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négliger

A2 verb 12 min read

négliger

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips négliger in 30 Seconds

Explanation négliger in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand 'négliger' as a basic word for 'not taking care of something.' Imagine you have a plant and you don't give it water; you are 'négliger' the plant. It is a verb that ends in -er, so it follows the same pattern as 'parler' or 'manger.' You might use it to talk about simple things like chores or schoolwork. For example, 'Tu négliges tes devoirs' (You are neglecting your homework). At this stage, just focus on the present tense: je néglige, tu négliges, il néglige. Remember that it means you are being a bit lazy or forgetful about a responsibility. It's an important word because it helps you describe when things aren't being done correctly. You don't need to know all the complex meanings yet, just the idea of 'failing to do a small task' or 'failing to look after an object.' Think of it as the opposite of 's'occuper de' (to take care of). If you don't 't'occupes de' your cat, you 'négliges' your cat. It's a useful word for simple daily life descriptions.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'négliger' in more varied contexts, such as health and personal habits. You should be aware of the spelling rule for the 'nous' form: 'nous négligeons.' This 'e' is very important for correct pronunciation. You can also use the passé composé: 'j'ai négligé.' At this level, you might talk about neglecting your health ('négliger sa santé') or neglecting a friend ('négliger un ami'). It's also the level where you introduce the reflexive form 'se négliger,' which means to stop taking care of your own appearance or well-being. This is a common way to describe someone who is going through a tough time. You will see this word in simple stories or news snippets about people who didn't follow rules or didn't maintain their property. It's a step up from 'oublier' (to forget) because it implies that you knew you had to do something, but you didn't do it. Practice using it with direct objects like 'son travail,' 'sa voiture,' or 'ses plantes.'

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'négliger' in all tenses, including the imparfait and the future. You will start to see it used in more abstract ways, such as neglecting a detail ('négliger un détail') or a possibility ('négliger une possibilité'). This is also the stage where you should learn the construction 'négliger de + infinitive,' which means to fail to do a specific action. For example, 'Il a négligé de fermer la fenêtre.' This adds a layer of precision to your speaking. You should also recognize the noun 'une négligence' and the adjective 'négligé.' You might use these in a professional context, like discussing a project that wasn't handled well. B1 learners should also be able to distinguish 'négliger' from 'ignorer.' While 'ignorer' often means 'to not know,' 'négliger' always implies a lack of care. You can use 'négliger' to express criticism in a polite way, which is a key skill at this level. You might also encounter it in more formal letters or reports where someone is being held accountable for their actions or lack thereof.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'négliger' with nuance and in more complex sentence structures. You should understand its use in the passive voice ('être négligé') and the nuances of the adjective 'négligé' when used to describe a style or a look. You can use it to discuss social issues, such as the government neglecting certain sectors of the population. At this level, you should also be familiar with synonyms like 'délaisser' or 'omettre' and know when to choose 'négliger' over them. You might use it in debates to point out an overlooked argument: 'C'est un point que nous ne pouvons pas négliger.' This shows a high level of command over the word's argumentative power. You should also be aware of the phrase 'à ne pas négliger' (not to be overlooked/ignored), which is very common in business and academic contexts. Your ability to use 'négliger' to describe subtle emotional states or professional lapses will demonstrate your growing fluency. You can also explore the legal implications of 'négligence' in more detailed texts.

At the C1 level, 'négliger' becomes a tool for precise and sophisticated expression. You should be able to use it in literary or highly formal contexts, such as 'ne pas négliger de faire quelque chose' as a formal imperative. You will encounter 'négliger' in philosophical or academic texts to describe the omission of certain variables or theories. You should also understand the aesthetic concept of 'le négligé' in literature and art—a style that appears casual but is carefully constructed. C1 learners should be able to discuss the subtle differences between 'négliger,' 'méconnaître,' and 'faire fi de.' Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its historical and cultural connotations, such as its role in 19th-century French novels to describe social decay. You can also use it to describe very specific failures in complex systems, such as 'négliger les protocoles de sécurité.' At this level, you should be able to write an essay discussing the long-term effects of neglecting cultural heritage or environmental protection, using 'négliger' and its derivatives with perfect accuracy and stylistic flair.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'négliger' and all its subtle shades of meaning. You can use it in any context, from the most casual conversation to the most rigorous academic dissertation. You understand its etymological roots and how they influence its modern usage. You can play with the word's different meanings—physical neglect, emotional disregard, and intellectual omission—to create rich, metaphorical language. You are familiar with rare or archaic uses of the word in classical French literature. You can analyze how 'négliger' is used in political rhetoric to shift blame or highlight systemic failures. Your use of 'négliger' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use it in complex conditional or subjunctive structures without hesitation. For example, 'Eût-il négligé ses devoirs, il n'aurait jamais atteint ce poste.' This level of mastery allows you to use the word to convey irony, sarcasm, or deep pathos. You are also fully aware of the legal nuances of 'négligence' in different jurisdictions of the French-speaking world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

négliger in 30 Seconds

Négliger means to fail to take proper care of something or someone, often implying a lack of attention or a breach of responsibility.
It is a regular -er verb, but requires an extra 'e' in the 'nous' form (négligeons) to maintain the soft 'g' sound.
The reflexive form 'se négliger' describes someone who has stopped taking care of their own appearance, health, or personal well-being.
It is commonly used in professional, medical, and personal contexts to describe lapses in duty, care, or consideration of details.

The French verb négliger is a sophisticated yet common term that translates primarily to 'to neglect,' 'to ignore,' or 'to disregard.' At its core, it describes a lack of attention, care, or consideration toward something or someone that deserves or requires it. Unlike the simple act of forgetting ('oublier'), négliger often implies a level of responsibility or a continuous state of indifference. It is a word that carries weight in personal, professional, and legal contexts, suggesting a failure to fulfill a duty or maintain a standard.

The Essence of Neglect: To neglect is to fail to provide the necessary care, whether it be for a plant, a child, one's health, or a professional task. It suggests a passive failure rather than an active destruction.

Il ne faut jamais négliger sa santé, même quand on est très occupé par le travail.

In everyday life, you might hear this word when someone discusses their appearance or their home. When a person 'se néglige' (the reflexive form), it means they have stopped taking care of themselves, perhaps due to depression, stress, or a lack of interest in their personal hygiene and presentation. This nuance is vital for learners to understand, as it shifts the focus from an external object to the subject's own well-being.

Professional Context: In a workplace, neglecting a file ('un dossier') or a client ('un client') can lead to serious consequences. It implies a lack of professionalism and a breach of trust.

Culturally, the concept of 'négligence' (the noun form) is significant in French law and ethics. It is used to describe a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances. This could range from medical negligence to parental neglect. However, in a more artistic or literary sense, 'un air négligé' can sometimes be used to describe a style that is intentionally messy or casual, yet still fashionable—the classic 'effortless' look that the French are famous for.

L'écrivain a tendance à négliger les détails techniques au profit de l'émotion pure.

Social Dynamics: Neglecting a friend or a family member ('négliger ses proches') is often seen as a deep emotional slight, suggesting that the relationship is no longer a priority.

Finally, 'négliger' can be used in the sense of 'to omit' or 'to leave out.' For example, if you are planning a trip, you shouldn't 'négliger aucun détail' (neglect any detail). This usage highlights the importance of thoroughness. Whether you are talking about avoiding mistakes or failing to nurture a relationship, négliger is the go-to word for expressing the absence of due care and attention in the French language.

Elle a été critiquée pour avoir négligé ses devoirs de citoyenne.

Le jardinier a négligé d'arroser les fleurs pendant la canicule.

Using négliger correctly requires understanding its transitivity and its reflexive possibilities. Most commonly, it is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. You neglect something or someone. However, it can also be followed by a preposition and an infinitive in certain constructions, though this is less frequent than the direct object usage.

Direct Object Usage: This is the standard form: Subject + Négliger + Noun. Example: 'Il néglige son travail' (He neglects his work).

Tu ne devrais pas négliger les conseils de ton médecin.

When conjugating, pay close attention to the 'nous' form in the present tense: 'nous négligeons.' The 'e' is inserted to prevent the 'g' from sounding hard (like 'gate') before the 'o'. This rule applies to all tenses where the ending starts with 'a' or 'o', such as the imparfait (je négligeais, tu négligeais, il négligeait, ils négligeaient).

The Reflexive Form: Se Négliger: 'Se négliger' means to neglect oneself. It is often used to describe someone who has lost interest in their hygiene, appearance, or health. Example: 'Depuis sa rupture, il se néglige.'

In formal writing or instructions, you might see 'négliger de' followed by an infinitive. This translates to 'to fail to' or 'to omit to.' For example, 'Il a négligé de fermer la porte à clé' (He neglected to lock the door). This construction emphasizes the omission of a specific action rather than a general state of neglect.

Le rapport a négligé de mentionner les risques environnementaux.

Negation and Emphasis: To say 'not to be neglected,' use 'à ne pas négliger.' Example: 'C'est un avantage à ne pas négliger' (It's an advantage not to be overlooked).

Furthermore, 'négliger' can be used in the passive voice to describe something that has been cast aside. 'Cette vieille maison a été négligée pendant des années' (This old house has been neglected for years). In this context, it functions much like the English equivalent, highlighting the state of the object resulting from the lack of care.

Nous ne pouvons plus négliger l'impact du changement climatique.

N'allez pas négliger vos amis pour votre nouvelle passion.

The word négliger is pervasive in French society, appearing in news broadcasts, literature, medical consultations, and casual conversations. It is not overly formal, but it carries a certain seriousness that makes it suitable for discussing important lapses in care or attention. You will likely encounter it in any discussion involving responsibility or maintenance.

In the News and Media: Journalists often use 'négligence' and 'négliger' when reporting on public infrastructure, political duties, or environmental issues. 'Le gouvernement a négligé les zones rurales' is a common headline.

Le rapport souligne que la sécurité a été négligée par l'entreprise.

In the medical field, a doctor might ask a patient if they have been neglecting their treatment: 'Avez-vous négligé de prendre vos médicaments ?' Here, it is a polite but firm way to address non-compliance. Similarly, in psychology, the term 'négligence affective' (emotional neglect) is used to describe a lack of emotional support during childhood, a topic frequently discussed in French health magazines and podcasts.

Daily Life and Relationships: In personal conversations, 'négliger' is used to express feelings of being ignored. A partner might say, 'Je me sens négligé(e) ces derniers temps,' indicating they feel they aren't getting enough attention.

Education is another sphere where 'négliger' is common. Teachers might warn students: 'Ne négligez pas la grammaire au profit du vocabulaire.' This highlights the word's utility in discussing balance and priorities. In sports, a coach might tell an athlete not to neglect their recovery phase: 'Ne néglige pas la récupération après l'entraînement.'

Il est facile de négliger les petites dépenses quotidiennes, mais elles s'accumulent.

Art and Aesthetics: The adjective 'négligé' is often used in fashion to describe a 'disheveled' look. While it can be a criticism, in certain fashion contexts, it refers to a studied nonchalance.

Finally, in business meetings, you will hear 'négliger' when discussing market opportunities or risks. 'On ne peut pas négliger ce nouveau marché' (We cannot ignore this new market). In this sense, it is synonymous with 'ignorer' but carries a stronger nuance of 'it would be a mistake to ignore this.'

Elle ne néglige aucun effort pour réussir son examen.

Les autorités ont négligé les avertissements des experts.

Learning négliger involves navigating a few linguistic pitfalls. The most common mistakes for English speakers stem from spelling, conjugation, and confusing it with similar verbs like 'ignorer' or 'oublier'. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid clarity issues.

Spelling and Conjugation: The 'e' Rule: The most frequent written error is forgetting the 'e' in 'nous négligeons' or 'je négligeais'. Without that 'e', the 'g' would be hard, sounding like 'negli-gon'.

Faux: Nous négligons nos devoirs. Correct: Nous négligeons nos devoirs.

Another common mistake is confusing 'négliger' with 'ignorer'. In English, 'to ignore' can mean both 'to not know' and 'to disregard'. In French, 'ignorer' primarily means 'to not be aware of' or 'to not know'. If you want to say you are intentionally disregarding someone, 'négliger' or 'faire semblant de ne pas voir' is often more accurate, although 'ignorer' can be used in the sense of 'giving someone the cold shoulder'.

Négliger vs. Oublier: 'Oublier' is a simple memory lapse. 'Négliger' is a failure of care. If you forgot your keys, you 'oublié' them. If you didn't bother to lock the door for a week, you 'négligé' the security of your house.

Learners also struggle with the preposition 'de'. While 'négliger' usually takes a direct object, when followed by a verb, it requires 'de'. Example: 'Il a négligé de répondre' (He neglected to answer). Forgetting the 'de' is a common error at the B1 level. Additionally, don't confuse the adjective 'négligé' (untidy) with 'négligeable' (insignificant). 'C'est une erreur négligeable' means it's a small, unimportant mistake.

Faux: Il a négligé répondre. Correct: Il a négligé de répondre.

Pronunciation Pitfalls: Ensure the 'é' (acute accent) is pronounced clearly as /e/. Some learners accidentally pronounce it as /ɛ/ (like in 'met'), which can make the word harder to recognize.

Finally, avoid using 'négliger' when you mean 'to underestimate'. While they are related, 'sous-estimer' is the correct term for thinking something is less important or smaller than it is. 'Négliger' is the action of not caring for it, regardless of your estimation of its value. For instance, you might know a risk is huge but still 'négliger' to take precautions.

N'utilisez pas négliger pour dire 'underestimate'. Dites 'sous-estimer'.

Il ne faut pas négliger l'importance des détails (don't fail to care for them).

To truly master négliger, it's helpful to compare it with its synonyms and alternatives. French offers several words that touch upon the idea of ignoring or failing to care for something, each with its own specific register and nuance. Using the right one will make your French sound more precise and nuanced.

Délaisser: This word is stronger than 'négliger' and often implies abandonment. If you 'délaisser' a project, you have completely stopped working on it. If you 'négliger' it, you might still be doing it, but poorly.

Il a délaissé sa famille pour sa carrière (stronger than neglected; he essentially left them).

'Omettre' is another alternative, particularly in writing. It means 'to omit' or 'to leave out'. It is more neutral than 'négliger' and doesn't necessarily imply a fault in character, but rather a technical or accidental exclusion. For instance, 'J'ai omis de signer le document' is a professional way to say you forgot to sign it.

Méconnaître: This means to fail to recognize the value or importance of something. It is more intellectual than 'négliger'. You might 'méconnaître' the talent of an artist, meaning you don't see how good they are.

In a legal or formal context, 'manquer à' is often used. 'Manquer à ses devoirs' means to fail in one's duties. This is a direct synonym for 'négliger ses devoirs' but sounds slightly more official. Another formal term is 'faire fi de', which means to disregard something with a hint of disdain or intentionality. 'Il fait fi des conventions sociales' (He disregards social conventions).

L'entreprise ne doit pas omettre les règles de sécurité.

Bafouer: This is a very strong word meaning to flout or trample upon. 'Bafouer les droits de l'homme' is much more aggressive than 'négliger les droits'. It implies an active violation.

To summarize the comparisons: Use 'négliger' for a lack of care or attention; 'délaisser' for abandonment; 'omettre' for leaving something out; 'méconnaître' for failing to appreciate; and 'manquer à' for failing a duty. Choosing the right word depends on whether the failure was accidental, intentional, intellectual, or total.

Il a manqué à sa promesse de nous aider.

Elle fait fi des critiques pour suivre son propre chemin.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'legere' is also the source of the English words 'elect' and 'legend.' So, etymologically, neglecting something is the opposite of 'electing' or choosing to give it your attention.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ne.ɡli.ʒe/

US /ne.ɡli.ʒe/

In French, the stress is generally even across syllables, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'ger'.

Rhymes With

manger parler danger léger partager voyager ranger changer

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'r' (it should be silent).
Making the 'g' soft like a 'j' (it must be hard before 'l').
Pronouncing the first 'é' like the 'e' in 'pet'.
Forgetting the soft 'j' sound of the 'g' in 'ger' at the end.
Confusing the pronunciation with the English word 'negligent'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English 'neglect'.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to the -ger spelling rule in certain tenses.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward as long as the 'g' is kept hard before 'l'.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in many contexts, making it easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

oublier soigner travail santé attention

Learn Next

délaisser omettre méconnaître mépris rigueur

Advanced

impéritie désuétude laxisme désinvolture

Grammar to Know

Verbs in -ger spelling change

Nous négligeons (add 'e' before 'o').

Reflexive verbs in passé composé

Il s'est négligé (uses 'être').

Preposition 'de' before infinitive

Il a négligé de prévenir son patron.

Direct object pronouns

Il les néglige (He neglects them).

Passive voice with 'par'

Le jardin est négligé par les voisins.

Examples by Level

Il néglige ses devoirs.

He neglects his homework.

Present tense of -er verb.

Tu négliges ta chambre.

You are neglecting your room.

Direct object usage.

Elle ne néglige pas son chat.

She does not neglect her cat.

Negative form with ne...pas.

Nous ne négligeons pas le jardin.

We do not neglect the garden.

Spelling: extra 'e' in 'négligeons'.

Ils négligent les plantes.

They neglect the plants.

Third person plural conjugation.

Je néglige mon petit déjeuner.

I neglect my breakfast.

First person singular.

Ne néglige pas ton vélo !

Don't neglect your bike!

Imperative mood.

L'enfant néglige ses jouets.

The child neglects his toys.

Simple subject-verb-object.

Il s'est négligé après avoir perdu son travail.

He neglected himself after losing his job.

Reflexive passé composé with 'être'.

Elle néglige sa santé en travaillant trop.

She neglects her health by working too much.

Gerund usage (en travaillant).

Nous avons négligé de fermer la porte.

We neglected to close the door.

Négliger de + infinitive.

Tu ne devrais pas négliger tes amis.

You shouldn't neglect your friends.

Conditional mood for advice.

Le propriétaire néglige l'entretien de l'immeuble.

The owner neglects the maintenance of the building.

Noun phrase as direct object.

Pourquoi négliges-tu ton apparence ?

Why are you neglecting your appearance?

Interrogative with inversion.

Elle a négligé d'arroser les fleurs.

She neglected to water the flowers.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Il est dangereux de négliger les règles.

It is dangerous to neglect the rules.

Impersonal construction 'Il est... de'.

L'auteur a négligé certains détails historiques.

The author neglected certain historical details.

Use of 'certains' as a quantifier.

Il ne faut pas négliger l'impact de cette décision.

The impact of this decision must not be overlooked.

Impersonal 'Il ne faut pas'.

Elle se négligeait de plus en plus chaque jour.

She was neglecting herself more and more every day.

Imparfait for habitual action.

Nous ne négligerons aucune piste pour l'enquête.

We will not overlook any lead for the investigation.

Future tense.

C'est un avantage que vous ne pouvez pas négliger.

It's an advantage that you cannot ignore.

Relative clause with 'que'.

Il a négligé de mentionner son expérience passée.

He neglected to mention his past experience.

Infinitive construction.

Le rapport critique la négligence du personnel.

The report criticizes the staff's negligence.

Using the noun 'négligence'.

Bien qu'il soit riche, il néglige son confort.

Although he is rich, he neglects his comfort.

Concession with 'bien que' + subjunctive.

Le gouvernement est accusé de négliger les services publics.

The government is accused of neglecting public services.

Passive construction with 'être accusé de'.

Il a un style vestimentaire volontairement négligé.

He has a intentionally disheveled clothing style.

Adjective 'négligé' with an adverb.

On ne saurait négliger l'importance de la culture.

One cannot overlook the importance of culture.

Formal 'ne saurait' + infinitive.

Elle a négligé les avertissements de ses collègues.

She disregarded her colleagues' warnings.

Plural direct object.

Cette théorie a été longtemps négligée par les chercheurs.

This theory was neglected for a long time by researchers.

Passive voice with 'par'.

Il ne néglige aucun moyen pour parvenir à ses fins.

He spares no effort (neglects no means) to achieve his goals.

Idiomatic expression 'aucun moyen'.

La direction a négligé de consulter les employés.

Management neglected to consult the employees.

Infinitive construction.

Si tu négliges ton entraînement, tu perdras le match.

If you neglect your training, you will lose the match.

First conditional (si + present, future).

L'artiste cultive un air négligé qui cache un travail minutieux.

The artist cultivates a disheveled look that hides meticulous work.

Relative clause and contrast.

Il ne faut point négliger les nuances sémantiques de ce terme.

One must not at all overlook the semantic nuances of this term.

Formal negation 'ne...point'.

La négligence coupable de l'entreprise a mené à la catastrophe.

The company's culpable negligence led to the catastrophe.

Adjective 'coupable' modifying the noun.

Elle a négligé de prendre en compte les variables exogènes.

She neglected to take into account the exogenous variables.

Technical vocabulary 'variables exogènes'.

L'œuvre de ce poète fut injustement négligée par la critique.

The work of this poet was unjustly neglected by critics.

Passé simple 'fut' in passive voice.

Il serait imprudent de négliger une telle opportunité stratégique.

It would be unwise to overlook such a strategic opportunity.

Conditional 'serait' for hypothetical scenario.

L'histoire a tendance à négliger le rôle des minorités.

History tends to overlook the role of minorities.

Abstract subject and object.

Ne négligez pas de nous tenir informés de l'évolution de la situation.

Do not fail to keep us informed of the situation's evolution.

Formal imperative with 'de'.

L'ontologie contemporaine ne saurait négliger les apports de la phénoménologie.

Contemporary ontology cannot overlook the contributions of phenomenology.

Highly academic register.

Il a été reproché au ministre d'avoir négligé ses obligations régaliennes.

The minister was criticized for having neglected his sovereign obligations.

Infinitive passé 'd'avoir négligé'.

L'esthétique du 'non-finito' repose sur un abandon qui n'est pas une négligence.

The aesthetic of 'non-finito' rests on an abandonment that is not negligence.

Conceptual contrast between 'abandon' and 'négligence'.

Qu'il négligeât son apparence importait peu à ses yeux.

That he might neglect his appearance mattered little to her.

Subjunctive imperfect 'négligeât' after 'que'.

L'omission d'un tel fait ne peut être attribuée à une simple négligence.

The omission of such a fact cannot be attributed to simple negligence.

Passive voice with modal 'peut'.

Il ne négligea aucun des artifices de la rhétorique pour convaincre son auditoire.

He neglected none of the rhetorical artifices to convince his audience.

Passé simple 'négligea'.

La structure même du récit semble négliger la chronologie linéaire.

The very structure of the narrative seems to disregard linear chronology.

Literary analysis register.

On ne peut que déplorer qu'une telle ressource ait été ainsi négligée.

One can only deplore that such a resource has been so neglected.

Subjunctive passé 'ait été' after 'déplorer que'.

Common Collocations

négliger sa santé

négliger son travail

négliger les détails

négliger ses proches

négliger un avertissement

négliger de faire

se négliger

un aspect négligé

négliger un avantage

négliger les règles

Common Phrases

à ne pas négliger

— Something that is important and should not be overlooked or ignored.

C'est une opportunité à ne pas négliger.

négliger de + infinitif

— To fail to perform a specific action that was expected or required.

Il a négligé de m'informer de son retard.

un air négligé

— An untidy or disheveled appearance, sometimes intentional in fashion.

Il portait une chemise froissée avec un air négligé.

ne rien négliger

— To take care of every detail and leave nothing to chance.

Elle ne néglige rien pour réussir son projet.

négliger ses devoirs

— To fail to fulfill one's moral, legal, or professional obligations.

Un parent ne doit pas négliger ses devoirs envers ses enfants.

négliger le fond

— To focus on the surface appearance while ignoring the substance or core issue.

Il a soigné la forme mais a négligé le fond du problème.

négliger les conseils

— To ignore or not follow the recommendations given by someone else.

Il a négligé les conseils de son avocat.

négliger l'essentiel

— To miss the most important part of something because of distractions.

On a tendance à négliger l'essentiel dans la précipitation.

se laisser négliger

— To allow oneself to fall into a state of neglect or poor maintenance.

Elle s'est laissée négliger après sa maladie.

négliger une piste

— In an investigation, to fail to follow a potential lead or clue.

La police ne veut négliger aucune piste.

Often Confused With

négliger vs ignorer

Ignorer means 'not to know' or 'to not be aware of,' whereas négliger means 'to not take care of.'

négliger vs oublier

Oublier is a memory lapse; négliger is a failure of attention or effort.

négliger vs mépriser

Mépriser means 'to despise' or 'to look down on,' which is more active and emotional than simply neglecting.

Idioms & Expressions

"Négliger le petit pour le grand"

— To ignore small details or tasks in favor of larger, more important ones, sometimes to one's detriment.

En voulant finir le projet vite, il a négligé le petit pour le grand.

Formal

"Un style négligé recherché"

— A style that looks messy on purpose to appear cool or artistic.

Son style négligé recherché est très à la mode à Paris.

Neutral

"Ne pas négliger d'efforts"

— To work very hard and use every possible resource to achieve a goal.

Il n'a négligé aucun effort pour sauver son entreprise.

Neutral

"Une négligence coupable"

— A failure to act that is so serious it is considered a crime or a moral sin.

L'accident est dû à une négligence coupable de la part du conducteur.

Legal

"Négliger son propre jardin"

— Metaphorically, to fail to take care of one's own affairs or family while focusing on others.

Il s'occupe de tout le monde mais il néglige son propre jardin.

Literary

"Négliger les apparences"

— To not care about how one is perceived by others or how things look.

C'est un génie qui néglige totalement les apparences.

Neutral

"Laisser dans le négligé"

— To leave something in a state of disorder or lack of maintenance.

Ce dossier a été laissé dans le négligé pendant trop longtemps.

Formal

"Négliger le qu'en-dira-t-on"

— To ignore public opinion or what people might say about one's actions.

Elle vit sa vie en négligeant le qu'en-dira-t-on.

Neutral

"Une erreur à ne pas négliger"

— A mistake that is significant enough that it must be addressed.

C'est une erreur de calcul à ne pas négliger.

Neutral

"Négliger la proie pour l'ombre"

— To abandon something real and valuable for something illusory or less certain.

En quittant son emploi stable, il a négligé la proie pour l'ombre.

Literary

Easily Confused

négliger vs négligent

It is the adjective form.

Négliger is the action (verb), while négligent is the characteristic (adjective).

Il est négligent, donc il néglige son travail.

négliger vs négligeable

Sounds similar.

Négligeable means 'insignificant' or 'not worth considering.'

C'est une perte négligeable.

négliger vs négligence

It is the noun form.

Négligence is the state or the act itself, not the doing of it.

Sa négligence a causé un incendie.

négliger vs délaisser

Similar meaning.

Délaisser implies a more complete abandonment than négliger.

Il a délaissé son village natal.

négliger vs omettre

Similar meaning.

Omettre is often used for leaving something out of a list or document.

Il a omis un nom sur la liste.

Sentence Patterns

S + négliger + N

Je néglige mes devoirs.

S + se négliger

Il se néglige un peu.

S + avoir + négligé + de + V

J'ai négligé de fermer la porte.

N + être + négligé + par + N

Ce point est négligé par la presse.

Ne pas négliger de + V

Ne négligez pas de nous écrire.

Bien que + S + négligeât + N

Bien qu'il négligeât son apparence...

S + ne + négliger + aucun + N

Il ne néglige aucun détail.

S + ne + doit pas + négliger + N

On ne doit pas négliger sa famille.

Word Family

Nouns

négligence (negligence)

négligé (a type of loose garment/negligee)

négligent (a negligent person)

Verbs

se négliger (to neglect oneself)

Adjectives

négligé (untidy/neglected)

négligeable (negligible/insignificant)

négligent (negligent)

négligence médicale

négligence criminelle

style négligé

quantité négligeable

négligence affective

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both written and spoken French.

Common Mistakes

Nous négligons → Nous négligeons
You must include the 'e' to maintain the soft 'g' sound before 'o'.
Il a négligé faire ses devoirs. → Il a négligé de faire ses devoirs.
The verb 'négliger' requires the preposition 'de' before an infinitive.
Using 'ignorer' when you mean 'to neglect a plant'. → Négliger une plante.
Ignorer means to not know or to be unaware of; négliger means to fail to care for.
J'ai négligé mes clés à la maison. → J'ai oublié mes clés à la maison.
Négliger is for a lack of care, not a one-time memory lapse like forgetting keys.
Il est très négligeable. → Il est très négligent.
Négligeable means 'insignificant'; négligent means 'careless' or 'neglectful'.

Tips

The Soft G Rule

Always remember to add an 'e' after the 'g' in the 'nous' form (négligeons) and the 'imparfait' (négligeais) to keep the pronunciation soft.

Négliger vs. Oublier

Use 'oublier' for accidental memory lapses and 'négliger' for a lack of care or attention to responsibility.

Reflexive Use

Use 'se négliger' when talking about someone who has stopped taking care of their appearance or health.

Professional Contexts

In professional writing, 'négliger' is a powerful word to describe missed opportunities or failures in protocol.

Style Négligé

Be aware that 'négligé' can sometimes be a fashion statement in France, meaning 'effortlessly cool' rather than just 'messy'.

Preposition Check

When 'négliger' is followed by another verb, don't forget the 'de' (e.g., négliger de faire).

IPA Awareness

Listen for the /e/ sound at the end of 'négliger' and the /ɑ̃/ sound at the end of 'négligent' to tell them apart.

The Grapes of Neglect

Remember the story of the gardener Guy who neglected his grapes (négliger ses grappes).

Sensitivity

Be careful when accusing someone of 'négliger' their duties, as it is a strong criticism.

Passé Simple

In literature, watch for 'il négligea' or 'ils négligèrent'—the 'e' is also present in the third person singular!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'neglect' + 'ER'. It's the 'ER' version of neglect. If you 'négliger' your 'ER' (Emergency Room) duties, people get sick!

Visual Association

Imagine a 'G' (the hard 'g' in négliger) trying to hold up a heavy 'L' (like a lead weight). If the 'G' is lazy and neglects the 'L', the whole word collapses.

Word Web

négligence négligé négligeable oublier ignorer soigner attention devoir

Challenge

Try to use 'négliger' in three different tenses today: once for something you did (passé composé), once for something you usually do (présent), and once for something you shouldn't do (impératif).

Word Origin

The word 'négliger' comes from the Latin verb 'negligere', which is a combination of 'nec' (not) and 'legere' (to pick up, choose, or read).

Original meaning: The original Latin meaning was 'not to pick up' or 'not to heed,' which evolved into the modern sense of failing to take care of something.

It is part of the Romance language family, sharing roots with the Italian 'negligere' and the Spanish 'negligenciar'.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'se négliger' to describe someone else, as it can be a very personal and potentially offensive observation about their mental health or hygiene.

English speakers often use 'ignore' where a French person would use 'négliger.' In English, 'neglect' sounds very strong (like child neglect), but in French, 'négliger' can be used for smaller things like chores.

Molière's plays often feature characters who 'négligent' their family duties for silly obsessions. The term 'négligé' in fashion history refers to a 18th-century loose gown worn at home. Charles Baudelaire often wrote about the beauty of things that are 'négligées' or decaying.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Professional

négliger un dossier
négliger ses responsabilités
négliger les délais
négliger la communication

Health

négliger son régime
négliger le sommeil
négliger les symptômes
se négliger physiquement

Social

négliger ses amis
se sentir négligé
négliger sa famille
négliger la politesse

Maintenance

négliger le jardin
négliger la voiture
maison négligée
négliger les réparations

Intellectual

négliger un argument
négliger une hypothèse
négliger les sources
négliger le contexte

Conversation Starters

"Penses-tu qu'il est facile de négliger sa vie sociale à cause du travail ?"

"As-tu déjà négligé un conseil important que tu as regretté plus tard ?"

"Quels sont les détails qu'on a tendance à négliger quand on voyage ?"

"Est-ce que tu trouves que les gens se négligent plus aujourd'hui qu'avant ?"

"Comment savoir si on commence à négliger ses priorités ?"

Journal Prompts

Écris sur une période de ta vie où tu as négligé quelque chose d'important. Quelles ont été les conséquences ?

Pourquoi est-il dangereux de négliger les petits plaisirs de la vie quotidienne ?

Décris un endroit (un parc, une maison) qui a été négligé. Quel sentiment cela t'inspire-t-il ?

Réfléchis à l'équilibre entre ton travail et ta vie personnelle. Négliges-tu l'un des deux ?

Quelles sont les responsabilités citoyennes que nous avons tendance à négliger ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it can mean you are not giving them enough attention. If you 'négliger un ami,' you aren't calling or seeing them. However, if you are 'ignoring' someone sitting right in front of you, 'ignorer' or 'faire semblant de ne pas voir' is more common.

'Négliger' is used for external things or people (work, plants, friends). 'Se négliger' is reflexive and means you are not taking care of yourself (hygiene, appearance, health).

It is neutral. It is used in everyday conversation, but it is also perfectly acceptable in formal writing, legal documents, and professional reports.

It is 'nous négligeons.' You must add an 'e' after the 'g' and before the 'ons' to keep the soft 'j' sound. This is true for all verbs ending in -ger.

No, that would be 'oublier.' You use 'négliger' if you consistently fail to take care of your keys, leading to them being lost or broken, not for a one-time memory lapse.

Yes, almost always. It implies a failure or a lack of responsibility. The only exception is in fashion ('le style négligé'), where it can be a neutral or positive description of a look.

The noun form is 'la négligence.' It is used to describe the act of neglecting something, especially in legal or professional contexts.

Yes, you use the pattern 'négliger de + infinitive.' For example, 'Il a négligé de m'appeler' (He neglected to call me).

Yes! A 'négligé' in French refers to a loose, casual garment. The English word 'negligee' comes from this French past participle, meaning 'neglected' or 'casual' attire.

Common synonyms include 'délaisser' (to abandon), 'omettre' (to omit), 'ignorer' (to ignore), and 'méconnaître' (to fail to recognize).