Meaning
To activate a process or system into motion.
Cultural Background
The phrase is heavily associated with the 'Article 49.3' of the Constitution, a 'mécanisme' that allows the government to pass a law without a vote. It is a major point of cultural and political tension. In Quebec, 'déclencher des élections' (to call an election) is a very common related phrase. It uses the same logic of starting a formal, systemic process. In the context of direct democracy, 'déclencher un référendum' is a standard term for the process of gathering signatures to challenge a law. In formal administrative French in countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, this phrase is used with high frequency in official speeches to denote the start of development projects.
Use with 'Irréversible'
To sound truly C1, pair this with 'irréversible'. Example: 'Une fois déclenché, ce mécanisme est irréversible.' This is a very common rhetorical structure.
Don't over-use it
If you use it for every small action, you will sound like a robot. Reserve it for processes that have at least 3-4 steps or consequences.
Meaning
To activate a process or system into motion.
Use with 'Irréversible'
To sound truly C1, pair this with 'irréversible'. Example: 'Une fois déclenché, ce mécanisme est irréversible.' This is a very common rhetorical structure.
Don't over-use it
If you use it for every small action, you will sound like a robot. Reserve it for processes that have at least 3-4 steps or consequences.
The 49.3 Connection
If you are in France, mentioning 'déclencher le mécanisme du 49.3' is a guaranteed way to start a long political conversation.
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase avec la forme correcte du verbe 'déclencher'.
La nouvelle loi a ________ un mécanisme de protestation dans tout le pays.
The subject is 'La nouvelle loi' and the auxiliary is 'a' (avoir), so the past participle 'déclenché' remains masculine singular as the object 'un mécanisme' follows the verb.
Quelle phrase utilise correctement la collocation dans un contexte formel ?
Choisissez la meilleure option :
This sentence correctly uses the phrase to describe a systemic economic process, which is the hallmark of C1 usage.
Associez le type de mécanisme avec son déclencheur probable.
Associez les éléments :
These are common pairings (collocations within collocations) in French.
Complétez le dialogue de manière professionnelle.
Directeur : 'Comment allons-nous réagir à cette cyber-attaque ?' Ingénieur : 'Monsieur, nous venons de ________.'
'Déclencher' is the standard professional verb for activating a security or backup protocol.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLa nouvelle loi a ________ un mécanisme de protestation dans tout le pays.
The subject is 'La nouvelle loi' and the auxiliary is 'a' (avoir), so the past participle 'déclenché' remains masculine singular as the object 'un mécanisme' follows the verb.
Choisissez la meilleure option :
This sentence correctly uses the phrase to describe a systemic economic process, which is the hallmark of C1 usage.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common pairings (collocations within collocations) in French.
Directeur : 'Comment allons-nous réagir à cette cyber-attaque ?' Ingénieur : 'Monsieur, nous venons de ________.'
'Déclencher' is the standard professional verb for activating a security or backup protocol.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, but it often is. It is frequently used for crises, wars, or defense mechanisms. However, it can be positive, like 'déclencher un mécanisme de solidarité'.
Yes, 'déclencher un processus' is a very common and slightly more general alternative.
The noun is 'le déclenchement'. Example: 'Le déclenchement de la grève'.
Yes, very much so. It's used to describe chemical reactions, biological processes, and physical triggers.
Yes, you can say 'Cela a déclenché quelque chose chez lui', but 'déclencher un mécanisme de défense' is more precise in French.
They are at the same level of formality. 'Enclencher' is slightly more common in technical/mechanical contexts.
Only if you are being clinical or humorous. 'Tu as déclenché un mécanisme d'amour' sounds like something a robot would say.
Yes, that is the key nuance. Once the mechanism is triggered, it usually proceeds without further human intervention.
There isn't a single direct opposite, but 'enrayer' (to jam/stop a mechanism) or 'interrompre' (to interrupt) are often used.
Yes! 'Déclencher un piège' (to spring a trap) is a very common literal use.
Related Phrases
enclencher la vitesse supérieure
similarTo shift into high gear / to accelerate a process.
mettre en branle
synonymTo set in motion.
provoquer une réaction
similarTo provoke a reaction.
donner le coup d'envoi
similarTo kick off.
