acquérir l' appréciation
to acquérir a appréciation
Literally: to acquire the appreciation
In 15 Seconds
- To earn respect or approval through consistent effort.
- Common in professional settings and formal storytelling.
- Implies a gradual process of winning people over.
Meaning
This phrase means to gain someone's respect, approval, or positive recognition over time through your actions or character.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a new employee's progress
Il a rapidement su acquérir l'appréciation de ses collègues.
He quickly managed to gain the appreciation of his colleagues.
Talking about a local artist
Cette peintre a fini par acquérir l'appréciation de la critique.
This painter finally gained the appreciation of the critics.
Texting a friend about a tough teacher
J'ai enfin acquis l'appréciation de M. Durand !
I finally won over Mr. Durand!
Cultural Background
In French professional and social circles, 'l'appréciation' is more than just a 'like' on social media; it represents a formal validation of one's merit. Historically, the French meritocratic system emphasizes earning one's place through demonstrated skill, making the verb 'acquérir' (to acquire through effort) particularly resonant.
The 'Effort' Factor
In French, 'acquérir' implies you worked for it. Don't use it if you just got lucky; use it when you've been consistent!
Spelling Trap
The verb 'acquérir' is tricky. In the present tense, it has an 'i' (acquiers), but in the future, it gets a double 'r' (acquerrai). Watch out!
In 15 Seconds
- To earn respect or approval through consistent effort.
- Common in professional settings and formal storytelling.
- Implies a gradual process of winning people over.
What It Means
Think of this as winning someone over. It is not about a quick compliment. It is about building a solid reputation. You do something well, and people start to notice. Slowly, you earn their genuine respect. It is like filling a jar with marbles of trust.
How To Use It
You use it when discussing professional growth or personal relationships. Use the verb acquérir just like 'to acquire' in English. It conjugates regularly in the present tense: j'acquiers, tu acquiers, il acquiert. Pair it with the object l'appréciation. You can add whose appreciation it is using de or de la. For example, acquérir l'appréciation du public means winning over the crowd. It sounds polished and thoughtful.
When To Use It
This is perfect for performance reviews at work. Use it when describing how a new student fits into a class. It works well in biographies or formal stories. If you finally convinced your grumpy neighbor you are a good person, this fits. It implies a process, not a sudden event. Use it to show you value long-term opinions.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for small, trivial things. If someone likes your shoes, you did not acquérir l'appréciation. That is too heavy! Avoid it in very slang-heavy conversations with teenagers. They might think you sound like a 19th-century novelist. Also, do not use it for self-love. It is almost always about how others perceive you.
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on 'la reconnaissance' (recognition). Earning respect in France often takes time. You are not 'best friends' after one coffee. You must prove your competence or 'savoir-vivre' first. This phrase reflects that journey of proving one's worth. It is a very 'Cartesian' way of looking at social standing—logical and earned.
Common Variations
You might hear gagner l'appréciation which is slightly more common in casual talk. S'attirer l'appréciation is another way to say you 'attracted' that praise. If the feeling is massive, you could say acquérir une grande appréciation. Just remember that acquérir always adds a touch of class to your sentence.
Usage Notes
This is a high-level B1/B2 collocation. It is most effective in writing (resumes, cover letters) or formal spoken situations like interviews.
The 'Effort' Factor
In French, 'acquérir' implies you worked for it. Don't use it if you just got lucky; use it when you've been consistent!
Spelling Trap
The verb 'acquérir' is tricky. In the present tense, it has an 'i' (acquiers), but in the future, it gets a double 'r' (acquerrai). Watch out!
The Silent Approval
In France, 'pas mal' (not bad) is often the first step toward 'acquérir l'appréciation'. If a French person says 'c'est pas mal', you're winning!
Examples
6Il a rapidement su acquérir l'appréciation de ses collègues.
He quickly managed to gain the appreciation of his colleagues.
Shows a successful integration into a team.
Cette peintre a fini par acquérir l'appréciation de la critique.
This painter finally gained the appreciation of the critics.
Highlights a long-term struggle for recognition.
J'ai enfin acquis l'appréciation de M. Durand !
I finally won over Mr. Durand!
Uses the past tense to show a breakthrough.
J'espère acquérir l'appréciation du chat avant la fin de l'année.
I hope to gain the cat's approval before the end of the year.
Hyperbolic use for a difficult 'audience'.
Votre soutien m'a permis d'acquérir l'appréciation de cette communauté.
Your support allowed me to gain the appreciation of this community.
Expresses gratitude for social standing.
Sois patient pour acquérir l'appréciation de tes beaux-parents.
Be patient to win your in-laws' approval.
Advice on building family relationships.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the professional sentence.
Elle ___ l'appréciation du directeur grâce à son sérieux.
The verb 'acquérir' (conjugated as 'acquiert' for 'elle') is the standard way to express gaining appreciation.
Complete the phrase with the correct preposition.
Il est difficile d'acquérir l'appréciation ___ public.
We use 'du' (de + le) because 'public' is a masculine noun.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale of Gaining Approval
Getting a 'like' or a nod.
Se faire bien voir
Winning someone over.
Gagner l'estime
Earning professional recognition.
Acquérir l'appréciation
Where to use 'Acquérir l'appréciation'
Annual Review
With your boss
Artistic Debut
With an audience
New Family
With the in-laws
Academic
With a professor
Practice Bank
2 exercisesElle ___ l'appréciation du directeur grâce à son sérieux.
The verb 'acquérir' (conjugated as 'acquiert' for 'elle') is the standard way to express gaining appreciation.
Il est difficile d'acquérir l'appréciation ___ public.
We use 'du' (de + le) because 'public' is a masculine noun.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot exactly. Being liked (être aimé) is emotional, while acquérir l'appréciation is about being valued or respected for your qualities.
It is a bit formal for close friends. You would more likely say se faire apprécier in a casual setting.
Yes, but it sounds more sophisticated than gagner (to win) or obtenir (to get).
You would say J'ai acquis son appréciation. Note that acquis is the past participle.
No, this specific phrase is for the way people view you or your work, not for collecting things.
Appréciation is often about performance or specific traits, while estime is a deeper, more personal respect.
Technically yes, like Il n'a pas réussi à acquérir l'appréciation, meaning he failed to win them over.
Yes, it is standard French and understood across the Francophone world, though it remains formal everywhere.
Using prendre (to take) instead of acquérir. You can't 'take' appreciation; you must 'acquire' it.
Absolutely. A company can acquérir l'appréciation des consommateurs (gain the appreciation of consumers).
Related Phrases
Gagner l'estime de quelqu'un
Se faire bien voir
Faire ses preuves
Jouir d'une bonne réputation
