In 15 Seconds
- To actively support or promote a specific goal or target.
- Common in professional meetings and personal development contexts.
- Uses the regular verb 'encourager' followed by the noun 'objectif'.
Meaning
This phrase means to actively support, promote, or give momentum to a specific goal or target. It’s about being a cheerleader for a plan or a desired outcome.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting
Nous devons encourager l'objectif de réduction des coûts.
We must encourage the objective of cost reduction.
Texting a workout partner
Allez ! On encourage l'objectif de 10km aujourd'hui !
Come on! Let's push for the 10km goal today!
Discussing environmental policy
Le gouvernement veut encourager l'objectif zéro carbone.
The government wants to promote the zero-carbon goal.
Cultural Background
In French corporate culture, 'encourager l'objectif' is often linked to 'la prime sur objectifs' (performance bonuses). It's a way for management to signal that financial rewards are tied to specific targets. In Quebec, the influence of English is strong, but 'encourager l'objectif' remains the preferred formal term over 'supporter l'objectif', which is seen as an anglicism. In many French-speaking African nations, 'encourager' is used very broadly to mean 'to congratulate' or 'to bless' a project. It has a very warm, communal connotation. Belgian French often uses 'encourager' in the context of 'le compromis à la belge' (Belgian compromise), where different parties encourage a shared goal despite differences.
Use with 'viser à'
To sound very professional, use 'viser à encourager l'objectif'. Example: 'Notre stratégie vise à encourager l'objectif de croissance.'
Watch the Elision
Never say 'le objectif'. It must always be 'l'objectif' because of the vowel.
In 15 Seconds
- To actively support or promote a specific goal or target.
- Common in professional meetings and personal development contexts.
- Uses the regular verb 'encourager' followed by the noun 'objectif'.
What It Means
Imagine you have a friend who wants to run a marathon. You don't just say "good luck." You help them find a training plan and cheer them on. You are encourager l'objectif. It means to give energy to a specific result. It’s not just a passive wish. It is an action. You are pushing the goal toward the finish line. It is very popular in business and personal development. It shows you are committed to the outcome, not just the idea.
How To Use It
You need to conjugate the verb encourager. It is a regular -er verb, which is great news for you. J'encourage, Tu encourages, Nous encourageons. Simply place l'objectif right after the verb. You can also add adjectives to be more specific. For example, encourager l'objectif principal (to encourage the main objective). It fits perfectly in sentences about work, fitness, or even social changes. If you want to sound more formal, use the future tense: Nous encouragerons l'objectif. It sounds like a solid promise.
When To Use It
This is your go-to phrase for the office. Use it in a meeting to show you are a team player. It sounds proactive and professional. You can also use it in community settings. Maybe you are part of a local club. You want to encourager l'objectif of cleaning the neighborhood park. It is also great for texting a gym buddy. A quick "On doit encourager l'objectif !" keeps the motivation high. It’s a very positive, forward-thinking expression.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for physical movement or sports actions. You don't encourager a ball to go into a net. You marquer (score) a goal. Also, be careful with people. If you want to support a person, just say encourager [nom]. Using l'objectif makes it about the task, not the human. Finally, avoid it for trivial things. You don't encourager l'objectif of buying a baguette. That is way too dramatic for a bakery run! Just buy the bread.
Cultural Background
France has a strong culture of "projets de société" and organized planning. People love discussing big ideas and structured aims. In the workplace, the "cadre" (managerial) culture thrives on these types of motivational phrases. It is part of the modern "Management à la française." It reflects a shift from just doing a job to being "mission-driven." It is also very common now in French environmental activism, where specific targets for the planet are constantly discussed.
Common Variations
Soutenir l'objectif is a very common alternative. It means to support the goal. Promouvoir l'objectif is used when you are marketing or spreading the word about a goal. If you want to be more intense, use poursuivre l'objectif. That means you are actively chasing it down. Favoriser l'objectif is good for when you are making the path to the goal easier. Each one adds a slightly different flavor to your conversation.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral but leans slightly toward professional or formal settings. Ensure you conjugate 'encourager' correctly, especially in the 'nous' form.
Use with 'viser à'
To sound very professional, use 'viser à encourager l'objectif'. Example: 'Notre stratégie vise à encourager l'objectif de croissance.'
Watch the Elision
Never say 'le objectif'. It must always be 'l'objectif' because of the vowel.
The Power of Validation
In France, saying you 'encourage' someone's goal is a strong form of social validation. It's more than just a 'like' on social media.
Examples
6Nous devons encourager l'objectif de réduction des coûts.
We must encourage the objective of cost reduction.
A classic professional use to align the team.
Allez ! On encourage l'objectif de 10km aujourd'hui !
Come on! Let's push for the 10km goal today!
Using 'encourager' to motivate a shared physical target.
Le gouvernement veut encourager l'objectif zéro carbone.
The government wants to promote the zero-carbon goal.
Used in a political or social context.
Ton canapé n'encourage pas vraiment l'objectif de sortir ce soir.
Your sofa doesn't really encourage the goal of going out tonight.
Playfully blaming an object for hindering a goal.
Je suis là pour encourager ton objectif de devenir écrivain.
I am here to support your goal of becoming a writer.
Shows emotional support for someone's ambition.
Le professeur encourage l'objectif de finir le projet avant vendredi.
The teacher is pushing the goal of finishing the project before Friday.
Standard educational context.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'encourager' and the article.
Le gouvernement veut _________ de neutralité carbone.
We use 'l'' because 'objectif' starts with a vowel, and no preposition is needed.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a professional meeting?
Comment dire que vous soutenez le plan de votre collègue ?
'Encourager' is professional and avoids the false friend 'supporter'.
Fill in the missing line in this dialogue.
A: Je veux vraiment finir ce marathon en moins de 4 heures. B: C'est un beau défi ! ______________.
This expresses support for the friend's personal challenge.
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: A manager talking about a new sustainability policy.
Sustainability (durabilité) is a common professional goal.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLe gouvernement veut _________ de neutralité carbone.
We use 'l'' because 'objectif' starts with a vowel, and no preposition is needed.
Comment dire que vous soutenez le plan de votre collègue ?
'Encourager' is professional and avoids the false friend 'supporter'.
A: Je veux vraiment finir ce marathon en moins de 4 heures. B: C'est un beau défi ! ______________.
This expresses support for the friend's personal challenge.
Context: A manager talking about a new sustainability policy.
Sustainability (durabilité) is a common professional goal.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes! You can say 'J'encourage mon équipe pour atteindre l'objectif' (I encourage my team to reach the goal).
It's a bit formal. With friends, you'd more likely say 'Je te soutiens dans ton projet' or 'C'est super ce que tu fais'.
'Encourager' is about giving support and momentum; 'promouvoir' is about making the goal known and advertising it.
In most contexts, yes. However, in photography, 'un objectif' is a camera lens. But you wouldn't 'encourage' a lens!
Yes, if you are talking about a general, non-specific goal. 'Il est bon d'encourager un objectif clair.'
Related Phrases
Atteindre l'objectif
builds onTo reach the goal
Fixer un objectif
similarTo set a goal
Soutenir une cause
similarTo support a cause
Poursuivre un objectif
similarTo pursue a goal
