In 15 Seconds
- Used for breaking official or written rules.
- Common in professional, legal, or sporting contexts.
- More formal than simply saying 'casser' or 'désobéir'.
Meaning
This phrase is used when someone breaks a specific set of official rules or policies. It is like saying someone 'colored outside the lines' but in a way that has real consequences.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a professional meeting
Il a été sanctionné pour avoir enfreint le règlement de l'entreprise.
He was disciplined for violating the company regulations.
At a public park
Attention, tu enfreins le règlement en cueillant ces fleurs.
Careful, you're breaking the rules by picking those flowers.
Texting a friend about a diet
J'ai enfreint le règlement de ma diète avec ce gros burger !
I broke my diet rules with this big burger!
Cultural Background
The French administrative system is deeply rooted in 'le règlement.' From the Napoleonic Code to modern workplace laws, rules are seen as the backbone of 'égalité.' Interestingly, while the French respect the concept of rules, they often take pride in finding 'exceptions' to them.
Conjugation Trick
Remember that 'enfreindre' conjugates just like 'craindre' or 'plaindre'. The 'g' appears in the plural: 'nous enfreignons'.
Don't say 'Casser'
Never say 'casser le règlement.' In French, you break ('casser') objects, but you infringe ('enfreindre') rules.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for breaking official or written rules.
- Common in professional, legal, or sporting contexts.
- More formal than simply saying 'casser' or 'désobéir'.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a public pool. A sign says 'No running.' If you run anyway, you enfreindre le règlement. It means to ignore or violate a formal code of conduct. It is more specific than just 'doing something bad.' It implies there is a written rule you chose to ignore.
How To Use It
You use this phrase like a standard verb-object combo. The verb enfreindre is a bit fancy. It follows the same conjugation pattern as peindre (to paint). You will usually see it followed by le règlement or les règles. It sounds professional and clear. Use it when you want to sound serious about a violation.
When To Use It
This is perfect for the workplace. Use it when discussing HR policies or safety protocols. It is also great for school settings or sports. If a player breaks a league rule, this is your go-to phrase. You can even use it for legal contexts like traffic laws. It adds a layer of authority to your speech.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for social mistakes. If you forget a friend's birthday, you did not enfreindre le règlement. That is just a personal slip-up. Also, do not use it for physical objects. You cannot enfreindre a window; you break it. It is strictly for abstract rules and written policies.
Cultural Background
France is a country that loves its 'règlements.' There is an official rule for almost everything. This ranges from how to make bread to how to behave in parks. However, there is a famous French irony here. While the rules are strict, the 'Système D' (the art of bypassing rules) is a national pastime. Knowing the rules is the first step to creatively bending them.
Common Variations
If you want to sound even more formal, try transgresser. For a more common, everyday feel, you can say ne pas respecter les règles. If someone is being a total rebel, you might say they are braver l'interdit. This means they are actively defying a prohibition just for the sake of it.
Usage Notes
This phrase sits in the neutral-to-formal register. It is the standard way to discuss policy violations in French without sounding overly aggressive or using slang.
Conjugation Trick
Remember that 'enfreindre' conjugates just like 'craindre' or 'plaindre'. The 'g' appears in the plural: 'nous enfreignons'.
Don't say 'Casser'
Never say 'casser le règlement.' In French, you break ('casser') objects, but you infringe ('enfreindre') rules.
The 'Règlement Intérieur'
In France, every company must have a 'règlement intérieur' (internal rules). It is a legal document that every employee is expected to follow strictly.
Examples
6Il a été sanctionné pour avoir enfreint le règlement de l'entreprise.
He was disciplined for violating the company regulations.
This is the most common professional usage.
Attention, tu enfreins le règlement en cueillant ces fleurs.
Careful, you're breaking the rules by picking those flowers.
Used for public notices or local laws.
J'ai enfreint le règlement de ma diète avec ce gros burger !
I broke my diet rules with this big burger!
A playful, metaphorical use of the phrase.
Le joueur a été expulsé car il a enfreint le règlement du tournoi.
The player was sent off because he violated the tournament rules.
Standard for sports commentary.
Si vous enfreignez encore le règlement, vous serez exclu.
If you violate the regulations again, you will be expelled.
Conveys a sense of gravity and consequence.
Nous devons enfreindre le règlement pour sauver la ville.
We must break the rules to save the city.
Used for dramatic effect in storytelling.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence.
L'employé a été renvoyé parce qu'il a ___ le règlement de sécurité.
The past participle of 'enfreindre' is 'enfreint' when using the passé composé.
Complete the phrase with the appropriate noun.
Il ne faut jamais enfreindre le ___ de la bibliothèque.
'Enfreindre le règlement' is the standard collocation for breaking rules.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Breaking Rules
Breaking a small habit or personal rule.
Faire une entorse à...
General breaking of rules.
Ne pas respecter les règles.
Violating official regulations or codes.
Enfreindre le règlement.
Violating a sacred or legal boundary.
Transgresser la loi.
Where to use 'Enfreindre le Règlement'
At the Office
Using personal email for work.
At School
Using a phone during an exam.
In Sports
Using prohibited equipment.
Public Spaces
Smoking in a non-smoking zone.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesL'employé a été renvoyé parce qu'il a ___ le règlement de sécurité.
The past participle of 'enfreindre' is 'enfreint' when using the passé composé.
Il ne faut jamais enfreindre le ___ de la bibliothèque.
'Enfreindre le règlement' is the standard collocation for breaking rules.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it can be for any official set of rules, like a school policy or a sports league's guidelines. For example, enfreindre le règlement intérieur is common in offices.
It sounds a bit too heavy for social etiquette. For social rules, use manquer de politesse or ne pas respecter les usages.
Violer is much stronger and often refers to laws or rights. Enfreindre is more common for administrative or organizational rules.
Yes, but mostly in serious or professional conversations. You won't hear it much in very casual slang.
You could say J'ai pas respecté les règles or J'ai fait une bêtise if it was a mistake.
Yes! Un règlement can mean a payment. However, in the context of enfreindre, it always means 'regulation' or 'rulebook'.
It is always enfreindre le règlement. The verb is transitive, so it takes a direct object with no preposition.
The opposite is respecter le règlement or se conformer au règlement.
Only if you are being humorous or dramatic. It sounds very official, so using it for a diet makes it sound like a serious crime.
People will understand you, but it sounds like an anglicism (from 'break the rules'). Enfreindre is the correct native choice.
Related Phrases
Respecter les consignes
Transgresser la loi
Faire une entorse au règlement
Être en infraction
Déroger à la règle
