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B1 verb 11 min de leitura

accorder

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas accorder em 30 segundos

Explicação accorder in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'accorder' is a word you might encounter but rarely use yourself. You might see it in simple instructions like 'accordez les adjectifs' (make the adjectives agree) in your French workbook. At this stage, you should focus on its most basic meaning: giving something special, like time or a favor. It is like a 'fancy' version of 'donner' (to give). You might hear a teacher say 'Accordez-moi votre attention' (Give me your attention). Don't worry about the complex grammar rules yet; just remember it means to give or to match. Think of it as related to the word 'accord' in English, which means an agreement. If you give someone your time, you are in 'accord' with their request. It is a regular -er verb, so it follows the same conjugation pattern as 'parler' or 'habiter.' For example: 'J'accorde,' 'Tu accordes,' 'Il accorde.' Even at A1, knowing this word helps you understand formal signs or polite requests in a classroom or office setting.

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At the A2 level, you start to see 'accorder' in more varied contexts. You will learn that it is the standard verb for 'tuning' a musical instrument. If you play the guitar or piano, you 'accordez' your instrument. You also begin to use it in the reflexive form 's'accorder' to talk about things that go well together, like food or clothes. For example, 'Le rouge s'accorde avec le noir' (Red matches with black). This is a great way to expand your descriptions of people and environments. You will also use it more frequently in the context of grammar exercises, as A2 is when you learn more about adjective and subject-verb agreement. In a professional context, you might understand sentences like 'Le patron accorde une pause' (The boss grants a break). The key at A2 is to start distinguishing between 'donner' (for physical things) and 'accorder' (for abstract things like permission or time).

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'accorder' actively and correctly in its most common structures. You should be comfortable with the pattern 'accorder quelque chose à quelqu'un.' This is the level where you use it to talk about professional negotiations, granting favors, or giving credit to someone's ideas ('accorder du crédit à'). You will also encounter the word in more complex grammar rules, specifically the 'accord du participe passé.' You should understand that 'accorder' means to make words match in gender and number. In conversation, you can use 'Je vous l'accorde' to mean 'I'll grant you that' or 'I agree with that point' during a discussion. This shows a higher level of fluency and the ability to handle nuances in an argument. You also start to use 's'accorder sur' to describe people reaching a consensus. For example, 'Nous nous sommes accordés sur le projet' (We agreed on the project).

At the B2 level, 'accorder' becomes a tool for formal writing and sophisticated debate. You will use it in administrative contexts, such as 'accorder une subvention' (to grant a subsidy) or 'accorder l'asile' (to grant asylum). You should be aware of its nuances compared to 'octroyer' (very formal) or 'concéder' (to concede reluctantly). Your understanding of the 'accord' in grammar must be precise, including the difficult rules for reflexive verbs. In literature or high-level journalism, you will see 'accorder' used to mean 'to bestow' or 'to reconcile' (e.g., 'accorder ses principes avec ses actes'—to reconcile one's principles with one's actions). You should also be familiar with idiomatic expressions like 'accorder ses violons' (to get on the same page). At this level, you don't just know the word; you know the social and professional weight it carries when you choose it over a simpler verb.

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At the C1 level, you use 'accorder' with stylistic flair and absolute grammatical precision. You understand its role in legal and philosophical texts, where 'accorder' can mean to harmonize conflicting ideas or to grant fundamental rights. You are proficient in using the passive voice ('une attention particulière doit être accordée à...') to create an objective, academic tone. You can discuss the 'accords' in music theory or the historical 'accords' (treaties) between nations. Your use of 's'accorder' can describe complex relationships between variables in a scientific context or the aesthetic harmony in a critique of art. You also recognize the subtle irony when someone 's'accorde' a privilege they don't deserve. At C1, you are sensitive to the rhythm and 'registre' that 'accorder' brings to a sentence, often using it to elevate the level of your discourse in professional or academic settings.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'accorder' in all its forms, including its rarest and most literary uses. You can use it to describe the 'accord' (tuning) of a whole society or a complex philosophical system. You are comfortable with the most obscure rules of past participle agreement involving 'accorder' and reflexive pronouns. You can use the verb to express subtle concessions in a high-stakes negotiation or a complex legal brief. You might use it in a poetic sense to describe how the elements of nature 's'accordent' (harmonize). You are also familiar with the etymological roots (from the Latin 'ad' + 'cor' - to the heart) and how this history informs its modern meanings of harmony and granting. At this level, 'accorder' is not just a verb; it is a versatile instrument that you play with precision to achieve exactly the right tone and meaning in any possible context.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

accorder em 30 segundos

Accorder primarily means 'to grant' or 'to give' in formal or specific contexts, such as granting permission, a loan, or a favor.
It is the technical term for tuning musical instruments like guitars or pianos to ensure they produce the correct, harmonious sounds.
In French grammar, it refers to making adjectives, nouns, and verbs agree in gender and number, a fundamental skill for all learners.
Reflexively (s'accorder), it means to match aesthetically, to agree with someone, or to reach a consensus on a specific topic or plan.

The French verb accorder is a multifaceted linguistic tool that primarily translates to "to grant," "to give," or "to bestow" in English. However, its utility extends far beyond simple giving. At its core, the word implies a sense of formal or intentional distribution of something—be it time, permission, or a specific right. In the context of daily French life, you will encounter this word in professional settings, musical environments, and even within the complex rules of French grammar. It suggests a level of authority or decision-making; one does not simply 'give' (donner) a permit, one 'grants' (accorde) it. This distinction is crucial for learners reaching the B1 level, as it signals a transition from basic vocabulary to more nuanced, precise expression.

Granting Permission or Rights: This is the most common usage in administrative and professional contexts. When a manager gives an employee a day off, or when a government provides a visa, the verb used is accorder. It implies that the recipient requested something and the authority figure fulfilled that request after consideration. For example, 'Le directeur lui a accordé une promotion' (The director granted him a promotion) sounds more official and earned than using 'donner.'
Musical Tuning: In the world of art and sound, accorder means to tune an instrument. To 'accorder un piano' or 'accorder une guitare' is to bring the strings into harmony. This usage metaphorically links back to the idea of 'agreement' or 'harmony' which is the root of the word. If the notes are not 'in accord,' the music is dissonant.
Grammatical Agreement: For students of French, l'accord is a daily struggle. The verb accorder is used to describe the process of making adjectives agree with nouns in gender and number, or making past participles agree with their subjects or objects. 'Il faut accorder l'adjectif avec le nom' means you must make the adjective agree with the noun.

Le juge a décidé d' accorder la garde partagée aux deux parents, estimant que c'était dans l'intérêt supérieur de l'enfant.
— A common legal context for the word.

Furthermore, the reflexive form s'accorder is frequently used to mean 'to agree with each other' or 'to match.' If two people's opinions align, they s'accordent on a subject. If your tie matches your shirt, the colors s'accordent perfectly. This reflexive use is essential for describing harmony in both social and aesthetic contexts. In a professional meeting, you might hear, 'Nous devons nous accorder sur la stratégie à suivre,' meaning 'We must agree on the strategy to follow.' This implies a process of negotiation leading to a unified stance.

When using accorder, remember that it often requires an indirect object (the person receiving) and a direct object (the thing granted). The structure is accorder [quelque chose] à [quelqu'un]. This prepositional 'à' is vital. If you forget it, the sentence structure collapses. For instance, 'J'accorde mon temps à ce projet' (I give my time to this project). The verb elevates the action of giving from a simple transaction to a deliberate allocation of resources, whether those resources are physical, temporal, or emotional.

Mastering the syntax of accorder requires understanding its three primary roles: the transitive use (granting), the technical use (tuning/grammar), and the reflexive use (agreeing/matching). Each role has specific requirements for objects and prepositions that a B1 learner must navigate carefully to sound natural.

Transitive Usage: Accorder [Object] à [Person]: When you are granting something, the thing being granted is the direct object, and the recipient is the indirect object.
Example: La banque a accordé un prêt à Marie. (The bank granted a loan to Marie). Note how 'un prêt' follows the verb directly, while 'Marie' is introduced by 'à'.
The Reflexive Form: S'accorder avec/sur: When people agree or things match, we use s'accorder.
- S'accorder sur: To agree on a topic. Ils s'accordent sur le prix.
- S'accorder avec: To match or harmonize with. Le vin s'accorde bien avec le fromage.

Veuillez m' accorder quelques minutes de votre temps pour discuter de cette affaire urgente.

In the imperative mood (giving commands or making polite requests), accorder is very common in formal letters or professional speech. Using 'Accordez-moi' is a sophisticated way to ask for attention or permission. It is significantly more formal than 'Donnez-moi.' In legal or academic writing, you will often see it in the passive voice: 'Une dérogation a été accordée' (An exemption was granted), which emphasizes the action over the person who granted it.

When discussing music, the verb is used directly: 'Le musicien accorde son violon' (The musician tunes his violin). In a metaphorical sense, 'accorder ses violons' means 'to get one's stories straight' or 'to coordinate with others.' This is a common idiom in business meetings where a team needs to present a united front. Understanding these varied structures allows a speaker to move fluidly between literal, technical, and idiomatic French.

The word accorder is ubiquitous in French society, but its frequency varies depending on the 'milieu' or social environment. It is not a word you would typically hear in a casual playground setting among children, but it is a staple of the professional, legal, and artistic worlds. Understanding these contexts helps you recognize the 'register' of the conversation.

The Corporate and Administrative World: If you work in France, you will hear accorder constantly regarding benefits, schedules, and budgets. A boss might say, 'Je ne peux pas vous accorder cette augmentation cette année' (I cannot grant you this raise this year). In administrative offices (the Préfecture, for example), officials 'accordent des titres de séjour' (grant residency permits). It carries the weight of officialdom.
In the Media and News: Journalists frequently use the phrase 'accorder une interview' (to grant an interview). You will hear: 'Le Président a accordé un entretien exclusif à TF1.' This phrasing implies that the interview is a privilege or a special allowance of time by a busy or important person.

« Il est essentiel d' accorder une attention particulière aux détails du contrat avant de le signer. »

In the culinary world, particularly in fine dining, the word is used for 'accords mets et vins' (food and wine pairings). A sommelier will explain how the acidity of a white wine s'accorde with the creaminess of a sauce. Here, the word moves away from 'granting' and toward 'harmonizing.' If you watch French cooking shows like 'Top Chef,' you will hear the judges discuss whether the flavors are 'bien accordées.'

Finally, in the education system, teachers use the word when discussing grammar. Students are constantly reminded to accorder le participe passé. This makes the word part of the fundamental academic vocabulary of every French-speaking child. Therefore, even though it feels formal, it is a word that every native speaker is intimately familiar with from a young age. When you hear it, you are entering a space of precision, whether that is the precision of a tuned violin, a balanced legal decision, or a correctly conjugated sentence.

While accorder is a regular '-er' verb, its complexity lies in its prepositions and its similarity to other words. Learners often stumble on the 'à' preposition or confuse the verb with the noun/adverb forms related to 'agreement.'

Mistake 1: Omitting the Preposition 'à': English speakers often say 'I grant him the right,' which translates literally to 'J'accorde lui le droit.' This is incorrect. In French, you must use 'à' before the recipient: 'J'accorde le droit à cet homme' or 'Je lui accorde le droit' (where 'lui' is the indirect object pronoun).
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Accorder' with 'Être d'accord': To say 'I agree,' many beginners say 'J'accorde.' This is wrong. 'I agree' is 'Je suis d'accord.' The verb accorder means 'to grant' or 'to tune.' You can only use the verb for 'agreeing' in the reflexive form s'accorder, and even then, it usually means 'to come to an agreement' or 'to match,' not just a simple 'yes.'

Incorrect: Je m'accorde avec toi. (When you simply mean 'I agree with you')
Correct: Je suis d'accord avec toi.

Another frequent error involves the accord du participe passé. Because accorder is a verb that often takes an indirect object, learners get confused about when to add an 'e' or 's' to the past participle. Remember: accordé only agrees with the direct object if it is placed before the verb. It never agrees with the indirect object (the person receiving the favor).

Finally, watch out for the reflexive s'accorder when used with a plural subject. 'Ils se sont accordé un moment de répit' (They granted themselves a moment of rest). In this specific case, 'accordé' remains masculine singular because 'un moment' is the direct object and it follows the verb, while 'se' is the indirect object. This is a high-level grammar point that even native speakers often miss!

French is a language rich in synonyms, and accorder has several close relatives, each with its own specific flavor. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the nature of what is being given.

Accorder vs. Donner: Donner is the generic 'to give.' It is used for physical objects (donner un livre) or casual actions. Accorder is used for abstract things like permission, time, or credit. You 'donner' a gift, but you 'accorder' a favor.
Accorder vs. Octroyer: Octroyer is even more formal than accorder. It is almost exclusively used for authorities granting privileges or rights (e.g., the King octroyed a charter). In modern French, it can sound a bit heavy or pompous unless used in legal contexts.
Accorder vs. Concéder: Concéder (to concede) implies that the giver is doing so reluctantly or as a result of an argument. If you 'accorder' a point, you are simply acknowledging it. If you 'concéder' a point, you are admitting the other person is right even though you didn't want to.

« L'entreprise a attribué une prime à tous les employés, mais c'est le directeur qui a accordé les congés exceptionnels. »

Another alternative is attribuer (to attribute or assign). This is used when something is given as part of a distribution process, like a prize, a task, or a seat. 'Attribuer un prix' is common in competitions. Accorder, by contrast, feels more like a personal or singular decision made by an individual or a committee in response to a request.

In summary, use accorder when you want to sound professional, deliberate, and precise. It bridges the gap between the mundane 'donner' and the overly formal 'octroyer,' making it one of the most useful verbs for a B1 learner to integrate into their active vocabulary. Whether you are tuning a guitar, granting a favor, or making an adjective agree, you are bringing things into a state of 'accord'—the fundamental essence of this beautiful French verb.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word is a 'cousin' to 'cordial' and 'courage,' all of which relate to the heart as the center of emotion and agreement in ancient times.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /a.kɔʁ.de/

US /ə.kɔr.deɪ/

Stress is typically placed on the final syllable 'de'.

Rima com

parler manger donner aimer chanter marcher jouer penser

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the final 'r' (it is silent in the infinitive).
Using a closed 'o' instead of the open 'ɔ' sound.
Failing to make the 'a' sound crisp and short.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Common in news and books, but requires context to know which meaning is used.

Escrita 4/5

Difficult due to the 'accord du participe passé' rules.

Expressão oral 3/5

Easy to conjugate, but requires remembering the 'à' preposition.

Audição 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to pick out in a sentence.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

donner accord musique règle avec

Aprenda a seguir

octroyer concéder attribuer subvention dérogation

Avançado

parcimonie prrogative consonance dissonance concordat

Gramática essencial

Accord du participe passé avec 'avoir'

Les fleurs qu'il a accordées (agreement with 'fleurs' which is before).

Accord des verbes pronominaux

Ils se sont accordé (no agreement because 'se' is indirect object).

Adjective Agreement

Une petite (f) fille (f) - l'adjectif s'accorde avec le nom.

Indirect Object Pronouns

Je lui accorde ma confiance (lui = to him/her).

Imperative Mood

Accordez-nous votre attention, s'il vous plaît.

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Exemplos por nível

Le professeur accorde cinq minutes de pause.

The teacher grants a five-minute break.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Accordez l'adjectif avec le nom.

Make the adjective agree with the noun.

Imperative mood (command).

Il accorde sa guitare avant le cours.

He tunes his guitar before the lesson.

The verb means 'to tune' here.

Elle m'accorde un peu de temps.

She gives/grants me a little time.

Direct object: un peu de temps. Indirect: m'.

Nous accordons une remise aux clients.

We grant a discount to customers.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Est-ce que tu accordes ta basse ?

Are you tuning your bass?

Interrogative form.

Le ciel s'accorde avec la mer.

The sky matches the sea.

Reflexive use meaning 'to match'.

Vous accordez trop d'importance à cela.

You give too much importance to that.

Common expression with 'importance'.

Ma mère m'a accordé la permission de sortir.

My mother granted me permission to go out.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Les couleurs de ta chambre s'accordent bien.

The colors of your room match well.

Reflexive plural 's'accordent'.

Le musicien doit accorder son piano chaque année.

The musician must tune his piano every year.

Infinitive after the modal verb 'doit'.

Elle n'accorde pas de crédit à ces rumeurs.

She doesn't give any credit to these rumors.

Negative form with 'ne...pas'.

Le directeur accorde un entretien à la presse.

The director grants an interview to the press.

Formal context.

Nous nous accordons pour dire que c'est difficile.

We agree (with each other) to say it's difficult.

Reflexive 'nous nous accordons'.

Il faut accorder les participes passés avec 'être'.

You must make past participles agree with 'être'.

Grammatical term 'accorder'.

Peux-tu m'accorder une faveur ?

Can you grant me a favor?

Polite request using the infinitive.

La banque a enfin accordé le prêt immobilier.

The bank finally granted the mortgage loan.

Formal administrative use.

Je vous accorde que la situation est complexe.

I grant you that the situation is complex.

Idiomatic use to concede a point.

Les deux parties s'accordent sur les termes du contrat.

Both parties agree on the terms of the contract.

Reflexive 's'accorder sur'.

Il accorde une grande valeur à l'amitié.

He places/grants great value on friendship.

Abstract direct object 'une grande valeur'.

Cette robe s'accorde parfaitement avec tes chaussures.

This dress matches your shoes perfectly.

Reflexive use for aesthetics.

L'université lui a accordé une bourse d'études.

The university granted him/her a scholarship.

Institutional granting.

Ils ont dû accorder leurs violons avant la réunion.

They had to get their stories straight before the meeting.

Idiom: 'accorder ses violons'.

La mairie a accordé l'autorisation de construire.

The town hall granted the building permit.

Official administrative action.

Le gouvernement a accordé l'amnistie aux prisonniers.

The government granted amnesty to the prisoners.

Legal/Political context.

Il est crucial d'accorder nos actes à nos paroles.

It is crucial to align our actions with our words.

Abstract metaphorical use.

Le juge a accordé des dommages et intérêts à la victime.

The judge awarded/granted damages to the victim.

Legal terminology.

Cette mesure s'accorde avec notre politique actuelle.

This measure aligns with our current policy.

Reflexive 's'accorde avec' in professional context.

Elle s'est accordé un moment de réflexion.

She granted herself a moment of reflection.

Reflexive, past participle does not agree with 'se'.

L'auteur accorde une place centrale à la nature dans son livre.

The author gives a central place to nature in his book.

Literary analysis context.

On lui a accordé le bénéfice du doute.

They gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Common expression.

Le piano n'a pas été accordé depuis dix ans.

The piano hasn't been tuned for ten years.

Passive voice.

L'histoire ne lui a pas accordé la reconnaissance qu'il méritait.

History did not grant him the recognition he deserved.

Abstract personification of 'history'.

Il faut savoir s'accorder des moments de répit dans ce monde agité.

One must know how to grant oneself moments of respite in this hectic world.

Reflexive infinitive with 'se'.

Les conclusions de l'étude s'accordent avec les théories précédentes.

The study's conclusions align with previous theories.

Scientific/Academic register.

Le souverain a accordé sa grâce au condamné.

The sovereign granted his pardon to the condemned.

High formal/Historical register.

Elle accorde ses faveurs avec une grande parcimonie.

She grants her favors with great parsimony (sparingly).

Literary/Advanced vocabulary.

Le traité accorde des droits de pêche exclusifs.

The treaty grants exclusive fishing rights.

Geopolitical context.

Il est difficile d'accorder deux points de vue si divergents.

It is difficult to reconcile two such divergent points of view.

Meaning 'to reconcile'.

Le directeur s'est accordé le droit de veto.

The director granted himself the right of veto.

Reflexive with a specific power.

L'harmonie universelle suppose que chaque être s'accorde au Tout.

Universal harmony supposes that every being harmonizes with the Whole.

Philosophical/Metaphysical context.

Il convient d'accorder une vigilance accrue aux dérives autoritaires.

It is appropriate to give increased vigilance to authoritarian drifts.

Formal political commentary.

L'esthétique de ce film s'accorde admirablement à son propos tragique.

The aesthetics of this film match its tragic subject matter admirably.

Advanced artistic critique.

Le destin ne lui a accordé aucun répit jusqu'à son dernier souffle.

Fate granted him no respite until his last breath.

Poetic/Literary personification.

Les thèses en présence s'accordent sur le constat, mais non sur le remède.

The present theses agree on the observation, but not on the remedy.

Formal academic debate.

Elle a su accorder les exigences de sa carrière avec sa vie de famille.

She knew how to reconcile the demands of her career with her family life.

Nuance of 'reconciling' competing needs.

Le privilège accordé jadis a été révoqué par le nouveau décret.

The privilege granted formerly was revoked by the new decree.

Historical/Legal register.

S'accorder sur l'essentiel permet de transcender les détails triviaux.

Agreeing on the essentials allows for transcending trivial details.

Abstract philosophical statement.

Sinônimos

Octroyer Attribuer Concéder Donner Harmoniser Allouer Délivrer Ajuster

Antônimos

Refuser Désaccorder Retirer Contredire

Colocações comuns

Accorder une importance

Accorder un prêt

Accorder sa confiance

Accorder un délai

Accorder une interview

Accorder l'autorisation

S'accorder un moment

Accorder un instrument

Accorder le participe passé

Accorder ses violons

Frases Comuns

Je vous l'accorde.

— A phrase used to admit that the other person has a valid point in an argument.

C'est cher, je vous l'accorde, mais c'est de la qualité.

Accorder le bénéfice du doute.

— To give someone the benefit of the doubt when you aren't sure of the truth.

Je ne suis pas convaincu, mais je lui accorde le bénéfice du doute.

S'accorder sur l'essentiel.

— To agree on the most important points, even if details are still debated.

Malgré nos différences, nous nous accordons sur l'essentiel.

Accorder une remise.

— To give a discount to a customer.

Le vendeur a accepté de nous accorder une remise de 10%.

Accorder sa grâce.

— A formal way to say a leader pardons a criminal.

Le Président peut accorder sa grâce à un condamné.

Accorder du crédit à.

— To believe or trust what someone says or a theory.

N'accorde aucun crédit à ce qu'il raconte.

Accorder une attention particulière.

— To pay close or special attention to something.

Accorde une attention particulière à la ponctuation.

Accorder un privilège.

— To give someone a special right or advantage.

C'est un privilège qu'on ne m'a jamais accordé.

Accorder une audience.

— To grant a formal meeting or hearing.

Le ministre a accordé une audience aux syndicats.

S'accorder avec le décor.

— To blend in or match with the surroundings.

Ce meuble s'accorde mal avec le décor moderne.

Frequentemente confundido com

accorder vs D'accord

This is an adverbial phrase meaning 'OK' or 'in agreement', not the verb itself.

accorder vs Afforder

This word does not exist in French. Use 'avoir les moyens' for English 'afford'.

accorder vs Raccorder

This means to connect physically (pipes, wires), not to grant or tune.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Accorder ses violons"

— To get one's stories straight or to coordinate with others before acting.

Avant la réunion, les deux ministres ont accordé leurs violons.

Informal/Neutral

"Accorder ses flûtes"

— A variation of 'accorder ses violons', meaning to agree or harmonize.

Ils ont du mal à accorder leurs flûtes sur ce projet.

Informal

"Ne pas accorder un regard"

— To completely ignore someone, not even looking at them.

Elle était si fâchée qu'elle ne lui a pas accordé un regard.

Neutral

"S'accorder le beau rôle"

— To act in a way that makes oneself look good or heroic in a situation.

Il s'accorde le beau rôle alors qu'il n'a rien fait.

Neutral

"Accorder ses actes à ses paroles"

— To practice what one preaches; to ensure behavior matches statements.

Un bon leader doit accorder ses actes à ses paroles.

Formal

"Accorder ses faveurs"

— Often used euphemistically to refer to romantic or sexual interest, or simply granting help.

La fortune lui a accordé ses faveurs cette année.

Literary

"D'un commun accord"

— By mutual agreement; when everyone involved agrees.

Ils se sont séparés d'un commun accord.

Formal/Neutral

"Accorder une oreille attentive"

— To listen carefully and sympathetically to someone.

Elle a accordé une oreille attentive à mes problèmes.

Neutral

"Accorder sa lyre"

— An old-fashioned, poetic way to say one is preparing to write or speak beautifully.

Le poète accorde sa lyre pour célébrer le printemps.

Literary

"Ne pas s'accorder avec soi-même"

— To be inconsistent or contradictory in one's own thoughts or actions.

Il ne s'accorde pas avec lui-même d'un jour à l'autre.

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

accorder vs Raccorder

Similar spelling and sound.

Raccorder is for physical connections like plumbing or electricity. Accorder is for granting or tuning.

Le plombier doit raccorder les tuyaux.

accorder vs Concéder

Both involve giving something.

Concéder implies giving in during an argument. Accorder is a more neutral or positive granting.

Il a concédé la défaite.

accorder vs Octroyer

Synonyms for 'grant'.

Octroyer is much more formal and usually involves a higher authority (state, king).

Le roi a octroyé des terres.

accorder vs Assortir

Both mean to match.

Assortir is specifically for coordinating sets of things (clothes, furniture). S'accorder is for general harmony.

Elle a assorti son sac à ses chaussures.

accorder vs Ajuster

Both can mean 'to tune' in some contexts.

Ajuster is 'to adjust' or 'to fit'. Accorder is the specific musical term for tuning to a pitch.

Il ajuste ses lunettes.

Padrões de frases

S + accorder + Obj

Il accorde sa guitare.

S + accorder + Obj + à + Personne

Maman accorde une pause à l'enfant.

S + se + accorder + Obj

Je m'accorde un café.

S + s'accorder + avec + Obj

La cravate s'accorde avec la chemise.

S + s'accorder + sur + Sujet

Ils s'accordent sur le plan.

Obj + [que/qui] + S + avoir + accordé(e)(s)

La faveur qu'il m'a accordée.

Il est [adj] d'accorder...

Il est essentiel d'accorder du temps à la réflexion.

Accorder [A] à [B] (Abstract)

Accorder ses actes à ses convictions.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

accord (agreement/chord)

accordage (tuning process)

accordeur (tuner - person or device)

accordailles (old word for engagement)

Verbos

réaccorder (to retune)

désaccorder (to put out of tune)

Adjetivos

accordable (tunable/grantable)

accordé (tuned/agreed)

désaccordé (out of tune)

Relacionado

cordialement

concordance

raccord

raccorder

discorde

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Como usar

frequency

High in professional, legal, and educational contexts.

Erros comuns

Je m'accorde avec toi. → Je suis d'accord avec toi.
'S'accorder' means to reach a consensus or match, whereas 'être d'accord' is the simple state of agreeing.
Le patron a accordé lui une augmentation. → Le patron lui a accordé une augmentation.
Indirect object pronouns must come before the verb in French.
J'accorde mon piano. → J'accorde mon piano.
This is actually correct, but students often try to use 'tuner' (English) which is not French.
Il n'accorde pas d'importance à moi. → Il ne m'accorde pas d'importance.
Use the indirect object pronoun 'me' instead of 'à moi' for better flow.
Elle s'est accordée une pause. → Elle s'est accordé une pause.
The direct object 'pause' is after the verb, so no agreement with 'elle'.

Dicas

Past Participle Rule

Remember: 'Elles se sont accordé un délai'. No 's' at the end of 'accordé' because the direct object 'délai' comes after the verb.

Musical Context

If you are at a concert and the musician is twisting the pegs on their instrument, they are 'en train d'accorder'.

Formal Emails

When asking for a meeting, use 'Pourriez-vous m'accorder un entretien ?' for a very professional tone.

Teamwork

Use 'accorder nos violons' when you want to tell your team they need to agree on a story before a meeting.

Silent R

The 'er' ending is pronounced 'ay'. Don't let the 'r' trip you up!

Conceding a Point

Saying 'Je vous l'accorde' makes you sound very polite and reasonable in an argument.

Etymology Link

Link 'accorder' to 'cordial'. Both come from the heart (cor). Agreement comes from the heart.

Time Management

'Accorder du temps' is the standard way to say you are dedicating time to someone or something.

Not for 'I agree'

Never say 'J'accorde' to mean 'I agree'. It always sounds like you are missing an object.

Fashion Tips

Use 's'accorder' to describe how your accessories match your outfit.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Accord' (the car) or 'Accord' (the agreement). When you 'accorder', you are bringing things into 'accord'—whether it's tuning a guitar to a perfect chord or granting a favor to stay in someone's good heart (cor).

Associação visual

Imagine a judge granting a wish while simultaneously tuning a giant violin. This links 'granting' with 'tuning.'

Word Web

Accord Guitare Permission Grammaire Harmonie Prêt Cœur Entretien

Desafio

Try to use 'accorder' in three different ways today: once for matching clothes, once for granting a favor, and once for agreeing with a friend's point.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Vulgar Latin 'accordare', which combines the prefix 'ad-' (to) and 'cor/cordis' (heart).

Significado original: Literally 'to bring to the heart' or 'to be of one heart,' implying a state of harmony or agreement.

Romance (Latin root)

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but 'accorder ses faveurs' can sometimes have a romantic connotation depending on context.

English speakers often use 'grant' or 'tune' separately, whereas French uses 'accorder' for both, which can be confusing at first.

Les Accords d'Évian (1962 treaties) La règle de l'accord du participe passé (A nightmare for all French students) L'Accord de Paris (Climate agreement)

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Banking and Finance

accorder un prêt
accorder un crédit
accorder un délai de paiement
accorder une remise

Music

accorder sa guitare
accorder le piano
un instrument bien accordé
accorder les voix

Grammar Class

accorder l'adjectif
l'accord du participe passé
accorder en genre et en nombre
faire l'accord

Job Interviews / HR

accorder une promotion
accorder des congés
accorder un entretien
accorder des avantages

Daily Conversation

Je vous l'accorde
s'accorder sur le menu
accorder de l'importance
s'accorder une pause

Iniciadores de conversa

"Quelle importance accordez-vous au télétravail dans votre vie ?"

"Est-ce que votre banque vous a facilement accordé votre prêt ?"

"Savez-vous accorder un instrument de musique, comme une guitare ?"

"Sur quels points vous accordez-vous avec vos collègues de travail ?"

"Vous accordez-vous souvent des moments de repos pendant le week-end ?"

Temas para diário

Écrivez sur une faveur que quelqu'un vous a accordée récemment et pourquoi c'était important.

Décrivez comment vous accordez vos vêtements le matin. Est-ce important pour vous ?

Réfléchissez à une opinion sur laquelle vous vous accordez avec la majorité des gens.

Imaginez que vous êtes un juge. Quelle demande accorderiez-vous aujourd'hui ?

Parlez d'un instrument que vous aimeriez apprendre à accorder et à jouer.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Not directly. You cannot say 'J'accorde'. To say 'I agree', use 'Je suis d'accord'. You can use the reflexive 'Nous nous accordons' to mean 'We are in agreement'.

Use 'accorder une guitare'. It is the standard technical term used by all musicians in France.

'Donner' is general (giving a book). 'Accorder' is specific and often formal (granting a loan, a favor, or permission).

Yes, it is the verb for making words agree (e.g., making an adjective feminine if the noun is feminine).

Yes, when you are granting something to someone. 'Accorder quelque chose à quelqu'un'.

It means 'I grant you that' or 'I admit you have a point'. It's very common in discussions.

No. To afford something financially, use 'avoir les moyens de'. To afford something in terms of 'granting an opportunity', you can use 'offrir' or 'accorder'.

Yes, it is a regular -er verb (first group), so it is easy to conjugate.

It can be a person who tunes pianos or a small electronic device used to tune a guitar.

Use 's'accorder avec'. For example: 'Le bleu s'accorde avec le gris' (Blue matches with gray).

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