the reality of their condition. This can be a peaceful state or a deeply sad one, depending on the person. In schools, teachers might describe a struggling student as 'résigné' if the student has stopped trying to improve, having accepted that they will fail.
- Political Discourse
- Politicians sometimes warn against a 'France résignée,' arguing that the country needs to be more dynamic and hopeful rather than simply accepting its problems.
Le ministre a déclaré que nous ne devons pas être résignés face au déclin économique.
In summary, 'résigné' is a word that bridges the gap between the internal emotional experience and the external social reality. Whether it's the quiet acceptance of a personal tragedy or the collective apathy of a nation, the word captures the moment when resistance ends and endurance begins. It is a very 'French' word in its ability to express a complex, somewhat melancholy state of mind with just a few syllables. When you hear it, look for the context of inevitability. Is the person accepting something they cannot change? If so, 'résigné' is the perfect descriptor for their state of being.
- Workplace Usage
- 'Il est résigné à ses nouvelles responsabilités' means he has accepted them, even if he didn't want them.
L'équipe, résignée, a fini par accepter les nouvelles conditions de travail.
The most common mistake English speakers make with résigné is using it as a direct translation for 'resigned' in the sense of 'quitting a job.' In English, if you say 'He resigned yesterday,' you mean he left his position. In French, you cannot say 'Il est résigné hier.' Instead, you must use the verb 'démissionner' (to resign from a job). 'Il a démissionné hier.' Using 'résigné' in this context will confuse a native speaker, as they will think you are describing his emotional state (that he was feeling resigned yesterday) rather than his professional action. This is a classic 'false friend' (faux ami) situation that requires careful attention.
- False Friend Alert
- English 'Resigned' (job) = French 'Démissionnaire'. French 'Résigné' (emotion) = English 'Resigned' (accepting fate).
Incorrect: Il est résigné de son poste. Correct: Il a démissionné de son poste.
Another frequent error is neglecting gender and number agreement. Because 'résigné' functions as an adjective, it must agree with the noun it modifies. Beginners often forget to add the 'e' for feminine subjects or the 's' for plural ones. While the pronunciation of 'résigné' and 'résignée' is identical, 'résignés' and 'résignées' also sound the same, but the written form is crucial for exams and formal writing. Always check your subject! For example, 'Les filles sont résignées' (The girls are resigned) requires both the 'e' and the 's'. If you write 'Les filles sont résigné', it is a grammatical error that signals a lack of fluency.
- Preposition Confusion
- Many learners try to use 'avec' (with) after 'résigné', saying 'résigné avec la situation'. The correct preposition is always 'à'. 'Résigné à la situation'.
Elle s'est résignée à vivre seule après son divorce.
A third mistake involves the nuance between 'résigné' and 'patient'. While both involve waiting or enduring, 'patient' is generally positive and implies hope for a future result. 'Résigné' is more negative or neutral, implying that there is no hope for change, only the necessity of acceptance. If you say you are 'résigné' for a bus, it sounds like you think the bus might never come, but you're going to stand there anyway. If you are 'patient', you believe the bus is coming and you are waiting calmly. Using 'résigné' when you mean 'patient' can make you sound much more depressed than you actually are! Finally, watch out for the verb 'résigner' used without the reflexive 'se'. In modern French, 'résigner' (to cancel/terminate a contract) is mostly used as 'résilier'. If you want to say 'I am resigning myself to...', you must use 'Je me résigne à...'. Skipping the 'me' changes the meaning or makes the sentence nonsensical.
- Pronunciation Error
- Don't pronounce the 'g' like the 'g' in 'goat'. It's a soft 'ny' sound, as in 'vignette'.
Ils ne sont pas résignés, ils sont simplement calmes.
If you want to vary your vocabulary, there are several words in French that share a semantic field with résigné, each with its own specific flavor. One of the closest is soumis (submissive). However, 'soumis' implies a power dynamic where someone is yielding to another person's authority. 'Résigné' is broader; you can be resigned to the weather, but you wouldn't be 'soumis' to the weather. Another alternative is fataliste (fatalistic). A fatalist believes that everything is predetermined by fate and therefore there's no point in fighting. While a 'résigné' person might feel this way, 'fataliste' describes a philosophical worldview, whereas 'résigné' describes a specific emotional state in response to a situation.
- Résigné vs. Docile
- 'Docile' means easy to lead or manage. A 'résigné' person might be docile because they've given up, but 'docile' focuses on their behavior, while 'résigné' focuses on their internal state of acceptance.
Il est trop fataliste pour essayer de changer les choses.
For a more positive spin, you could use stoïque (stoic). A stoic person accepts hardship with courage and without complaining. While 'résigné' can feel a bit defeated or sad, 'stoïque' implies strength and dignity. If someone loses their house in a fire and remains calm, you might call them 'stoïque' to admire them, or 'résigné' if they just look like they've lost all hope. Another interesting word is passif (passive). This is often used as a criticism. A 'passif' person doesn't take action. A 'résigné' person is passive because they've accepted the situation. You might also consider impuissant (powerless). If you are resigned, it is often because you feel 'impuissant' to change the outcome.
- Résigné vs. Accommodant
- 'Accommodant' means easy-going or willing to please. It's a choice to be helpful. 'Résigné' is not a choice made out of kindness, but out of necessity.
Elle est restée stoïque malgré la douleur intense.
In formal or literary French, you might use oblatif, though it’s rare and specifically refers to someone who sacrifices their own needs for others—a form of extreme resignation. More commonly, you'll hear désabusé (disillusioned). A 'désabusé' person has lost their illusions and often feels cynical. This is close to 'résigné' but carries a sharper edge of bitterness. While a 'résigné' person has simply accepted the bad situation, a 'désabusé' person is often unhappy and cynical about the world in general. Choosing between these words depends on whether you want to emphasize the person's strength (stoïque), their surrender (résigné), their cynicism (désabusé), or their lack of power (impuissant). Understanding these nuances will make your French much more expressive and precise.
- Comparison Table
- - Résigné: Accepting the inevitable.
- Stoïque: Accepting with courage.
- Soumis: Yielding to authority.
- Désabusé: Accepting with cynicism.
Un air désabusé se lisait sur son visage après tant d'échecs.
수준별 예문
Il est résigné.
He is resigned.
Simple subject + verb + adjective.
Elle est résignée.
She is resigned.
Add 'e' for the feminine form.
Ils sont résignés.
They are resigned.
Add 's' for the plural form.
Je suis résigné.
I am resigned.
Used to express a personal state.
Tu es résignée ?
Are you resigned? (to a girl)
Question form with feminine agreement.
Le chat est résigné.
The cat is resigned.
Adjective modifying a masculine noun.
Nous sommes résignés.
We are resigned.
Plural agreement.
C'est un homme résigné.
He is a resigned man.
Adjective following a noun.
Il est résigné à faire ses devoirs.
He is resigned to doing his homework.
Structure: être résigné à + infinitive.
Elle a un air résigné ce matin.
She has a resigned look this morning.
Using 'air' to describe appearance.
Nous sommes résignés à attendre le bus.
We are resigned to waiting for the bus.
Common daily context.
Il s'est résigné à manger de la soupe.
He resigned himself to eating soup.
Using the reflexive verb 'se résigner à'.
Elle reste résignée malgré la pluie.
She remains resigned despite the rain.
Using 'rester' instead of 'être'.
Ils sont résignés à perdre le match.
They are resigned to losing the match.
Accepting an inevitable outcome.
Je me suis résigné à dormir tôt.
I resigned myself to going to bed early.
Reflexive verb in the passé composé.
C'est une attitude résignée.
It is a resigned attitude.
Adjective modifying a feminine noun.
Face à la crise, les gens sont devenus résignés.
Faced with the crisis, people have become resigned.
Using 'devenir' to show a change in state.
Elle est résignée à vivre dans ce petit appartement.
She is resigned to living in this small apartment.
Accepting a living situation.
Il a accepté la nouvelle avec un sourire résigné.
He accepted the news with a resigned smile.
Using 'sourire' as a noun modified by 'résigné'.
Nous ne devons pas être résignés devant l'injustice.
We must not be resigned in the face of injustice.
Negative imperative context.
Elle s'est résignée à son sort après l'échec.
She resigned herself to her fate after the failure.
Idiom: 'se résigner à son sort'.
Il semble résigné à passer ses vacances seul.
He seems resigned to spending his holidays alone.
Using 'sembler' (to seem).
Les employés sont résignés aux changements de direction.
The employees are resigned to the management changes.
Preposition 'à' contracted to 'aux'.
Elle a poussé un long soupir résigné.
She let out a long, resigned sigh.
Descriptive narrative usage.
Sa résignation est palpable dans chaque mot qu'il prononce.
His resignation is palpable in every word he speaks.
Using the noun form 'résignation'.
L'opinion publique est résignée à une longue période d'austérité.
Public opinion is resigned to a long period of austerity.
Abstract social context.
Il est résigné à l'idée que rien ne changera jamais.
He is resigned to the idea that nothing will ever change.
Accepting a conceptual reality.
Malgré sa force, elle finit par se montrer résignée.
Despite her strength, she ends up appearing resigned.
Using 'se montrer' (to show oneself as).
Un ton résigné peut cacher une grande tristesse.
A resigned tone can hide a great sadness.
Philosophical observation.
Ils sont résignés à subir les conséquences de leurs actes.
They are resigned to suffering the consequences of their actions.
Accepting legal or moral consequences.
Elle n'est pas résignée, elle est simplement fatiguée de se battre.
She is not resigned; she is simply tired of fighting.
Nuance between resignation and exhaustion.
Le peuple, résigné, a cessé de manifester dans les rues.
The people, resigned, have stopped protesting in the streets.
Appositive adjective usage.
Le protagoniste est le parfait exemple du héros résigné.
The protagonist is the perfect example of the resigned hero.
Literary analysis context.
Elle portait sur son visage les stigmates d'une vie résignée.
She wore on her face the scars of a resigned life.
Metaphorical and descriptive.
Il s'agit d'une résignation passive qui frise l'apathie.
It is a passive resignation that borders on apathy.
Advanced vocabulary (frise, apathie).
L'auteur explore la tension entre révolte et état résigné.
The author explores the tension between revolt and a resigned state.
Intellectual discourse.
On sent chez lui une forme de sagesse résignée.
One feels in him a form of resigned wisdom.
Positive connotation of resignation.
Elle a accepté son destin d'un pas résigné et digne.
She accepted her fate with a resigned and dignified step.
Combining 'résigné' with 'digne'.
La résignation peut être vue comme une capitulation morale.
Resignation can be seen as a moral surrender.
Sociological/Ethical debate.
Ils sont les résignés d'un système qui les dépasse.
They are the resigned ones of a system that is beyond them.
Using 'résignés' as a noun.
Il se dégage de cette œuvre une mélancolie résignée et profonde.
A resigned and deep melancholy emanates from this work.
Artistic critique.
La condition humaine est-elle intrinsèquement résignée ?
Is the human condition intrinsically resigned?
Philosophical inquiry.
Elle a fini par s'enfermer dans un mutisme résigné.
She ended up locking herself in a resigned silence.
Using 'mutisme' (refusal to speak).
Sa posture, bien que résignée, conservait une certaine superbe.
His posture, although resigned, maintained a certain grandeur.
Contrast using 'bien que' and 'superbe'.
L'inaction des citoyens témoigne d'une résignation systémique.
Citizens' inaction testifies to a systemic resignation.
Political science terminology.
Face à l'inéluctable, il n'y a de place que pour le cœur résigné.
In the face of the inevitable, there is room only for the resigned heart.
Poetic and formal.
On ne saurait être plus résigné que devant la fin d'un empire.
One could not be more resigned than before the end of an empire.
Advanced comparative structure.
Son œuvre est un hymne aux êtres résignés et oubliés.
His work is a hymn to the resigned and forgotten beings.
Literary tribute.
관련 콘텐츠
emotions 관련 단어
à contrecœur
B1마지못해 또는 내키지 않게 무언가를 하는 것.
à fleur de peau
B1Oversensitive; easily affected emotionally.
à la fois
B1'동시에' 또는 '한꺼번에'라는 의미입니다.
à l'aise
A2편안하고 긴장되지 않으며 당황하거나 걱정하지 않는 느낌.
à regret
B1With regret; reluctantly.
abandon
B1누군가 또는 무언가를 영구적으로 떠나거나 포기하는 행위.
abasourdi
B1Stunned, dumbfounded, greatly astonished or shocked.
abattement
A2심한 낙담이나 기운이 없는 상태.
abattu
A2의기소침한, 낙담한, 맥이 풀린.
abominable
B1Causing moral revulsion; detestable.