Administrer means to manage affairs or to provide medical treatment.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To manage or direct an organization or property.
- To give a medical treatment or medication to someone.
- A formal verb used in professional and medical contexts.
Présentation générale
'Administrer' est un verbe d'action formel qui implique une responsabilité de gestion. Il provient du latin 'administrare' (servir, assister). Il est très présent dans le monde administratif, politique et médical. 2) Modèles d'utilisation : Le verbe est transitif direct, ce qui signifie qu'il est suivi d'un complément d'objet direct (COD). On administre quelque chose (une entreprise, un médicament, une preuve). 3) Contextes courants : Dans un contexte professionnel, on parle d'administrer une société ou des biens. Dans un contexte de santé, on administre un traitement ou un vaccin. Dans un contexte juridique, on administre la preuve d'un fait. 4) Comparaison de mots : Contrairement à 'gérer', qui est plus courant et polyvalent pour les tâches quotidiennes, 'administrer' porte une connotation plus institutionnelle ou officielle. 'Diriger' insiste davantage sur l'autorité et le commandement, tandis qu'administrer insiste sur l'organisation et la mise en œuvre des ressources.
Usage Notes
Administrer is a formal verb that sits higher on the register scale than 'gérer'. It is rarely used in casual conversation unless referring specifically to medical dosages. It implies a structured and regulated approach to management.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it to mean 'to manage people', which is incorrect. Another error is using it for simple chores like 'doing the dishes'. Always ensure the object is a system, a resource, or a medical treatment.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Admin' in 'Administrator'. An administrator is someone who organizes, so to 'administrer' is to do the work of an administrator.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'administrare', composed of 'ad' (to) and 'ministrare' (to serve). It originally meant to serve or assist in a task.
Cultural Context
In France, the term is heavily associated with the 'Administration', the complex state bureaucracy. It carries a sense of official duty and legal responsibility.
Examples
Il faut administrer ce médicament avec précaution.
everydayYou must administer this medication with caution.
Le conseil d'administration administre la société.
formalThe board of directors manages the company.
Il administre ses économies très prudemment.
informalHe manages his savings very carefully.
Le juge doit administrer la preuve de la culpabilité.
academicThe judge must provide proof of guilt.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
administrer la justice
to administer justice
administrer les preuves
to present evidence
administrer une dose
to administer a dose
Often Confused With
Gérer is used for everyday tasks and personal management. Administrer is more official and often relates to institutional or medical contexts.
Diriger implies leadership and command over people or a project. Administrer focuses on the technical side of organization.
Grammar Patterns
Use in professional settings
Reserve 'administrer' for formal reports or official documentation. It sounds much more professional than 'gérer' in a business context.
Avoid using for people
Never use this verb to describe managing a team of people. Use 'diriger' or 'gérer' instead.
The French Administration
In France, 'l'administration' refers specifically to the government bureaucracy. Using the verb 'administrer' often implies dealing with these official structures.
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase avec la forme correcte.
L'infirmière doit ___ le médicament au patient toutes les quatre heures.
Après un verbe conjugué (doit), on utilise l'infinitif.
Choisissez le synonyme le plus proche.
Le maire administre la ville.
Administrer et gérer sont ici des quasi-synonymes.
Remettez les mots dans l'ordre.
les / il / biens / administre / familiaux
La structure sujet + verbe + complément est respectée.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsGérer est plus informel et s'applique à tout (argent, temps, projet). Administrer est plus soutenu et s'utilise souvent pour des structures complexes, des biens immobiliers ou des médicaments.
Non, on administre des choses, des services ou des traitements. On ne peut pas administrer une personne, on la dirige ou on la manage.
Il est assez formel. À l'oral, on préférera souvent 'donner' pour un médicament ou 's'occuper de' pour une gestion.
Le nom dérivé est 'administration'. Il désigne à la fois l'action d'administrer et l'ensemble des services publics.
Summary
Administrer means to manage affairs or to provide medical treatment.
- To manage or direct an organization or property.
- To give a medical treatment or medication to someone.
- A formal verb used in professional and medical contexts.
Use in professional settings
Reserve 'administrer' for formal reports or official documentation. It sounds much more professional than 'gérer' in a business context.
Avoid using for people
Never use this verb to describe managing a team of people. Use 'diriger' or 'gérer' instead.
The French Administration
In France, 'l'administration' refers specifically to the government bureaucracy. Using the verb 'administrer' often implies dealing with these official structures.
Examples
4 of 4Il faut administrer ce médicament avec précaution.
You must administer this medication with caution.
Le conseil d'administration administre la société.
The board of directors manages the company.
Il administre ses économies très prudemment.
He manages his savings very carefully.
Le juge doit administrer la preuve de la culpabilité.
The judge must provide proof of guilt.
Related Vocabulary
More business words
aboutir
A2To succeed in doing something; to lead to a result.
abroger
B1To repeal or cancel a law, agreement, or contract.
accéder
A2To access; to obtain or retrieve information or a service.
accord commercial
B1Trade agreement; an international treaty about trade in goods and services.
accorder
B1To grant or give something to someone.
accroître
A2To increase, to enhance.
accru
B1Increased, enhanced; grown or intensified, especially in amount or degree.
acheminement
B2Routing or forwarding of goods.
acompte
B1Deposit, down payment; an initial payment made when buying something expensive.
acquéreur
B1Acquirer, purchaser; a person who buys something.
