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A2 adjective 11 min read

disposé

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips disposé in 30 Seconds

Explanation disposé in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of disposé as a more polite way of saying 'I want to' or 'I am okay with.' While you usually learn 'vouloir' (to want) first, 'être disposé à' is a great phrase to add to your toolkit for being polite. For example, if a teacher asks if you can help another student, you can say 'Je suis disposé à l'aider' (I am willing to help him). It shows you are friendly and cooperative. Remember the simple pattern: [Subject] + [être] + disposé + à + [action]. Don't worry about complex meanings yet; just use it to express your willingness to help or participate in simple activities like eating, playing, or talking.

At the A2 level, you should start noticing that disposé describes your mood or attitude. It is not just about having the time (which is 'disponible'), but about how you feel about an action. You should learn to agree the adjective with the subject: 'Il est disposé' but 'Elle est disposée.' You will often see this word in short dialogues or simple stories where characters are deciding whether to do something together. A common A2 situation would be: 'Est-ce que tu es disposé à venir avec nous ?' (Are you willing to come with us?). It's a key word for social interactions where you want to sound more sophisticated than a beginner.

By B1, you should be comfortable using disposé in professional and semi-formal contexts. You can use it to negotiate or set boundaries politely. For instance, in a job interview, you might say, 'Je suis disposé à voyager régulièrement' (I am willing to travel regularly). You should also understand the adverbs 'bien' and 'mal' used with it. 'Bien disposé' means you are in a good mood and receptive, while 'mal disposé' means you are not in the right headspace for a request. B1 learners should also be careful not to confuse it with 'prêt' (physically ready) and 'disponible' (free on the calendar).

At the B2 level, you can use disposé to discuss abstract concepts and public opinion. You might talk about whether a population is 'disposée à accepter' a new law or a tax increase. You should also recognize the secondary meaning of 'arranged' or 'laid out,' especially in descriptions of architecture or scenery (e.g., 'les maisons sont disposées le long de la côte'). Your usage should show that you understand the nuance of volition—that disposé implies a conscious choice or a psychological predisposition rather than just a simple desire. You should also be comfortable with the liaison in the plural: 'Ils sont disposés_à...'

At the C1 level, disposé becomes a tool for precise psychological and literary analysis. you can use it to describe a character's 'disposition' (their inherent nature) or their 'prédisposition' to certain behaviors. You will encounter it in formal essays and high-level journalism to describe the 'climat social' or 'l'état d'esprit' of a group. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, such as 'À moins qu'il ne soit particulièrement bien disposé, il refusera votre demande.' (Unless he is particularly well-disposed, he will refuse your request). You understand the subtle difference between 'disposé à' and 'enclin à,' using the latter for habitual tendencies.

For C2 learners, disposé is part of a vast web of related terms (disposition, dispositif, disponible, disposer). You use it with total precision in philosophical or legal discourse. You might discuss the 'dispositions' of a treaty (its clauses) or the 'dispositif' of a law (its practical application). You can use the word to describe the very architecture of thought or the arrangement of elements in a complex system. At this level, you also master the archaic or highly literary uses, such as 'se trouver disposé' in a certain way, and you can play with the word's polysemy (multiple meanings) to create sophisticated double-entendres or rhetorical effects in your writing.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

disposé in 30 Seconds

Primarily means 'willing' or 'inclined' to do something, usually followed by the preposition 'à'.
Agrees in gender and number with the subject (disposé, disposée, disposés, disposées).
Can also mean 'arranged' or 'placed' when describing objects or spatial layouts.
Used to describe moods (bien disposé = good mood, mal disposé = bad mood).

The French adjective disposé is a nuanced term that primarily describes a person's mental or emotional state regarding a potential action. At its core, it translates to being 'inclined,' 'willing,' or 'ready' in a psychological sense. While the English word 'ready' often implies physical preparation (like having your shoes on), disposé suggests a internal alignment or a favorable attitude toward doing something. It comes from the verb disposer, which historically means to arrange or set in order. Therefore, when you are disposé, your mind is 'arranged' in a way that makes you open to a suggestion or task.

Psychological Readiness: This refers to the internal willingness to cooperate. If a manager asks if you are 'disposé à travailler tard,' they aren't just asking if you have the time, but if you are mentally prepared to commit to the extra effort.
Formal Consent: In legal or professional contexts, being 'disposé' indicates a formal agreement to terms. It is more elegant than simply saying 'd'accord' or 'prêt.'

Je ne suis pas vraiment disposé à discuter de ce sujet pour le moment.

Translation: I am not really inclined to discuss this subject at the moment.

You will encounter this word frequently in professional emails, diplomatic negotiations, and literature. It carries a certain weight of intentionality. For example, a person might be 'prêt' (ready) to go to the gym because they have their bag packed, but they might not be 'disposé' (inclined) to go because they are feeling tired or lazy. Understanding this distinction is key to mastering mid-level French communication. It allows you to express not just your physical state, but your volitional state.

Le directeur semble bien disposé à l'égard de votre projet.

Translation: The director seems well-disposed toward your project.

Social Temperament: It can describe a general mood. 'Être bien disposé' means to be in a good, receptive mood, whereas 'être mal disposé' means to be grumpy or unreceptive.

In summary, use disposé when you want to sound more precise about your willingness. It is a step up from basic vocabulary and shows a sophisticated grasp of how emotions influence actions. Whether you are negotiating a contract or explaining why you don't feel like going out, this word provides the necessary nuance to describe the 'arrangement' of your will.

Elle est toujours disposée à aider les nouveaux étudiants.

Using disposé correctly involves understanding its grammatical structures and its agreement with the subject. As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun or pronoun it describes. The most common construction is [Subject] + être + disposé(e)(s) + à + [Infinitive Verb]. This structure is the standard way to express that someone is willing to perform an action.

The 'Willing to' Structure: This is the bread and butter of the word. 'Je suis disposé à vous écouter' (I am willing to listen to you). Note the preposition 'à' is mandatory here.
The 'Well/Ill Disposed' Structure: Using adverbs like 'bien' or 'mal' changes the meaning to reflect a general attitude. 'Il est mal disposé aujourd'hui' means 'He is in a bad mood' or 'He is unreceptive today.'

Nous sommes disposés à faire des concessions pour conclure l'accord.

Translation: We are willing to make concessions to conclude the deal.

In more advanced usage, disposé can also mean 'arranged' or 'placed' in space, though this is often handled by the past participle of the verb disposer. For example, 'Les chaises sont disposées en cercle' (The chairs are arranged in a circle). However, for French learners at the A2-B1 level, the focus should remain on the 'willingness' definition. It is a very polite word. If you want to refuse something without being rude, saying 'Je ne suis pas très disposé à...' sounds much softer than 'Je ne veux pas...' (I don't want to...).

Êtes-vous disposé à voyager pour votre travail ?

Translation: Are you willing to travel for your work?

Another interesting usage is 'envers' or 'à l'égard de' (toward). You can be 'bien disposé envers quelqu'un,' which means you have a favorable opinion of them or are feeling generous toward them. This is common in literature and high-level business negotiations where personal rapport is being discussed.

Agreement Table: Masculine Singular: disposé | Feminine Singular: disposée | Masculine Plural: disposés | Feminine Plural: disposées.

Elles ne semblaient pas disposées à partir si tôt.

Translation: They (feminine) did not seem inclined to leave so early.

When practicing, try to replace the word 'prêt' with 'disposé' in sentences where you are talking about your feelings or decisions. This will help you internalize the 'willingness' aspect of the word. For instance, instead of 'Je suis prêt à aider,' try 'Je suis disposé à aider.' The latter sounds more intentional and sophisticated.

While disposé might seem formal, it is actually quite common in everyday spoken French, especially among adults in professional or serious social settings. You won't hear teenagers using it much on the playground, but you will certainly hear it in an office, in a news interview, or during a polite dinner party. It is part of the 'standard' register of French—neither too slangy nor too archaic.

In the Workplace: 'Est-ce que vous seriez disposé à prendre ce dossier ?' (Would you be willing to take this file?). It's a polite way for a boss to ask a favor without sounding like a command.
In News and Media: Journalists often ask politicians: 'Êtes-vous disposé à négocier avec l'opposition ?' (Are you willing to negotiate with the opposition?). It focuses on the political will of the person.

Le public n'est pas encore disposé à accepter ces changements radicaux.

Translation: The public is not yet ready/inclined to accept these radical changes.

In literature and cinema, disposé is used to describe a character's internal state. A character might be 'bien disposé' after a glass of wine, making them more likely to reveal a secret. Conversely, a villain might be 'mal disposé' toward the hero, indicating a lack of mercy. It’s a word that helps set the 'vibe' of a scene. In classic French films, you’ll hear it in dialogue where characters are dancing around a difficult topic, using the word to test each other's boundaries.

Elle s'est montrée très disposée à nous aider pendant le déménagement.

Translation: She showed herself very willing to help us during the move.

You might also hear the word in the context of health, though usually in the negative. 'Être indisposé' is a common euphemism in French. While disposé means willing, indisposé usually means feeling slightly unwell, or specifically, it can be a polite way for a woman to say she is on her period. This is an important distinction to avoid confusion in social settings!

Customer Service: 'Nous sommes disposés à vous rembourser si le produit ne vous convient pas.' (We are willing to refund you if the product doesn't suit you.)

Serais-tu disposé à m'accorder quelques minutes ?

Translation: Would you be willing to grant me a few minutes?

In summary, disposé is the word of the 'willing heart and mind.' It is pervasive in any situation where cooperation, consent, or mood is being discussed. By listening for it, you'll start to notice how the French express their intentions with a level of politeness and precision that 'vouloir' (to want) simply cannot match.

Even though disposé seems straightforward, English speakers often trip over it due to its similarity to other words and its specific grammatical requirements. The most common error is confusing it with disponible (available). In English, we might say 'Are you ready to talk?' meaning 'Are you free?'. In French, if you mean 'Are you free?', you should use disponible. If you use disposé, you are asking about their emotional willingness, not their schedule.

Mistake 1: Disposé vs. Disponible: Wrong: 'Je ne suis pas disposé à 15h.' (I'm not willing at 3 PM - sounds weird). Correct: 'Je ne suis pas disponible à 15h.' (I'm not available at 3 PM).
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Preposition 'à': Wrong: 'Il est disposé partir.' Correct: 'Il est disposé à partir.' English speakers often omit the 'à' because 'willing' is followed by 'to' in English, but they forget that in French, 'à' is the link.

Attention ! Ne confondez pas disposé (willing) et disponible (available).

Another mistake is the confusion between prêt and disposé. While often interchangeable, prêt is more about being finished with preparations. If you say 'Je suis prêt à manger,' it means you've washed your hands and are sitting at the table. If you say 'Je suis disposé à manger,' it sounds like you are finally agreeing to eat after a long hunger strike—it’s about your will, not your physical state. Using disposé for simple physical readiness can sound overly dramatic.

Erreur : 'Elle est disposé à nous voir.' Correction : 'Elle est disposée à nous voir.'

There's also the false friend 'disposed' in English. In English, 'to be disposed of' means to be thrown away. In French, disposé never means 'thrown away.' The verb for throwing away is jeter or se débarrasser de. If you try to say a trash can is 'disposé,' a French person will think the trash can is willing to do something, or that it is elegantly arranged in the room!

Mistake 3: 'Indisposé' usage: Using 'indisposé' to mean 'unwilling' is technically correct but often misunderstood as 'feeling sick' or 'having a period.' To mean 'unwilling,' it's clearer to say 'pas disposé' or 'réticent.'

Je ne suis pas disposé à accepter ces conditions.

Correct way to say 'I am unwilling to accept these conditions.'

Lastly, be careful with the plural. Since disposé ends in a vowel sound, the 's' in disposés is silent. However, if the next word starts with a vowel, you must perform a liaison. 'Ils sont disposés à...' (The 's' in 'disposés' sounds like a 'z' because it links to 'à'). Many learners forget this liaison, which makes their French sound choppy.

To truly master disposé, you should understand where it sits in the spectrum of French synonyms for readiness and willingness. French is a language of precision, and choosing the right word can change the tone of your sentence entirely. Here are the most common alternatives and how they compare.

Prêt vs. Disposé: Prêt implies that all preparations are complete. Disposé implies that the mental will is present. Use 'prêt' for a race, use 'disposé' for a negotiation.
Enclin vs. Disposé: Enclin is more formal and suggests a natural tendency or habit. 'Il est enclin à la mélancolie' (He is prone to melancholy). Disposé is more about a specific moment or decision.

Il est enclin à exagérer, mais il n'est pas disposé à mentir aujourd'hui.

Translation: He is inclined to exaggerate, but he is not willing to lie today.

Another great alternative is volontaire. While disposé is a state of being, volontaire describes a personality trait or a specific act of volunteering. 'Je suis volontaire pour cette mission' means 'I volunteer for this mission.' Disposé is less active; it's more like 'I wouldn't mind doing it if asked.'

Êtes-vous favorable à cette proposition ?

Translation: Are you favorable toward this proposal? (A common alternative to 'disposé à').

Désireux vs. Disposé: Désireux (desirous/eager) is much stronger than 'disposé'. If you are 'désireux de réussir', you have a strong passion. 'Disposé' is more neutral.

Finally, consider the word prêt à tout (ready for anything). This is a common idiom. While you could say 'disposé à tout,' it doesn't have the same punchy, determined feel as 'prêt à tout.' Use disposé when you want to sound thoughtful, and prêt when you want to sound active and immediate. By mixing these synonyms, you can express varying levels of enthusiasm and commitment in your French conversations.

Je suis prêt à partir, mais je ne suis pas disposé à conduire sous la pluie.

Translation: I am ready to leave, but I am not willing to drive in the rain.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word originally referred to how troops were placed on a battlefield. It wasn't until later that it began to describe a person's mental 'arrangement' or mood.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dis.po.ze/

US /dɪs.poʊ.zeɪ/

In French, stress is usually on the final syllable: dis-po-ZÉ.

Rhymes With

osé posé arrosé proposé exposé composé reposé supposé

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as 'ss'. It should be a 'z' sound because it's between two vowels (di-spo-zé). Wait, actually 's' after 'i' and before 'p' is 's'. The error is pronouncing the final 'é' as 'ee'. It should be 'ay'.
Forgetting the liaison in 'disposés à' (sounding the 's' as a 'z' before the 'à').
Pronouncing 'disposé' like the English 'disposed' with a 'd' sound at the end.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Common in texts, easy to recognize from English 'disposed'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the preposition 'à' and gender agreement.

Speaking 3/5

Requires correct pronunciation and liaison in the plural.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with 'disponible'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

être prêt vouloir à aider

Learn Next

disponible enclin disposer disposition favorable

Advanced

prédisposition dispositif discrétionnaire volition

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

La femme est disposée.

Preposition 'à' with Infinitives

Disposé à chanter.

Liaison with silent 's'

Ils sont disposés_à (z sound).

Adverb placement

Il est BIEN disposé.

Negative 'ne...pas' around the verb

Il n'est pas disposé.

Examples by Level

Je suis disposé à aider.

I am willing to help.

Basic 'être disposé à' structure.

Elle est disposée à parler.

She is willing to talk.

Feminine agreement: 'disposée'.

Es-tu disposé à manger ?

Are you willing to eat?

Question form using 'es-tu'.

Nous sommes disposés à jouer.

We are willing to play.

Plural agreement: 'disposés'.

Il n'est pas disposé à sortir.

He is not willing to go out.

Negative form: 'ne... pas'.

Ils sont disposés à écouter.

They are willing to listen.

Masculine plural agreement.

Je suis bien disposé aujourd'hui.

I am in a good mood today.

Using 'bien' to modify the mood.

Êtes-vous disposé à apprendre ?

Are you willing to learn?

Formal 'vous' form.

Mon ami est disposé à me prêter son vélo.

My friend is willing to lend me his bike.

Object pronoun 'me' before the verb.

Elle semble disposée à changer d'avis.

She seems willing to change her mind.

Using the verb 'sembler' (to seem).

Nous ne sommes pas disposés à attendre longtemps.

We are not willing to wait for a long time.

Negative plural.

Le professeur est disposé à expliquer encore.

The teacher is willing to explain again.

Standard structure with 'à'.

Es-tu disposée à essayer ce gâteau ?

Are you (fem.) willing to try this cake?

Feminine singular question.

Ils sont bien disposés à notre égard.

They are well-disposed toward us.

Use of 'à notre égard' (toward us).

Je suis disposé à faire un effort.

I am willing to make an effort.

Common expression 'faire un effort'.

Elle n'était pas disposée à chanter.

She was not willing to sing.

Imparfait tense 'était'.

Le client est disposé à signer le contrat demain.

The client is willing to sign the contract tomorrow.

Professional context.

Seriez-vous disposé à travailler le week-end ?

Would you be willing to work on weekends?

Conditional mood 'seriez-vous'.

Elles sont disposées à négocier le prix.

They (fem.) are willing to negotiate the price.

Feminine plural agreement.

Je ne me sens pas disposé à rire aujourd'hui.

I don't feel in the mood to laugh today.

Reflexive 'se sentir disposé'.

Le gouvernement est disposé à écouter les syndicats.

The government is willing to listen to the unions.

Political context.

Nous sommes disposés à vous offrir une réduction.

We are willing to offer you a discount.

Indirect object 'vous'.

Il s'est montré disposé à coopérer avec la police.

He showed himself willing to cooperate with the police.

Passé composé with 'se montrer'.

Êtes-vous disposé à prendre ce risque ?

Are you willing to take this risk?

Abstract concept: risk.

Les chaises étaient disposées en cercle pour la réunion.

The chairs were arranged in a circle for the meeting.

Secondary meaning: arranged/placed.

Il est peu disposé à accepter cette critique.

He is little inclined to accept this criticism.

Using 'peu' as a negative modifier.

La population n'est pas disposée à subir une nouvelle hausse d'impôts.

The population is not willing to undergo a new tax increase.

Social/Political context.

Elle est naturellement disposée à la bienveillance.

She is naturally predisposed to kindness.

Abstract quality 'la bienveillance'.

Nous sommes disposés à envisager toutes les options.

We are willing to consider all options.

Formal verb 'envisager'.

L'appartement est bien disposé et très lumineux.

The apartment is well laid out and very bright.

Describing spatial layout.

Il faut être disposé à se remettre en question.

One must be willing to question oneself.

Reflexive 'se remettre en question'.

Sont-ils disposés à assumer leurs responsabilités ?

Are they willing to take responsibility?

Plural question.

L'auteur semble peu disposé à accorder des interviews.

The author seems reluctant to grant interviews.

Nuanced reluctance.

Une âme bien disposée trouvera toujours une raison d'espérer.

A well-disposed soul will always find a reason to hope.

Literary/Philosophical use.

Les troupes étaient disposées stratégiquement sur la colline.

The troops were strategically positioned on the hill.

Military/Spatial context.

Il ne se sentait guère disposé à la confidence ce soir-là.

He felt hardly inclined to confide that evening.

Use of 'guère' (hardly).

La cour est disposée à entendre votre témoignage.

The court is prepared to hear your testimony.

Legal context.

Elle n'est pas disposée à transiger sur ses principes.

She is not willing to compromise on her principles.

Formal verb 'transiger'.

Le destin semblait mal disposé à son égard.

Fate seemed ill-disposed toward him.

Personification of fate.

Être disposé à la contemplation demande du silence.

Being inclined toward contemplation requires silence.

Abstract noun 'la contemplation'.

Le législateur a disposé que nul n'est censé ignorer la loi.

The legislator has ordained that no one is supposed to be ignorant of the law.

Legal 'disposer que' (to ordain/decree).

Son tempérament le rendait peu disposé aux effusions sentimentales.

His temperament made him little inclined to sentimental outbursts.

Complex psychological description.

Les éléments du récit sont habilement disposés pour créer du suspense.

The elements of the story are skillfully arranged to create suspense.

Literary analysis of structure.

On ne saurait être mieux disposé à votre cause que je ne le suis.

One could not be better disposed toward your cause than I am.

Highly formal rhetorical structure.

L'esprit humain est-il naturellement disposé à la croyance ?

Is the human mind naturally predisposed to belief?

Philosophical inquiry.

Il s'est trouvé fort mal disposé par cette nouvelle inattendue.

He found himself very much put out by this unexpected news.

Archaic/Formal 'se trouver disposé'.

La structure même du bâtiment est disposée pour optimiser l'énergie.

The very structure of the building is laid out to optimize energy.

Technical spatial arrangement.

Elle n'était nullement disposée à se laisser fléchir.

She was by no means inclined to let herself be swayed.

Use of 'nullement' (by no means).

Common Collocations

être disposé à

bien disposé

mal disposé

peu disposé à

être disposé en...

naturellement disposé

se montrer disposé

rester disposé à

disposé en cercle

être favorablement disposé

Common Phrases

être à la disposition de

— To be available for someone's use or help.

Je suis à votre disposition.

en être disposé

— To have the right mindset for something specific.

Je n'en suis pas disposé.

être bien disposé envers

— To have a favorable attitude toward someone.

Il est bien disposé envers moi.

être mal disposé envers

— To have an unfavorable attitude toward someone.

Elle est mal disposée envers son patron.

être disposé à tout

— To be willing to do anything (often implies desperation).

Il est disposé à tout pour réussir.

être peu disposé à

— To be reluctant or not very willing.

Je suis peu disposé à sortir.

se sentir disposé à

— To feel like doing something.

Je me sens disposé à travailler.

être favorablement disposé

— To be inclined to say yes or support.

Le chef est favorablement disposé.

être disposé par le sort

— To be placed in a situation by fate (literary).

Il fut ainsi disposé par le sort.

être disposé à faire des concessions

— To be willing to compromise.

Nous sommes disposés à faire des concessions.

Often Confused With

disposé vs disponible

Means 'available' (time-wise), whereas 'disposé' means 'willing' (mentally).

disposé vs prêt

Means 'ready' (prepared), whereas 'disposé' means 'inclined' (willing).

disposé vs indisposé

Often used to mean feeling sick or having a period, rather than just 'unwilling'.

Idioms & Expressions

"avoir le cœur bien disposé"

— To be in a generous or kind mood.

Il a le cœur bien disposé aujourd'hui.

literary

"être disposé comme quatre"

— To be extremely willing or ready (rare/regional).

Il est disposé comme quatre pour la fête.

informal

"disposé à la légère"

— To be willing without thinking it through.

Il s'est montré disposé à la légère.

neutral

"être mal disposé pour la bagarre"

— To not be in the mood for an argument or fight.

Laisse-le, il est mal disposé pour la bagarre.

informal

"être disposé à tout vent"

— To be easily influenced or fickle (literary).

Son esprit est disposé à tout vent.

literary

"être disposé à rendre l'âme"

— To be close to death (euphemism).

Le vieil homme semblait disposé à rendre l'âme.

literary

"être disposé à faire amende honorable"

— To be willing to apologize or make amends.

Il est enfin disposé à faire amende honorable.

formal

"être disposé à brûler ses vaisseaux"

— To be willing to cut off all retreat (burn one's bridges).

Il est disposé à brûler ses vaisseaux pour ce projet.

neutral

"être disposé à avaler des couleuvres"

— To be willing to accept insults or hard things without complaining.

Il est disposé à avaler des couleuvres pour garder son poste.

informal

"être disposé à mettre la main à la pâte"

— To be willing to help out with the actual work.

Tout le monde est disposé à mettre la main à la pâte.

neutral

Easily Confused

disposé vs disponible

Both start with 'dis' and relate to readiness.

Disponible is about time/schedule. Disposé is about mood/will.

Je suis disponible à 5h, mais je ne suis pas disposé à travailler.

disposé vs prêt

Both translate to 'ready' in some contexts.

Prêt is for preparation. Disposé is for intention.

Je suis prêt à courir, mais je ne suis pas disposé à perdre.

disposé vs enclin

Both mean 'inclined'.

Enclin is a permanent tendency. Disposé is a temporary state or specific decision.

Il est enclin à la colère, mais il est disposé à rester calme maintenant.

disposé vs indisposé

It looks like the simple negative of disposé.

Indisposé is usually a medical or polite euphemism for being sick.

Elle ne peut pas venir, elle est indisposée.

disposé vs dispositif

Same root.

Dispositif is a noun meaning a device or a set of measures.

Le dispositif de sécurité est en place.

Sentence Patterns

Je suis disposé à [Verb].

Je suis disposé à manger.

Elle est disposée à [Verb].

Elle est disposée à aider.

Nous sommes disposés à [Verb].

Nous sommes disposés à négocier.

Êtes-vous disposé à [Verb] ?

Êtes-vous disposé à venir ?

Il se montre disposé à [Verb].

Il se montre disposé à coopérer.

[Noun] sont disposés en [Shape/Order].

Les livres sont disposés en piles.

Peu disposé à [Verb], il [Action].

Peu disposé à parler, il s'en alla.

À moins d'être bien disposé, [Subject] [Verb].

À moins d'être bien disposé, il refusera.

Word Family

Nouns

disposition (f) - mood/arrangement

dispositif (m) - device/plan

disponibilité (f) - availability

Verbs

disposer - to arrange/to have at one's disposal

prédisposer - to predispose

Adjectives

disponible - available

indisposé - unwell/unwilling

prédisposé - predisposed

pose

position

proposer

exposer

composer

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional and written French; moderate in casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Je suis disposé à 14h. → Je suis disponible à 14h.
You are available at a time, not 'willing' at a time.
Elle est disposé. → Elle est disposée.
Adjectives must agree with the feminine subject.
Je suis disposé pour aider. → Je suis disposé à aider.
The correct preposition after 'disposé' is 'à', not 'pour'.
Ils sont disposé à partir. → Ils sont disposés à partir.
Plural subjects require a plural adjective.
Je ne suis pas indisposé à aider. → Je ne suis pas disposé à aider.
'Indisposé' often implies being sick; 'pas disposé' is better for unwilling.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always match 'disposé' to your subject. 'Nous (fem.) sommes disposées' requires both an 'e' and an 's'.

Polite Refusals

Instead of saying 'I don't want to', say 'Je ne suis pas très disposé à le faire'. It sounds much more polite.

The Liaison

Practice saying 'Ils sont disposés à' as 'dis-po-zay-za'. The 'z' sound makes it flow better.

Work Emails

Use 'Je reste à votre disposition' at the end of emails. It's the standard professional sign-off.

Describe Your Day

Use 'bien disposé' to tell your friends you're having a great, receptive day.

Disposé vs Prêt

Remember: 'Prêt' is for your bags, 'disposé' is for your brain.

Follow the 'À'

Always link 'disposé' to an action with 'à'. It's like a bridge to the next verb.

Careful with Indisposé

Don't use 'indisposé' just to mean 'unwilling' unless you want people to ask if you need a doctor.

Vary Your Synonyms

Use 'enclin' for habits and 'disposé' for one-time decisions to show off your range.

Catch the Liaison

In movies, listen for the 'z' sound linking 'disposés' to 'à'. It's a hallmark of natural French.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'disposed' in English, but remember it's about how your mind is 'positioned'. If you are 'dis-posed', you are 'positioned' to say yes.

Visual Association

Imagine a set of gears in a head. When they are 'disposés' (arranged) correctly, the person is ready to work.

Word Web

willing ready inclined arranged mood consent attitude prepared

Challenge

Try to use 'disposé' in three different ways today: once for your mood, once for a favor, and once for how objects are placed.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'disponere', which means 'to set in different places' or 'to arrange'. The prefix 'dis-' means 'apart' and 'ponere' means 'to place'.

Original meaning: To arrange or put in order.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

Be careful with 'indisposée' for women, as it strongly implies menstruation.

English speakers often say 'I'm down' or 'I'm up for it'. 'Disposé' is much more formal than these expressions.

Molière often used the word to describe the moods of his comedic characters. In the 'Code Civil' (French Civil Code), 'disposer' and 'disposé' appear frequently regarding property and legal rights. The phrase 'L'homme propose, Dieu dispose' (Man proposes, God disposes) is a very famous French proverb.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Professional

Je suis disposé à négocier.
Seriez-vous disposé à ?
Nous sommes disposés à accepter.
Rester disposé à.

Social

Je ne suis pas disposé à sortir.
Elle est bien disposée.
Es-tu disposé à aider ?
Bien disposé envers toi.

Legal

Le témoin est disposé à parler.
Les parties sont disposées.
Disposé par la loi.
Être disposé à témoigner.

Architecture/Design

Les meubles sont disposés.
Disposé en cercle.
Bien disposé (spatial).
Disposé le long de.

Health/Mood

Se sentir disposé.
Être mal disposé.
Peu disposé à rire.
Bien disposé physiquement.

Conversation Starters

"Serais-tu disposé à m'aider avec ce projet ?"

"Est-ce que tu es bien disposé aujourd'hui pour une longue marche ?"

"Êtes-vous disposé à changer vos plans pour le week-end ?"

"À quel point es-tu disposé à faire des compromis ?"

"Pourquoi n'es-tu pas disposé à en parler maintenant ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une situation où vous étiez peu disposé à aider, mais vous l'avez fait quand même.

Êtes-vous naturellement disposé à faire confiance aux gens ?

Comment vous sentez-vous quand vous êtes 'mal disposé' le matin ?

Quelles sont les choses que vous n'êtes jamais disposé à faire ?

Décrivez comment les meubles sont disposés dans votre pièce préférée.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'disposé' means 'willing' or 'inclined'. If you want to say you are free at a certain time, use 'disponible'.

It is neutral to formal. It is very common in professional emails, but you can use it in casual speech to sound polite.

Usually 'à' when followed by a verb (e.g., disposé à aider).

The feminine form is 'disposée'. You must add an 'e'.

Yes, it can mean 'arranged' or 'placed' (e.g., les fleurs sont disposées).

You can say 'Je suis bien disposé'.

The most direct opposite for willingness is 'peu disposé' or 'pas disposé'. 'Indisposé' often means sick.

Only if the next word starts with a vowel (liaison). Otherwise, it is silent.

No, you 'disposez DE quelque chose' (verb), but you are 'disposé À faire quelque chose' (adjective).

Not really. Slang speakers would use 'être chaud' or 'être partant'.