This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
French
Vocabulary
résigné

B1 adjective #7,000 most common 14 min read

résigné

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips résigné in 30 Seconds

Explanation résigné in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to express feelings. The word 'résigné' might be a bit advanced, but you can understand it as a way to say someone is 'quietly sad' because they have to do something they don't like. Imagine a child who has to go to bed but doesn't want to. If the child stops crying and just walks to their room, they are 'résigné.' You can use simple sentences like 'Il est résigné' (He is resigned). At this level, focus on the fact that it is an adjective that describes a person's mood. It's like saying 'He accepts it, but he is not happy.' You might see it in very simple stories about people accepting small problems, like a rainy day. Remember to add an 'e' if you are talking about a girl: 'Elle est résignée.' This helps you practice basic gender agreement, which is a key skill at A1. Don't worry about the deep philosophical meanings yet; just think of it as a specific type of 'not-happy' acceptance.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'résigné' to describe people in more detail. You might use it when talking about your daily routine or simple work situations. For example, if your boss gives you a lot of work and you can't say no, you can say 'Je suis résigné.' You are also learning more about adjective placement and agreement. 'Un air résigné' (a resigned look) is a great phrase to add to your vocabulary. It helps you describe people's faces in your speaking exams. You can also start to compare it to other words you know, like 'triste' (sad) or 'fatigué' (tired). A person who is 'résigné' is often both sad and tired of fighting. You should also notice that 'résigné' comes from the verb 'se résigner,' which you might see in simple reflexives like 'Il se résigne à attendre.' At A2, you are building the foundation to describe more complex human reactions, and 'résigné' is a perfect 'bridge' word between basic and intermediate French.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more nuanced vocabulary like 'résigné.' You should be able to use it in discussions about social issues, work-life balance, or personal challenges. This is the level where you start to use the structure 'être résigné à' followed by a noun or an infinitive. For example, 'Il est résigné à son sort' (He is resigned to his fate) or 'Elle est résignée à travailler tard' (She is resigned to working late). You can use this word to express a sense of inevitability in your essays or oral presentations. You should also be aware of the difference between being 'résigné' and being 'd'accord' (in agreement). 'Résigné' implies that you don't really want to do it, but you have no choice. This distinction is important for expressing your true feelings in French. You might also encounter this word in news articles about people facing economic difficulties, where the tone is often one of somber acceptance. Using 'résigné' correctly shows that you can express complex emotional states beyond simple happiness or sadness.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the emotional and social implications of 'résigné.' You can use it to analyze characters in literature or films, discussing why they have become resigned to their circumstances. You should also be able to use it in more formal contexts, such as debates or academic writing. For instance, you might discuss whether a society is 'résignée' in the face of political corruption. This level requires you to understand the word's register—it's slightly more formal and literary than 'abandonner' (to give up). You can also use it in the negative to show strength: 'Il refuse d'être résigné' (He refuses to be resigned). This shows a sophisticated use of the word to describe resistance and willpower. You should also be comfortable with the reflexive verb 'se résigner' and its various tenses. At B2, you are using 'résigné' not just to describe a mood, but to describe a philosophical or social stance. It becomes a tool for deeper cultural analysis.

At the C1 level, you are exploring the deeper, more abstract meanings of 'résigné.' You can use it to discuss existential themes, such as resignation to the human condition or the passage of time. You should be able to distinguish 'résigné' from very close synonyms like 'fataliste,' 'stoïque,' or 'passif' with precision. In your writing, you might use 'résigné' to create a specific atmosphere or to describe a character's internal monologue. For example, 'Une résignation mâtinée d'amertume' (A resignation tinged with bitterness). This level of expression requires a deep understanding of how adjectives can be combined with other nouns and adverbs to create shade and nuance. You should also be aware of the historical and literary weight of the word, particularly in French classical tragedy or 19th-century realism. Using 'résigné' at this level shows a high degree of linguistic sensitivity and an ability to engage with complex psychological states. You are no longer just using a word; you are using a concept to build a sophisticated argument or narrative.

At the C2 level, you have mastered the word 'résigné' in all its complexity. You can use it with total ease in the most demanding academic or professional settings. You might use it to critique a philosophical text or to describe the subtle 'air du temps' of a particular era. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's etymology and its evolution in the French language. You can use it in highly idiomatic or metaphorical ways, perhaps in poetry or advanced creative writing. For example, you might describe a landscape as 'résigné' to evoke a sense of desolation and quiet acceptance of the elements. At this level, you can also play with the word's connotations, using it ironically or to highlight a paradox. You understand that 'résigné' can be both a sign of weakness and a sign of ultimate wisdom, depending on the context. Your ability to navigate these nuances demonstrates near-native fluency and a profound connection to the French language's expressive power. 'Résigné' becomes a versatile instrument in your linguistic repertoire, used to convey the finest shades of human experience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

résigné in 30 Seconds

An adjective describing someone who accepts an unavoidable, usually bad, situation without further struggle.
Commonly used to describe facial expressions, tones of voice, or general attitudes of quiet submission.
Requires gender and number agreement (résigné, résignée, résignés, résignées) and often uses the preposition 'à'.
Different from 'patient' or 'happy'; it implies a sense of defeat or lack of hope for change.

The French word résigné is a powerful adjective used to describe a state of mind where an individual has accepted a difficult, unpleasant, or inevitable situation without further struggle or protest. It is not merely about 'agreeing' with something; rather, it implies a certain level of submission to fate or external circumstances that one feels powerless to change. When you describe someone as résigné, you are often commenting on their facial expression, their tone of voice, or their general demeanor, which suggests they have given up the fight. This word carries a heavy emotional weight, often associated with a touch of sadness, exhaustion, or philosophical detachment. In the context of French culture, which often values debate and resistance (the famous 'esprit de contestation'), being résigné can sometimes be seen as a somber departure from the typical French tendency to argue against perceived injustices.

Emotional Nuance: It conveys a sense of quiet acceptance, often after a period of struggle or denial. It is the silence after the storm of protest.

Après avoir perdu son emploi pour la troisième fois, il marchait dans la rue d'un pas résigné.

In daily life, you might use this word to describe a student who has realized they cannot pass an exam despite their best efforts, or a commuter waiting for a train that has been delayed for the fifth time in a week. It captures that specific moment when frustration turns into a hollow, quiet acceptance. It is important to distinguish résigné from 'content' or 'satisfied.' A resigned person is not happy about the situation; they simply recognize that fighting against it is futile. This distinction is crucial for learners of French to grasp, as it helps in understanding the subtle social cues in French literature and cinema, where characters often face existential or social crises with a résigné outlook.

Grammatical Note: As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: résigné (m.s.), résignée (f.s.), résignés (m.p.), résignées (f.p.).

Elle a poussé un soupir résigné avant de recommencer son travail fastidieux.

The word also has a strong presence in philosophical and religious discussions. In Stoicism, for instance, being resigned to the laws of nature is seen as a path to peace. In a religious context, it might describe a believer who accepts God's will without question. However, in modern secular French, it more frequently describes the weary acceptance of bureaucratic hurdles, political disappointments, or the inevitable passage of time. Understanding this word allows you to describe a specific human condition that is universal yet deeply felt in the French linguistic landscape. It is a word of shadows and soft edges, describing the moment a person stops pushing against a wall and simply leans against it.

Social Context: Often used in journalism to describe populations facing long-term crises, such as economic downturns or environmental changes.

Les passagers, résignés, attendaient sur le quai sous la pluie battante.

Using résigné correctly involves paying close attention to the context of 'unavoidable hardship.' It is most frequently used as a predicative adjective (after a verb like être, sembler, or paraître) or as an attributive adjective modifying a noun related to human expression. For example, expressions like 'un air résigné' (a resigned look) or 'un ton résigné' (a resigned tone) are extremely common in French narrative prose. When you use it to describe a person, you are focusing on their internal state. For instance, 'Il est résigné à son sort' means 'He is resigned to his fate.' Here, the preposition à is essential when indicating what the person is resigned to. This structure is very similar to the English 'resigned to,' making it relatively intuitive for English speakers once the vocabulary is learned.

Prepositional Usage: Always use 'à' to connect the state of resignation to the cause: 'résigné à l'échec' (resigned to failure).

Face à l'inévitable défaite, le capitaine de l'équipe a gardé un visage résigné.

Another common usage is as a past participle in the passive voice or in reflexive constructions. The verb se résigner means 'to resign oneself.' For example, 'Elle s'est résignée à vivre seule' (She resigned herself to living alone). In this case, résignée functions as part of the compound tense. It is vital to remember the agreement rules here: if the subject is feminine, you must add an 'e'. This is a common point of error for learners. Furthermore, résigné can be used to describe inanimate objects or abstract concepts if they are personified or if they represent a human state. A 'soupir résigné' (a resigned sigh) is a classic example. The sigh itself isn't capable of feeling, but it carries the emotion of the person who exhaled it.

Agreement Table: Masculin: résigné / résignés. Féminin: résignée / résignées.

Ils semblaient totalement résignés devant l'ampleur de la tâche qui les attendait.

In formal writing, résigné often appears in descriptions of historical figures or literary characters who accept their tragic ends. In spoken French, it might be used to describe someone's reaction to a mundane annoyance. If you tell a friend, 'Il était très résigné quand je lui ai annoncé la nouvelle,' you are implying that he didn't get angry or try to change the situation; he just took it as it was. This word is excellent for adding depth to your descriptions of people's reactions. Instead of just saying someone was 'sad' (triste) or 'calm' (calme), using résigné provides a much more specific picture of their psychological state. It suggests a certain maturity or perhaps a certain weariness that 'triste' does not capture.

Common Collocations: 'Un sourire résigné' (a resigned smile), 'une moue résignée' (a resigned pout), 'un silence résigné' (a resigned silence).

Bien qu'elle soit déçue, elle a fini par accepter l'invitation d'un ton résigné.

You will encounter résigné in a wide variety of contexts in the French-speaking world, ranging from high literature to everyday news broadcasts. In literature, it is a staple of 19th-century realism and naturalism. Authors like Gustave Flaubert or Émile Zola frequently used it to describe characters trapped by their social class or personal failings. When reading a classic French novel, look for this word to understand the internal defeat of a protagonist. In news media, you will hear it during reports on social issues. For example, a journalist might describe 'une population résignée' when discussing a town that has suffered from decades of economic decline. Here, it suggests that the people have lost hope that things will ever improve and have simply learned to live with the hardship.

News & Media: Often used to describe public sentiment toward unavoidable government reforms or economic crises.

Le présentateur a décrit les visages résignés des grévistes après l'échec des négociations.

In movies and television dramas, résigné is often used in stage directions or by critics to describe an actor's performance. A 'jeu résigné' (resigned acting) would be subtle, characterized by lowered eyes and a lack of explosive emotion. In everyday conversation, the word is less frequent than 'triste' or 'fatigué,' but it is used when someone wants to be precise about a lack of resistance. You might hear someone say, 'Je suis résigné, je sais que je ne gagnerai pas ce procès.' This indicates a clear-eyed, albeit sad, realization of the facts. It is also common in the workplace. When a project is cancelled or a promotion is denied, a colleague might describe another's reaction as résigné to indicate they didn't make a scene.

Political Discourse: Politicians often urge citizens 'ne pas être résignés' (not to be resigned) to encourage social or economic change.

'Nous ne devons pas être résignés face au changement climatique', a déclaré la ministre.

Finally, you will find this word in psychological and self-help contexts. It is used to describe 'l'impuissance apprise' (learned helplessness), where an individual becomes résigné because they feel their actions have no impact on their environment. Understanding this word gives you a window into how French speakers discuss mental states and social attitudes. Whether it's the quiet acceptance of an elderly person or the cynical resignation of a burnt-out employee, résigné captures a specific slice of the human experience that is both common and poignant. Pay attention to the way it is pronounced—the 'é' at the end is sharp and clear, giving the word a definitive, almost final sound that mirrors its meaning.

Psychology: Used to analyze the behavior of individuals who have stopped trying to avoid negative stimuli.

L'enfant restait résigné dans son coin, ne demandant plus rien à personne.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with résigné is a linguistic 'false friend' confusion with the English word 're-signed' (as in signing a contract again). In French, 'to re-sign' a contract would be resigner (without the accent on the 'e') or more commonly signer à nouveau. The accent in résigné is vital; it changes the meaning entirely from a business action to an emotional state. Another common error involves gender and number agreement. Because the word often ends in an 'é' sound, learners sometimes forget to add the 'e' or 's' in writing, even though the pronunciation might remain the same. For example, 'Elle est résigné' is a glaring grammatical error; it must be 'Elle est résignée.'

Spelling Trap: Do not confuse 'résigné' (accepting) with 'resigner' (to sign again, though rare). Always check for the accent acute (é).

Faux pas: *Elle est résigné.* Correction: Elle est résignée.

Another mistake is using résigné when you actually mean 'resigned' in the sense of 'quitting a job.' In French, if you quit your job, you use the verb démissionner. You would never say 'Je suis résigné de mon poste' to mean you quit. You might be résigné *about* having to quit, but the act of quitting itself is la démission. This is a classic point of confusion for English speakers because 'resigned' covers both the emotional state and the professional action in English. In French, these concepts are strictly separated. Additionally, some learners use résigné as a synonym for 'patient.' While both involve waiting, résigné implies a lack of hope or a submission to something negative, whereas 'patient' is a more neutral or even positive trait.

Nuance Check: Don't use 'résigné' for simple agreement. It must involve an element of 'undesirable' circumstances.

Incorrect: Je suis résigné à aller au cinéma (if you want to go). Correct: Je suis d'accord pour aller au cinéma.

Lastly, be careful with the intensity of the word. Résigné is a fairly strong word. If you are just 'okay' with a minor change in plans, saying you are résigné might sound overly dramatic or even passive-aggressive to a native speaker. Use it for situations that truly warrant a sense of surrender. For instance, if a restaurant is out of your favorite dish and you choose something else, you are 'accommodant' or you 'faites un autre choix,' but you aren't necessarily résigné unless the lack of that dish feels like a personal tragedy. Understanding the 'weight' of French adjectives is a key part of reaching B2 or C1 fluency, and résigné is a perfect example of a word that requires careful contextual handling.

Register Warning: Using this word for trivial matters can make you sound like a character in a tragedy. Use it sparingly in casual conversation.

Il a accepté le retard du bus d'un air résigné, comme si le monde entier était contre lui.

To truly master the concept of resignation in French, it is helpful to compare résigné with its synonyms and related terms. A very close synonym is fataliste. While résigné describes the emotional state of acceptance, fataliste refers to the belief system that everything is predetermined by fate. If you are fataliste, you are likely to be résigné, but the two are not identical. Another alternative is stoïque (stoic). However, stoïque implies a certain strength and dignity in the face of suffering, whereas résigné can sometimes imply a more passive or even defeated stance. A stoic person controls their emotions; a resigned person has simply stopped fighting them.

résigné vs. fataliste: 'Résigné' is the feeling; 'fataliste' is the philosophy behind the feeling.
résigné vs. stoïque: 'Stoïque' implies bravery and endurance; 'résigné' implies surrender and acceptance.

Il est resté stoïque pendant l'opération, mais il semblait résigné quant à sa guérison.

You might also consider soumis (submissive) or docile. These words describe a person who obeys others without question. While a résigné person is submissive to circumstances, a soumis person is submissive to another person's will. Another interesting alternative is passif (passive). A passive person doesn't take action, but they might not have the same conscious acceptance of the situation that a resigned person has. Finally, the phrase faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur (to put a brave face on it) is a common idiomatic way to describe the act of becoming resigned in a slightly more positive, proactive way. It suggests that since you can't change the 'bad fortune,' you might as well have a 'good heart' about it.

résigné vs. passif: 'Passif' is a lack of action; 'résigné' is a psychological state of acceptance.

Au lieu de se battre, il a adopté une attitude passive et s'est montré résigné.

In some contexts, the word accablé (overwhelmed/dejected) might be more appropriate if the person is crushed by the weight of their circumstances. Résigné is a bit 'calmer' than accablé. An accablé person is still feeling the pain intensely, while a résigné person has moved into a state of quietude. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the exact word that fits the emotional landscape you are trying to describe. In French, as in English, the difference between 'giving up' and 'accepting' is subtle, and having a range of synonyms at your disposal will make your French sound much more natural and expressive. Whether you choose résigné, fataliste, or stoïque, you are painting a specific picture of human resilience—or the lack thereof.

résigné vs. accablé: 'Accablé' is more emotional and heavy; 'résigné' is more settled and quiet.

Elle n'était plus accablée par le chagrin ; elle était simplement résignée.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The meaning shifted from the legal act of 'giving back' a position or right to the emotional act of 'giving up' or accepting fate in the 14th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʁe.zi.ɲe/

US /ʁe.zi.ɲe/

Stress falls on the final syllable: ré-zi-GNÉ.

Rhymes With

aimé donné pensé passé mangé cassé chanté trouvé

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'é' like the English 'y' (e.g., ray-zeen-yay).
Pronouncing the 'g' and 'n' separately (e.g., ray-zeeg-nay).
Using an English 'r' sound at the beginning.
Making the 's' sound like a 'sh'.
Applying English word stress (on the first syllable).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in literature and news, easy to recognize but requires context for nuance.

Writing 4/5

Requires careful agreement and correct use of the preposition 'à'.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of 'gn' and final 'é' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in spoken French.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

triste accepter finir sort air

Learn Next

fataliste stoïque démissionner soumission inéluctable

Advanced

l'ataraxie le déterminisme la contingence l'impuissance apprise

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

La femme est résignée; l'homme est résigné.

Prepositional Verbs (se résigner à)

Il se résigne à partir.

Linking Verbs (sembler, paraître)

Elle semble résignée.

Past Participles as Adjectives

Un homme résigné.

Reflexive Pronouns in Passé Composé

Elle s'est résignée.

Examples by Level

Il est résigné.

He is resigned.

Simple subject + verb + adjective.

Elle est résignée.

She is resigned.

Feminine agreement: add 'e'.

Ils sont résignés.

They are resigned.

Plural agreement: add 's'.

Je suis résigné à dormir.

I am resigned to sleeping.

Using 'à' with an infinitive.

Tu sembles résigné.

You seem resigned.

Using 'sembler' as a linking verb.

L'enfant est résigné.

The child is resigned.

Noun + verb + adjective.

Le chat est résigné.

The cat is resigned.

Adjective describing an animal.

Nous sommes résignés.

We are resigned.

First person plural agreement.

Il a un air résigné ce matin.

He has a resigned look this morning.

Using 'un air' + adjective.

Elle accepte son travail d'un ton résigné.

She accepts her work in a resigned tone.

Using 'd'un ton' + adjective.

Les élèves sont résignés à l'examen.

The students are resigned to the exam.

Agreement with a plural masculine noun.

Je me sens résigné face à la pluie.

I feel resigned in the face of the rain.

Using 'se sentir' + adjective.

Elle est résignée à rester à la maison.

She is resigned to staying at home.

Feminine singular agreement.

Il a donné une réponse résignée.

He gave a resigned answer.

Adjective modifying a feminine noun (réponse).

Nous restons résignés devant le retard.

We remain resigned in the face of the delay.

Using 'rester' as a linking verb.

Le vieil homme semble très résigné.

The old man seems very resigned.

Using an adverb (très) to modify the adjective.

Il s'est résigné à perdre son jardin.

He resigned himself to losing his garden.

Reflexive verb 'se résigner à'.

Elle a fini par accepter l'échec, l'âme résignée.

She finally accepted the failure, her soul resigned.

Literary use of 'l'âme' + adjective.

Les employés, bien que résignés, continuent de travailler.

The employees, although resigned, continue to work.

Using 'bien que' with an adjective.

C'est un sourire résigné qui a accueilli la nouvelle.

It was a resigned smile that greeted the news.

Adjective modifying a masculine noun (sourire).

Je ne veux pas être résigné à cette situation.

I don't want to be resigned to this situation.

Negative construction with 'être résigné'.

Elle a pris son sac d'un geste résigné.

She took her bag with a resigned gesture.

Using 'd'un geste' + adjective.

Ils sont résignés à vivre dans ce petit appartement.

They are resigned to living in this small apartment.

Plural agreement with 'être résigné à'.

Sa voix était résignée quand il a appelé.

His voice was resigned when he called.

Adjective modifying a feminine noun (voix).

Le peuple semblait résigné face aux réformes économiques.

The people seemed resigned in the face of economic reforms.

Using 'résigné' to describe a collective noun (le peuple).

Elle s'était résignée à une vie de solitude.

She had resigned herself to a life of solitude.

Past perfect of the reflexive verb 'se résigner'.

Malgré sa colère, il a fini par adopter un ton résigné.

Despite his anger, he ended up adopting a resigned tone.

Contrast between 'colère' and 'résigné'.

Les prisonniers attendaient leur sentence, calmes et résignés.

The prisoners waited for their sentence, calm and resigned.

Adjectives in a sequence (calmes et résignés).

Il ne faut pas se montrer trop résigné devant l'injustice.

One must not appear too resigned in the face of injustice.

Using 'se montrer' + adjective.

Sa démarche résignée trahissait sa tristesse profonde.

His resigned gait betrayed his deep sadness.

Adjective modifying a feminine noun (démarche).

Ils se sont résignés à vendre la maison familiale.

They resigned themselves to selling the family home.

Reflexive verb in the passé composé.

C'est une acceptation résignée de la réalité.

It is a resigned acceptance of reality.

Adjective modifying a feminine noun (acceptation).

L'œuvre dépeint une humanité résignée à son déclin.

The work depicts a humanity resigned to its decline.

Using 'résigné' in a literary/academic context.

Elle portait sur le monde un regard résigné et sans illusion.

She looked upon the world with a resigned and disillusioned gaze.

Complex noun phrase with multiple adjectives.

Il y avait dans son silence quelque chose de résigné.

There was something resigned in his silence.

Using 'quelque chose de' + masculine adjective.

Les personnages de Zola sont souvent résignés à leur condition sociale.

Zola's characters are often resigned to their social condition.

Literary reference and plural agreement.

Elle s'est résignée à ce sacrifice par pur sens du devoir.

She resigned herself to this sacrifice out of a pure sense of duty.

Reflexive verb with a complex prepositional phrase.

Son attitude résignée masquait une révolte intérieure étouffée.

His resigned attitude masked a stifled inner revolt.

Contrast between external 'résigné' and internal 'révolte'.

On ne peut que rester résigné devant la marche du temps.

One can only remain resigned before the march of time.

Philosophical use of 'on ne peut que'.

La ville, résignée sous la grisaille, semblait endormie.

The city, resigned under the grey skies, seemed asleep.

Personification of a city as 'résignée'.

Le protagoniste s'abîme dans une contemplation résignée de sa propre finitude.

The protagonist sinks into a resigned contemplation of his own finiteness.

Highly formal/philosophical vocabulary.

Cette passivité résignée est le symptôme d'un malaise civilisationnel profond.

This resigned passivity is the symptom of a deep civilizational malaise.

Abstract noun phrase with multiple modifiers.

Il ne s'agissait pas de lâcheté, mais d'une sagesse résignée.

It was not a matter of cowardice, but of a resigned wisdom.

Nuanced distinction between two concepts.

La prose de l'auteur est empreinte d'une mélancolie résignée.

The author's prose is imbued with a resigned melancholy.

Describing literary style.

Elle s'était résignée à l'idée que l'absolu lui échapperait toujours.

She had resigned herself to the idea that the absolute would always elude her.

Reflexive verb with a complex 'que' clause.

Les structures sociales imposent souvent une posture résignée aux plus démunis.

Social structures often impose a resigned posture on the most destitute.

Sociological analysis.

Face à l'inéluctable, il a fait preuve d'une grandeur résignée.

In the face of the inevitable, he showed a resigned greatness.

Using 'faire preuve de' with an abstract noun.

Le texte explore la tension entre l'élan vital et l'inertie résignée.

The text explores the tension between the vital urge and resigned inertia.

Philosophical terminology (élan vital).

Common Collocations

un air résigné

un ton résigné

être résigné à son sort

un sourire résigné

un soupir résigné

se montrer résigné

une population résignée

un silence résigné

totalement résigné

une moue résignée

Common Phrases

être résigné à

— To be resigned to something. Used to show acceptance of a specific outcome.

Je suis résigné à perdre ce match.

se résigner à l'idée

— To resign oneself to the idea. Used for mental acceptance of a fact.

Elle s'est résignée à l'idée qu'il ne reviendrait pas.

d'un pas résigné

— With a resigned step. Describes someone walking without energy or hope.

Il quitta le bureau d'un pas résigné.

d'une voix résignée

— In a resigned voice. Describes a flat or sad way of speaking.

Elle a dit 'oui' d'une voix résignée.

rester résigné

— To remain resigned. Emphasizes the duration of the state.

Il est resté résigné malgré les encouragements.

se montrer résigné

— To appear or act resigned. Focuses on the outward display.

Elle a préféré se montrer résignée plutôt que de se fâcher.

un air de résigné

— A look of a resigned person. Noun-like usage of the adjective.

Il a pris un air de résigné.

pas du tout résigné

— Not at all resigned. Used to show resistance.

Il n'est pas du tout résigné à abandonner.

sembler résigné

— To seem resigned. Expresses an observation.

Le chat semblait résigné à prendre son bain.

être loin d'être résigné

— To be far from being resigned. Stronger way to say someone is still fighting.

Elle est loin d'être résignée à son échec.

Often Confused With

résigné vs resigner (without accent)

This is a very rare word for 'signing again.' Always look for the accent in 'résigné'.

résigné vs démissionner

This is the verb for 'to quit a job,' whereas 'résigné' is an emotional state.

résigné vs patient

Patience is usually positive; resignation is usually somber or negative.

Idioms & Expressions

"Faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur"

— To make the best of a bad situation. This is the positive counterpart to being resigned.

Puisqu'il pleut, faisons contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur et restons lire.

common

"Prendre son parti de quelque chose"

— To accept something and move on. Very close to the act of becoming resigned.

Il a pris son parti de son licenciement.

neutral

"Baisser les bras"

— To give up or stop trying. This often leads to being resigned.

Ne baisse pas les bras si vite !

informal

"C'est la vie"

— That's life. A common expression of resignation to mundane problems.

Le train est encore en retard... C'est la vie.

informal

"S'y faire"

— To get used to it or to accept it. Often implies a resigned acceptance.

Le bruit est pénible, mais on finit par s'y faire.

informal

"Avaler la pilule"

— To swallow the pill. To accept something difficult or unpleasant.

Il a eu du mal à avaler la pilule de sa défaite.

informal

"Porter sa croix"

— To carry one's cross. To endure a heavy burden in a resigned way.

Chacun porte sa croix dans la vie.

literary

"Laisser pisser le mérinos"

— To let things take their course without intervening. A very informal, slightly vulgar way of being resigned.

Laisse pisser le mérinos, ça finira par passer.

slang

"Voguer au gré du vent"

— To go where the wind blows. Implies a lack of agency, similar to being resigned.

Il ne décide de rien, il vogue au gré du vent.

literary

"Rendre les armes"

— To surrender. Can be used metaphorically for emotional resignation.

Après des heures de débat, il a fini par rendre les armes.

neutral

Easily Confused

résigné vs démissionnaire

Both relate to the English word 'resigned'.

Démissionnaire means someone who has officially quit a job or position. Résigné describes someone's mood or attitude.

Le ministre démissionnaire semblait très résigné.

résigné vs fataliste

Both involve accepting things as they are.

Fataliste is about the belief that fate is in control. Résigné is about the emotional feeling of acceptance.

Il est fataliste par philosophie, donc il reste résigné face aux problèmes.

résigné vs stoïque

Both involve a lack of outward complaint.

Stoïque implies a strong, brave endurance. Résigné implies a more passive, perhaps weaker surrender.

Elle est restée stoïque pendant la douleur, mais elle est résignée à ne jamais guérir.

résigné vs passif

Both involve not taking action.

Passif is a general lack of agency. Résigné is a specific reaction to an unavoidable negative event.

Son attitude passive l'a rendu résigné à sa situation.

résigné vs soumis

Both involve giving in to something.

Soumis is usually giving in to a person or authority. Résigné is giving in to a situation or fate.

Il est soumis à son père, et résigné à son avenir.

Sentence Patterns

Sujet + être + résigné.

Il est résigné.

Sujet + avoir + un air + résigné.

Elle a un air résigné.

Sujet + être + résigné + à + nom.

Nous sommes résignés à l'échec.

Sujet + se résigner + à + infinitif.

Il se résigne à attendre.

D'un(e) [nom] + résigné(e), Sujet + verbe.

D'une voix résignée, elle a accepté.

Il y a quelque chose de + résigné + dans + nom.

Il y a quelque chose de résigné dans son regard.

Bien que + résigné(e), Sujet + verbe.

Bien que résignée, elle continue la lutte.

Nom + empreint de + résignation.

Un texte empreint d'une mélancolie résignée.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in narrative writing and formal speech; moderately common in daily life.

Common Mistakes

Using 'résigné' to mean quitting a job. → J'ai démissionné de mon travail.
In English, 'I resigned' means you quit. In French, 'Je suis résigné' means you are emotionally accepting a bad situation. Use 'démissionner' for work.
Forgetting the accent: 'resigne'. → résigné
Without the accent, it's a form of the verb 'resigner' (to sign again), which is very rare. The accent 'é' is essential for the adjective.
Saying 'Elle est résigné'. → Elle est résignée.
Adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun. Since 'elle' is feminine, you must add an 'e'.
Using 'résigné de' instead of 'résigné à'. → Il est résigné à son sort.
The correct preposition to use with 'résigné' when indicating what one is accepting is 'à'.
Pronouncing 'gn' as 'g' + 'n'. → /ʁe.zi.ɲe/
The 'gn' is one sound (like in 'champagne'). Don't say 'rez-ig-nay'.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always remember to match 'résigné' with the subject. 'Ils sont résignés' (m.p.) vs 'Elles sont résignées' (f.p.). Even though they sound the same, the spelling matters in writing!

The 'Air' Collocation

The most common way to use this word is 'un air résigné'. Use this phrase to describe someone's face when they've given up. It sounds very natural.

Don't be too dramatic

Using 'résigné' for tiny things like 'I'm resigned to eating pizza' can sound funny or overly dramatic. Use it for things that are actually a bit sad or difficult.

The 'é' Sound

Make sure the final 'é' is short and clean. Don't let it slide into a 'y' sound like in English. It should sound like the 'e' in 'pet' but with your mouth more closed.

Se Résigner à

When using the verb 'se résigner,' follow it with 'à' and then an infinitive. 'Je me résigne à attendre.' This is a very common B1/B2 structure.

News Reports

You'll often hear journalists use 'une population résignée' when talking about people who have suffered for a long time. It’s a key word for understanding social commentary.

Résigné vs. Stoïque

Use 'stoïque' if you want to praise someone's strength. Use 'résigné' if you want to describe their quiet acceptance or defeat.

Literary Flair

In your writing, use 'un soupir résigné' or 'un silence résigné' to create a somber atmosphere. These are classic literary descriptions.

The Sign of Surrender

Think of 're-signed' as 'signing over' your power to fate. You've signed the paper, and now you're resigned to the result.

Tone of Voice

When you use the word 'résigné' in a sentence, try to say it with a slightly tired tone. It helps convey the meaning better!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a king who has lost his crown; he sits **resigned** on his throne, knowing the **reign** is over. Resigned/Reign.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in the rain without an umbrella, their shoulders slumped, not running for cover but just standing there quietly.

Word Web

sort (fate) accepter (to accept) soumission (submission) calme (calm) triste (sad) inévitable (inevitable) silence (silence) fin (end)

Challenge

Try to use 'résigné' in three different sentences today: one about the weather, one about a task you don't like, and one about a character in a movie.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'resignare', which means 'to unseal' or 'to cancel'. It is composed of 're-' (back/again) and 'signare' (to sign/mark).

Original meaning: In Latin, it originally meant to cancel a document or to give something back by breaking the seal.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when describing marginalized groups as 'résignés'; it can imply they are not trying to improve their situation, which can be a sensitive political point.

English speakers often confuse 'resigned' with quitting a job. In French, remember that 'résigné' is almost always emotional, while 'démission' is professional.

The characters in 'En attendant Godot' (Waiting for Godot) by Samuel Beckett embody a form of absurd resignation. Victor Hugo's 'Les Misérables' features many characters who are résignés to their poverty. The song 'Ne me quitte pas' by Jacques Brel has moments of desperate resignation.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

Je suis résigné à faire des heures supplémentaires.
Il a accepté le refus de sa promotion d'un air résigné.
Une équipe résignée après l'échec du projet.
Se résigner à changer de poste.

In relationships

Elle est résignée à vivre seule.
Un silence résigné après la dispute.
Se résigner à la fin d'une amitié.
Il a un ton résigné quand il parle de son ex.

Travel/Transport

Les passagers sont résignés au retard du train.
Un soupir résigné devant l'embouteillage.
Se résigner à prendre le bus au lieu du taxi.
Attendre d'un air résigné sur le quai.

Health

Le patient semblait résigné à son diagnostic.
Une attitude résignée face à la maladie.
Se résigner à suivre un régime strict.
Rester résigné malgré la douleur.

Weather

Résigné à rester à l'intérieur à cause de la pluie.
Un regard résigné vers le ciel gris.
Se résigner à annuler le pique-nique.
Marcher sous la neige d'un pas résigné.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu penses qu'il est bon d'être résigné parfois ?"

"As-tu déjà eu un air résigné après avoir reçu une mauvaise nouvelle ?"

"Dans quelles situations les gens sont-ils le plus résignés dans ton pays ?"

"Préfères-tu être résigné ou continuer à te battre contre l'inévitable ?"

"Connais-tu un personnage de film qui est très résigné ?"

Journal Prompts

Décris une situation où tu t'es senti totalement résigné à ton sort. Qu'est-ce qui a changé dans ta tête ?

Écris sur la différence entre être patient et être résigné. Est-ce que l'un est meilleur que l'autre ?

Imagine la vie d'une personne qui refuse d'être résignée, même quand tout va mal.

Analyse un moment de l'histoire où une population semblait résignée. Quelles en ont été les conséquences ?

Comment la résignation peut-elle être une forme de sagesse ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, yes. It implies that the situation being accepted is undesirable. However, in some philosophical contexts, it can be seen as a form of wisdom or peace, though 'stoïque' is usually used for the positive version.

It is a palatal sound, similar to the 'ny' in the English word 'onion' or the 'ñ' in Spanish. You don't pronounce the 'g' and 'n' separately.

No. In French, you would use 'démissionner' for the act of quitting and 'démissionnaire' for the person who has quit. 'Résigné' only describes the feeling of having given up.

The feminine form is 'résignée'. It is pronounced exactly the same as the masculine form, but the extra 'e' is required in writing.

It is quite common, especially when describing someone's 'air' (look) or 'ton' (tone). It's a standard B1-level word that native speakers use frequently.

The adverb form 'résignément' exists but is very rare. Instead, French speakers almost always say 'avec résignation' or 'd'un air résigné'.

Common opposites include 'révolté' (revolted), 'combatif' (combative), or 'insoumis' (unsubmissive/rebellious).

Yes, both come from the Latin 'signare' (to mark/sign). 'Résigné' originally meant to 'un-sign' or cancel a seal.

Usually, the preposition is 'à'. For example, 'résigné à l'échec'. Using 'de' is much less common and usually incorrect in this context.

It uses 'être' as an auxiliary because it is reflexive. For example: 'Elle s'est résignée à partir' (She resigned herself to leaving).