At the A1 level, 'défrayer' is quite advanced. You don't need to use it yourself yet. However, you might see it in very simple contexts like a travel brochure or a basic job ad. Think of it simply as 'to pay for'. If you see 'On défraye votre voyage', it means 'We pay for your trip'. It's important to recognize that it's about money and costs. You can focus on simpler verbs like 'payer' (to pay) or 'donner' (to give) for now. Don't worry about the spelling variations or the figurative meanings. Just remember: Défrayer = Money for costs. It's a professional way to talk about paying someone back for things they bought for a job or a specific activity. Imagine you are at a hotel and they say they will 'défrayer' your parking; it just means it's free for you or they will pay you back for it. Keep it simple and don't stress about the complex grammar rules yet.
At the A2 level, you are starting to deal with more workplace and administrative vocabulary. You might encounter 'défrayer' when talking about your work or volunteer activities. It's useful to know that 'les frais' (the costs) is the word that usually goes with it. You can start to use it in basic sentences like 'Est-ce que vous défrayez le transport ?' (Do you cover transport costs?). This shows a higher level of French than just asking 'C'est gratuit ?' (Is it free?). You should also be aware that it's a regular verb, so you conjugate it like 'parler' or 'manger'. At this level, you might also hear the phrase 'défrayer la chronique' in simple news reports, but you don't need to use it. Just recognize that it means something is famous or being talked about a lot. Focus on the literal meaning of covering expenses in professional or formal situations.
At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'défrayer' in professional contexts. This is the level where you move beyond basic survival and start to handle more formal transactions. You should know how to ask for reimbursement using this verb: 'Je souhaiterais être défrayé de mes frais de mission.' You should also understand the difference between 'défrayer' and 'rembourser'. Use 'défrayer' when talking about professional expenses, travel, or specific costs associated with a task. You should also become familiar with the idiom 'défrayer la chronique' as it appears frequently in B1-level reading materials like newspapers and blogs. This is a great word to use in a formal email or a job interview to show that you have a professional vocabulary. Remember the conjugation: it follows the 'payer' pattern, so 'je défraye' or 'je défraie' are both possible, but 'je défraye' is the standard you should aim for.
At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of 'défrayer' and its various nuances. You should be comfortable using it in both literal and figurative senses. In a business meeting, you might argue about which expenses should be 'défrayés'. In a discussion about current events, you should be able to use 'défrayer la chronique' to describe a scandal or a major news story. You should also understand the passive voice usage: 'Ces dépenses ne seront pas défrayées.' At this level, you should also be aware of the register—knowing that 'défrayer' is more formal than 'payer' or 'rembourser'. You can use it to add precision and elegance to your speech and writing. You should also be able to explain the concept of 'défrayement' (the noun form) in the context of French labor laws or organizational policies. Your ability to use this word correctly in complex sentences will demonstrate a strong command of professional French.
At the C1 level, 'défrayer' should be a natural part of your high-level vocabulary. You should be able to appreciate the stylistic weight it carries. In literary or academic writing, you might use it to discuss the social impact of an event ('L'affaire a défrayé la chronique judiciaire pendant des années'). You should also be aware of its historical roots and how it differs from more technical terms like 'indemniser' or 'dédommager'. At this level, you can use the verb in more complex grammatical structures, such as using it with a double object: 'défrayer quelqu'un de ses dépenses'. You should also be sensitive to the nuances of 'défrayer la chronique'—it often carries a slightly critical or sensationalist tone. Your usage should be flawless, including the correct choice of register and the ability to use it in nuanced arguments about economics, law, or media studies. You are expected to recognize it even in archaic or very formal legal texts.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like mastery of 'défrayer'. You can use it with precision in the most formal settings, such as legal briefs, executive reports, or philosophical essays. You understand the subtle play between its literal financial meaning and its figurative social meaning. You might use it in a witty or ironic way in high-level conversation. You are aware of the full word family, including the noun 'défrayement' and related concepts in fiscal law. You can distinguish between 'défrayer' and its synonyms in terms of legal liability and administrative procedure. When you use 'défrayer la chronique', you do so with an awareness of its history and its place in French journalistic tradition. You can handle any spelling variation and any complex sentence structure involving the verb. At this level, 'défrayer' is not just a word you know; it's a tool you use to navigate the complexities of French professional and intellectual life with absolute confidence and stylistic flair.

défrayer em 30 segundos

  • Défrayer is a formal verb meaning to cover expenses or reimburse someone for costs incurred during a task, especially in professional or legal settings.
  • The most common idiomatic use is 'défrayer la chronique', which means to be the talk of the town or to dominate news headlines.
  • It is a regular -er verb, conjugated like 'payer', often used in business contexts for travel, meals, and administrative reimbursements.
  • Unlike 'rembourser', which is general, 'défrayer' specifically targets 'frais' (expenses) and is much more formal in its register.

The French verb défrayer is a sophisticated term primarily used in financial and social contexts. At its core, it means to cover the expenses or costs incurred by someone else, typically in a professional or formal setting. Imagine you are traveling for work; your company doesn't just pay your salary, they défrayent your travel costs. This implies a specific act of taking the financial burden off an individual's shoulders. Unlike the more common verb rembourser (to refund), which often happens after the money has been spent, défrayer carries a nuance of 'provisioning' or 'taking care of' the costs as a matter of policy or arrangement.

Professional Context
It is most frequently used in business contracts and employment agreements. When an employer says they will 'défrayer les frais de déplacement,' they are committing to paying for your train tickets, hotels, and meals.
Legal and Administrative
In legal terms, it refers to the compensation of costs for witnesses or jurors who must attend court. It ensures that civic duty does not result in personal financial loss.
The Figurative Twist
Perhaps the most common way you will encounter this word in modern media is through the expression 'défrayer la chronique.' This means to be the talk of the town or to provide constant material for news and gossip.

L'entreprise a accepté de défrayer tous mes repas pendant le séminaire à Lyon.

The word stems from the Old French word 'frais' (costs/expenses). By adding the prefix 'dé-', which in this case acts as a marker of 'discharging' or 'removing,' the verb literally translates to 'removing the costs' from someone. It is a B1-level word because while it is common in specific sectors, it requires an understanding of formal register and idiomatic usage that goes beyond basic daily survival French. You won't usually use it with friends when splitting a pizza, but you will definitely use it when discussing your relocation package or a business trip with HR.

Ce nouveau scandale politique risque de défrayer la chronique pendant des semaines.

In the figurative sense, 'défrayer la chronique' implies that a subject is so interesting or scandalous that it 'pays' for the existence of the news columns—it provides them with content. It is a very colorful way to describe a trending topic. To master this word, one must balance its dry, accounting-based literal meaning with its vibrant, media-centric figurative meaning. It reflects the French tendency to use financial metaphors for social interactions.

Using défrayer correctly requires attention to the direct object. Usually, you 'défrayer quelqu'un' (pay for someone's costs) or 'défrayer les frais' (pay the costs themselves). It is a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object to complete its meaning. Let's look at the grammatical structures commonly associated with it.

Direct Object: The Person
Structure: Défrayer [personne]. Example: 'Nous allons vous défrayer pour votre déplacement.' (We will reimburse you for your travel.)
Direct Object: The Expense
Structure: Défrayer [les frais/le coût]. Example: 'L'association défraye les billets de train des bénévoles.'

Si vous venez témoigner, le tribunal pourra vous défrayer de vos pertes de salaire.

The verb follows the standard conjugation of first-group (-er) verbs. However, because it ends in -ayer, it has two possible spellings in some present tense forms (je défraye or je défraie), though 'défraye' is much more common and recommended for learners. This flexibility is shared with verbs like 'payer' and 'essayer'.

In professional emails, you will often see it in the passive voice or as a past participle used as an adjective. For example, 'frais défrayés' (expenses covered). This is a concise way to indicate that a position or a task comes with expense reimbursement. It is much more elegant than saying 'on paye vos tickets'.

Il est important que les stagiaires soient défrayés pour leur transport quotidien.

When constructing sentences, remember that 'défrayer' implies a total or significant coverage. If you are only paying back a small portion, 'contribuer aux frais' might be more accurate. 'Défrayer' suggests a professional obligation where the person being reimbursed should not be 'out of pocket'. It is the language of fairness and administrative regularity.

You are most likely to encounter défrayer in three specific environments in France: the corporate office, the newsroom, and the administrative court. Each environment uses the word with a slightly different flavor. In the corporate world, it is the standard term for expense management. If you are looking at a job offer on LinkedIn France, look for the phrase 'frais de transport défrayés à 50%'. This is a legal requirement in France where employers must cover half of their employees' public transit costs.

News and Media
Journalists love the phrase 'défrayer la chronique'. You'll hear it on BFM TV or read it in Le Monde when a celebrity does something outrageous or a political scandal breaks. It implies the event is so significant it dominates all headlines.
The Arts and Culture
In the world of theater or film, smaller productions might not pay a high salary, but they will 'défrayer les comédiens' for their travel and food. It's a way of saying 'we can't pay you much, but it won't cost you money to work with us.'

Le film a défrayé la chronique par son audace et sa mise en scène révolutionnaire.

In daily conversation, a French person might use it ironically. If a friend always expects others to pay for them, someone might say, 'On ne va pas te défrayer toute ta vie !' (We aren't going to pay your way forever!). This usage is rarer but highlights the word's association with financial responsibility. In administrative documents, such as tax forms or reimbursement requests, the word is ubiquitous. It is the 'official' word for getting your money back.

Finally, you will hear it in academic or intellectual circles. When discussing history, one might say a certain figure 'défrayait la chronique' of their era, meaning they were the primary subject of historical record or social debate. It is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane world of receipts and the exciting world of public reputation.

The most common mistake learners make with défrayer is confusing it with rembourser. While they are related, they are not interchangeable in all contexts. 'Rembourser' is general; you can reimburse a loan, a friend, or a purchase. 'Défrayer' is specifically for frais (expenses) incurred during a task or duty. You wouldn't 'défrayer' a bank loan; you would 'rembourser' it.

The 'Chronique' Confusion
Many learners try to say 'défrayer les nouvelles' or 'défrayer les journaux'. This is incorrect. The idiom is fixed: 'défrayer la chronique'. Changing the noun ruins the set phrase.
Preposition Errors
Avoid using 'à' or 'de' directly after the verb when the object is the person. It is 'défrayer quelqu'un', not 'défrayer à quelqu'un'. However, you can say 'défrayer quelqu'un de ses frais'.

Faux : Je vais vous défrayer votre dette. (Incorrect: You refund a debt, not 'défrayer' it.)

Another subtle mistake is using 'défrayer' for paying a salary. 'Défrayer' is not 'payer un salaire'. A salary is for work done; 'défrayer' is for the money the worker spent to be able to do that work. If an employer only 'défraye' you, they are essentially paying you zero profit, only covering your costs. This is an important distinction in job negotiations!

Finally, don't confuse 'défrayer' with 'effrayer' (to frighten). They sound somewhat similar to a non-native ear, but their meanings are worlds apart. One involves money, the other involves fear. 'L'entreprise m'effraye' (The company scares me) is very different from 'L'entreprise me défraye' (The company pays my expenses).

When you want to talk about money changing hands to cover costs, French offers several nuances. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the nature of the payment. Défrayer is high-level and formal. Here are its closest cousins.

Rembourser
The most common alternative. It literally means 'to put back in the pocket'. It is used for everything from returning a shirt to the store to paying back a loan. It is less formal than 'défrayer'.
Indemniser
This means 'to compensate'. It often implies paying for a loss or a negative impact (like an insurance claim or a legal settlement), whereas 'défrayer' is just about covering active expenses.
Prendre en charge
A verbal phrase meaning 'to take care of' or 'to assume responsibility for'. This is very common in everyday business: 'Nous prenons en charge vos billets'.

Au lieu de défrayer, on peut simplement dire 'régler les frais'.

In the figurative sense of 'défrayer la chronique', synonyms include 'faire jaser' (to make people gossip), 'faire le buzz' (modern slang for making a stir), or 'être au centre de toutes les attentions'. However, 'défrayer la chronique' remains the most literary and prestigious way to express this idea.

If you are writing a formal letter to an employer, 'défrayer' is the best choice. If you are talking to a friend about a shared dinner, stick to 'rembourser' or 'te rendre l'argent'. Using 'défrayer' in a casual setting can sound unnecessarily stiff or even slightly pompous, unless used for humorous effect.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The idiom 'défrayer la chronique' comes from the idea that a scandal 'pays' for the cost of printing the newspaper by providing so much content.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /de.fʁe.je/
US /de.fʁe.je/
Last syllable: 'yay'.
Rima com
payer essayer balayer égayer effrayer relayer rayer étayer
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing the 'er' like 'er' in 'her'. It should be 'ay'.
  • Forgetting the 'y' sound in the middle.
  • Confusing it with 'effrayer' (ef-fray-yay).
  • Over-stressing the first syllable.
  • Hardening the 'r' too much.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Common in newspapers and contracts.

Escrita 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal register and specific objects.

Expressão oral 4/5

The idiom is common, but literal use is formal.

Audição 3/5

Easy to hear, but don't confuse with 'effrayer'.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

Payer Argent Frais Rembourser Journal

Aprenda a seguir

Indemniser Justificatif Dédommager Facturer Honoraires

Avançado

Virement Liquidation Solde Mandat Débours

Gramática essencial

Verbs in -ayer

Je défraye or je défraie (both are valid).

Transitive Direct Verbs

On défraye quelqu'un (no preposition).

Passive Voice with 'par'

Les frais sont défrayés par la société.

Subjunctive after necessity

Il faut qu'on nous défraye.

Past Participle Agreement

Les dépenses ont été défrayées.

Exemplos por nível

1

L'hôtel va défrayer votre parking.

The hotel will cover your parking.

Simple present tense with a direct object.

2

Ils défrayent le voyage.

They pay for the trip.

Subject + Verb + Object.

3

Est-ce que vous défrayez les repas ?

Do you pay for the meals?

Question form with 'est-ce que'.

4

Je veux être défrayé.

I want to be reimbursed.

Infinitive passive construction.

5

L'école défraye le bus.

The school pays for the bus.

Simple subject-verb agreement.

6

Elle défraye ses amis.

She pays for her friends' costs.

Third person singular conjugation.

7

Nous défrayons le taxi.

We cover the taxi cost.

First person plural conjugation.

8

C'est défrayé par la mairie.

It is paid for by the city hall.

Passive voice with 'par'.

1

L'association défraye les bénévoles pour l'essence.

The association reimburses volunteers for gas.

Uses 'pour' to specify the cost.

2

On va vous défrayer vos frais de train.

We are going to reimburse your train costs.

Future proche with 'aller' + infinitive.

3

Mon patron ne défraye jamais le déjeuner.

My boss never covers lunch.

Negative form with 'ne... jamais'.

4

Tu dois défrayer tes propres dépenses.

You must pay your own expenses.

Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive.

5

Ils ont défrayé tous les participants.

They reimbursed all the participants.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

6

Pouvez-vous défrayer mon ticket ?

Can you cover my ticket?

Inversion question form.

7

L'entreprise défraye le logement.

The company pays for the housing.

Direct object usage.

8

Nous défrayerons vos frais demain.

We will reimburse your costs tomorrow.

Simple future tense.

1

L'entreprise doit défrayer les employés de leurs frais de mission.

The company must reimburse employees for their mission expenses.

Usage of 'de' to introduce the specific expenses.

2

Cette affaire de corruption a défrayé la chronique tout l'été.

This corruption case was the talk of the town all summer.

Idiomatic expression 'défrayer la chronique'.

3

Il est possible de se faire défrayer par l'assurance.

It is possible to get reimbursed by the insurance.

Reflexive 'se faire défrayer'.

4

Nous vous défrayerons sur présentation des justificatifs.

We will reimburse you upon presentation of receipts.

Conditional clause 'sur présentation de'.

5

Le festival défraye les artistes mais ne les rémunère pas.

The festival covers the artists' costs but doesn't pay them a salary.

Contrast between 'défrayer' and 'rémunérer'.

6

Elle a réussi à se faire défrayer son voyage à New York.

She managed to get her trip to New York paid for.

Passive causative construction.

7

Les frais de bouche sont défrayés par l'organisateur.

Meal expenses are covered by the organizer.

Technical term 'frais de bouche'.

8

Qui va défrayer les coûts de réparation ?

Who is going to cover the repair costs?

Interrogative pronoun 'qui'.

1

Le scandale a défrayé la chronique, ternissant l'image de la marque.

The scandal was the talk of the town, tarnishing the brand's image.

Present participle 'ternissant'.

2

Il est impératif que l'employeur défraye intégralement les frais réels.

It is imperative that the employer fully reimburses actual costs.

Subjunctive mood after 'il est impératif que'.

3

Bien que défrayé, le témoin a refusé de se présenter à l'audience.

Although his costs were covered, the witness refused to appear at the hearing.

Concessive clause with 'bien que'.

4

Les modalités pour se faire défrayer sont expliquées dans le manuel.

The procedures for getting reimbursed are explained in the manual.

Noun 'modalités' with reflexive infinitive.

5

Le candidat a défrayé la chronique par ses propos provocateurs.

The candidate made headlines with his provocative remarks.

Preposition 'par' showing the cause of fame.

6

Nous ne pouvons défrayer que les dépenses autorisées au préalable.

We can only reimburse expenses authorized in advance.

Restrictive 'ne... que' construction.

7

L'État défraye les jurés de leurs pertes de revenus.

The State compensates jurors for their loss of income.

Administrative context.

8

Si vous n'êtes pas défrayé, vous pouvez contester la décision.

If you are not reimbursed, you can contest the decision.

Conditional 'si' clause.

1

Cette nouvelle théorie scientifique défraye la chronique des revues spécialisées.

This new scientific theory is the talk of specialized journals.

Usage in an intellectual/specialized context.

2

L'accord stipule que le prestataire sera défrayé de tout débours engagé.

The agreement stipulates that the provider will be reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses.

Formal legal term 'débours'.

3

Il ne s'agit pas d'un salaire, mais d'une somme visant à défrayer l'intervenant.

It is not a salary, but a sum intended to cover the speaker's expenses.

Contrastive 'ne s'agit pas de... mais de'.

4

Le film, bien que controversé, a défrayé la chronique lors de sa sortie.

The film, although controversial, made headlines upon its release.

Parenthetical concessive phrase.

5

On ne saurait défrayer un tel luxe avec un budget aussi réduit.

One could not possibly cover such luxury with such a small budget.

Formal 'ne saurait' + infinitive.

6

Les frais de représentation sont défrayés selon un barème précis.

Representation expenses are reimbursed according to a specific scale.

Passive voice with 'selon'.

7

Le ministre a dû s'expliquer après avoir défrayé la chronique politique.

The minister had to explain himself after making political headlines.

Infinitive past 'après avoir défrayé'.

8

L'employeur est tenu de défrayer les frais de transport domicile-travail.

The employer is required to reimburse commuting costs.

Legal obligation 'être tenu de'.

1

L'audace de cette réforme n'a pas manqué de défrayer la chronique parlementaire.

The boldness of this reform did not fail to make headlines in parliament.

Double negation 'n'a pas manqué de'.

2

Il convient de défrayer l'expert de ses frais de vacation et de déplacement.

It is appropriate to reimburse the expert for his attendance and travel fees.

Impersonal 'il convient de'.

3

L'histoire de cet aventurier a défrayé la chronique mondaine du XIXe siècle.

The story of this adventurer was the talk of 19th-century high society.

Historical/Literary context.

4

Sous couvert de défrayer les membres, l'organisation détournait des fonds.

Under the guise of reimbursing members, the organization was embezzling funds.

Idiom 'sous couvert de'.

5

Nul ne peut être défrayé sans avoir préalablement fourni de factures.

No one can be reimbursed without having previously provided invoices.

Negative pronoun 'nul' + formal structure.

6

La marquise aimait défrayer la chronique par ses excentricités vestimentaires.

The marquise loved making headlines with her eccentric clothing.

Imperfect tense for habitual action.

7

Les frais engagés par le mandataire seront défrayés par le mandant.

The expenses incurred by the agent will be reimbursed by the principal.

Legal terminology 'mandataire/mandant'.

8

L'événement a tellement défrayé la chronique qu'il est devenu mythique.

The event made such headlines that it became mythical.

Consecutive 'tellement... que'.

Colocações comuns

Défrayer les frais
Défrayer la chronique
Se faire défrayer
Défrayer le déplacement
Être défrayé de
Défrayer intégralement
Défrayer les bénévoles
Défrayer le logement
Défrayer les témoins
Défrayer les participants

Frases Comuns

Frais défrayés

— Expenses are covered. Often seen in job postings.

Poste avec frais défrayés.

Se voir défrayer

— To be granted reimbursement. Very formal.

Il s'est vu défrayer ses frais de route.

Défrayer les dépenses

— To cover the spending of someone else.

Je défrayerai vos dépenses personnelles.

Défrayer le voyage

— To pay for a trip's costs.

L'école défraye le voyage scolaire.

Défrayer les coûts

— To cover the costs of a project or action.

Qui va défrayer les coûts de l'opération ?

Défrayer la vie

— To pay for someone's lifestyle (rare/ironic).

Je ne vais pas te défrayer la vie !

Défrayer les repas

— To pay for food expenses.

Le séminaire défraye tous les repas.

Défrayer l'hôtel

— To pay for accommodation.

L'entreprise défraye l'hôtel pendant la mission.

Défrayer le transport

— To pay for commuting or travel.

Ils défrayent le transport en commun.

Défrayer les invités

— To cover the costs of guests.

Nous défrayons nos invités d'honneur.

Frequentemente confundido com

défrayer vs Effrayer

Means to frighten. Sounds similar but unrelated.

défrayer vs Rembourser

General refund. Défrayer is specific to costs incurred for a task.

défrayer vs Payer

Simple payment. Défrayer is more about 'covering' or 'provisioning'.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Défrayer la chronique"

— To be the subject of all conversations or news. To create a buzz.

Cette affaire de dopage défraye la chronique sportive.

Journalistic
"Défrayer la chronique mondaine"

— To be the talk of high society.

Son mariage a défrayé la chronique mondaine.

Formal
"Défrayer la chronique judiciaire"

— To be a major topic in legal news or courts.

Le procès défraye la chronique judiciaire.

Formal
"Défrayer la chronique locale"

— To be the talk of a small town or neighborhood.

Le nouveau maire défraye la chronique locale.

Neutral
"Ne pas défrayer la chronique"

— To pass unnoticed; to not make any news.

Son départ n'a pas défrayé la chronique.

Neutral
"Défrayer la chronique politique"

— To be the main topic of political debate.

La réforme défraye la chronique politique.

Formal
"Défrayer la chronique des faits divers"

— To be in the 'miscellaneous news' or crime section.

Ce vol étrange défraye la chronique des faits divers.

Journalistic
"Défrayer la chronique littéraire"

— To be the talk of the book world.

Son premier roman défraye la chronique littéraire.

Formal
"Défrayer la chronique par son absence"

— To make news precisely because one is not there.

Son absence a défrayé la chronique lors du gala.

Literary
"Défrayer la chronique par ses frasques"

— To make headlines with one's wild behavior.

La star défraye la chronique par ses frasques nocturnes.

Journalistic

Fácil de confundir

défrayer vs Défrayer

Sounds like 'Frayer'

Frayer means to clear a path or for fish to spawn. Défrayer is about money.

Il se fraye un chemin / Il me défraye.

défrayer vs Défrayer

Sounds like 'Effrayer'

Effrayer is to scare. Défrayer is to pay.

Tu m'effrayes ! / L'entreprise me défraye.

défrayer vs Défrayer

Confusion with 'Défricher'

Défricher is to clear land. Défrayer is to clear costs.

Il défriche le champ / Il défraye le voyage.

défrayer vs Défrayer

Confusion with 'Défrayer la chronique' vs 'Faire la chronique'

Défrayer la chronique is to be the subject. Faire la chronique is to write it.

Il défraye la chronique / Il fait la chronique radio.

défrayer vs Défrayer

Confusion with 'Défrayer' vs 'Rémunérer'

Rémunérer is salary for work. Défrayer is for expenses.

Je suis rémunéré 2000€ et défrayé pour mon train.

Padrões de frases

A2

S + défrayer + [frais]

Le club défraye le voyage.

B1

S + se faire + défrayer

Je me fais défrayer par l'école.

B1

S + défrayer + la chronique

Ce film défraye la chronique.

B2

S + être défrayé + de + [frais]

Il est défrayé de ses frais de route.

B2

S + ne + défrayer + que + [frais]

On ne défraye que l'hôtel.

C1

S + défrayer + [personne] + de + [débours]

Le client défraye l'avocat de ses débours.

C1

S + s'engager à + défrayer

La mairie s'engage à défrayer les artistes.

C2

S + défrayer + la chronique + [adjectif]

L'affaire défraye la chronique judiciaire.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Défrayement (the act of reimbursing)
Frais (costs/expenses)

Verbos

Payer
Rayer

Adjetivos

Défrayé (reimbursed)

Relacionado

Remboursement
Indemnité
Note de frais
Justificatif
Débours

Como usar

frequency

Common in professional and journalistic French.

Erros comuns
  • Je défraye ma dette. Je rembourse ma dette.

    You refund a debt, you don't 'défrayer' it.

  • Il défraye les nouvelles. Il défraye la chronique.

    The idiom is fixed with 'chronique'.

  • Je défraye à toi. Je te défraye.

    It is a direct transitive verb, no 'à' needed.

  • L'entreprise me rémunère mes frais. L'entreprise me défraye mes frais.

    Rémunérer is for work/salary, défrayer is for costs.

  • Je suis effrayé de mes frais. Je suis défrayé de mes frais.

    Effrayé means scared. Don't mix them up!

Dicas

In Job Interviews

Ask 'Est-ce que vous défrayez les déplacements ?' to sound professional.

Synonym Choice

Use 'défrayer' for business, 'rembourser' for friends, 'indemniser' for legal matters.

Passive Voice

Remember: 'Mes frais sont défrayés' is a very common structure.

French Law

Employers in France are often legally required to défrayer transport.

The 'D' and 'F'

D for Discharging, F for Frais. Discharging the Frais!

Newspaper Reading

Look for 'défrayer la chronique' in headlines to see it in action.

Fixed Phrase

Never change 'chronique' to 'journal' in the famous idiom.

The Y vs I

Stick to 'y' (défrayer) to keep your conjugation consistent with 'payer'.

Se faire défrayer

Use this to say 'to get reimbursed'. It's very common.

Target the Object

You défrayer 'frais' or 'personnes'. Both are correct.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'De-Fray'. You are removing (De) the fray (costs/struggle) from someone's wallet.

Associação visual

Imagine a boss handing a large 'D' shaped coin to an employee to cover a pile of receipts labeled 'FRAIS'.

Word Web

Frais Argent Rembourser Chronique Journal Bureau Taxi Hôtel

Desafio

Try to use 'défrayer' in a sentence about a business trip and 'défrayer la chronique' in a sentence about a celebrity today.

Origem da palavra

From the French word 'frais' (expenses) which comes from the Frankish 'frisk' (fresh/new).

Significado original: To provide fresh supplies or to cover the costs of supplies.

Romance (French), with Germanic roots for 'frais'.

Contexto cultural

No major sensitivities, but 'défrayer la chronique' is often used for scandals, so use it carefully when discussing real people.

In English, we usually just say 'reimburse' or 'make headlines'. French uses 'défrayer' for both, showing a link between money and attention.

The Panama Papers défrayèrent la chronique. Molière's plays often défrayaient la chronique of the court. The Tour de France always défraye la chronique sportive.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Business Trip

  • Défrayer l'hôtel
  • Note de frais
  • Justificatif de transport
  • Remboursement forfaitaire

News/Media

  • Défrayer la chronique
  • Faire les gros titres
  • Susciter la polémique
  • Être au cœur du scandale

Legal

  • Défrayer les témoins
  • Indemnité de comparution
  • Frais de justice
  • Défrayer de ses pertes

Volunteering

  • Défrayer l'essence
  • Bénévolat défrayé
  • Frais réels
  • Prise en charge

Academic

  • Défrayer le chercheur
  • Bourse de mobilité
  • Frais de colloque
  • Défrayer la publication

Iniciadores de conversa

"Est-ce que votre entreprise défraye les frais de télétravail ?"

"Quelle affaire a défrayé la chronique récemment selon vous ?"

"Pensez-vous que l'État devrait défrayer tous les transports en commun ?"

"Avez-vous déjà dû vous battre pour vous faire défrayer une dépense ?"

"Quelle célébrité défraye la chronique en ce moment dans votre pays ?"

Temas para diário

Décrivez une situation où vous avez été défrayé pour un travail ou une mission. Était-ce facile ?

Imaginez un scandale imaginaire qui pourrait défrayer la chronique dans votre ville.

Pourquoi est-il important, selon vous, que les entreprises défrayent les frais de leurs employés ?

Analysez l'expression 'défrayer la chronique'. Trouvez-vous qu'elle est plus élégante que 'faire le buzz' ?

Si vous étiez ministre, quels frais choisiriez-vous de défrayer pour les citoyens ?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, use 'rembourser'. 'Défrayer' is for expenses like travel or meals.

Not always, but it usually implies a scandal or something very surprising.

Both 'je défraye' and 'je défraie' are correct, but 'défraye' is more common.

The noun is 'défrayement' or simply 'le remboursement des frais'.

It sounds very formal. Better to say 'Je te rembourse ta part'.

No, it specifically excludes profit. It only covers the money you already spent.

Yes, it is used in professional Canadian French as well.

It means to be the talk of high society or celebrity circles.

No, the idiom is strictly 'défrayer la chronique'.

Yes, it follows the first group (-er) conjugation rules.

Teste-se 180 perguntas

writing

Write a sentence using 'défrayer' and 'voyage'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write a sentence using 'défrayer la chronique'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Je me fais défrayer mes frais.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Identify the verb: 'On vous défraye demain.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Ask if the company pays for the hotel.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use 'défrayer' in a legal context.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Explain 'défrayer la chronique' in French.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Nous défrayerons vos repas.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Complete: 'Si je viens, est-ce que...'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use 'défrayer' in the future tense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'They cover my expenses.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write: 'I got my travel costs covered.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Do you cover lunch?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'We will reimburse you.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Ask if travel is covered.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write: 'The company pays for my lunch.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Who pays for the gas?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use 'défrayer' in a question.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'I need to be reimbursed.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write: 'They pay for my gas.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'We cover the costs.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write: 'I pay for your train.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Do you pay for the hotel?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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