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A2 verb #2,500 最常用 7分钟阅读

engager

开始练习 例句 笔记与提示 engager 30秒了解
解析 engager in your Level:
At the A1 level, you might not use 'engager' frequently, as simpler verbs like 'travailler' or 'commencer' are more common. However, you might see it in very basic professional contexts or simple directions. It is important to recognize it as 'to hire' in job advertisements. You might also encounter it in sports (to start the game). Focus on the basic meaning: 'to hire' or 'to start.' At this stage, don't worry about the complex reflexive uses; just remember that 'engager un employé' means to hire a worker. It's a regular -er verb, which makes it easy to conjugate, but remember the 'e' in 'nous engageons.'
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At the A2 level, 'engager' becomes a key vocabulary word for talking about work and daily routines. You should be able to use it to describe hiring someone or starting a conversation ('engager la conversation'). You will also start to see the reflexive form 's'engager' in simple contexts, like joining a club or a group. You should understand that it is more formal than 'embaucher.' You might also use it when talking about driving, such as 'engager la voiture dans la rue.' This level focuses on the transition from simple actions to more specific, professional, or technical actions.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'engager' in more abstract and reflexive ways. You should be comfortable with 's'engager à' followed by an infinitive to express commitment (e.g., 'Je m'engage à terminer ce travail'). You will also encounter the word in social and political contexts, such as 'un artiste engagé' (a committed artist). You should understand its use in legal or administrative terms, like 'engager des procédures.' Your ability to distinguish between 'engager' (to start/hire) and 's'engager' (to commit/enter) should be solid. You also begin to see its use in expressing responsibility: 'engager sa responsabilité.'
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At the B2 level, you should master the nuances of 'engager' in formal writing and debate. You will use it to describe complex processes, such as 'engager des réformes' (to initiate reforms) or 'engager un débat national.' You should understand the subtle difference between 'engager' and synonyms like 'entamer' or 'déclencher.' In literature and high-level journalism, you will see it used to describe physical movement into metaphorical spaces (e.g., 's'engager dans une voie sans issue'). You should also be familiar with the government's use of 'engager sa responsabilité' in the context of the French Constitution (Article 49.3).
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At the C1 level, 'engager' is used with precision in professional, academic, and literary contexts. You will use it to discuss the philosophical implications of 'l'engagement' (commitment). You should be able to use it in various registers, from technical (engaging gears) to highly abstract (engaging one's soul). You will understand idiomatic expressions and the use of 'engager' in classical literature where it might mean 'to pawn' or 'to pledge' an object. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's weight—how it binds a person to an action or a consequence. You can use it to describe the initiation of complex, multi-stage operations.
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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'engager.' You can use it to convey subtle shades of meaning in diplomatic, legal, and philosophical discourse. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its roots in 'gage' (pledge). You can use it in highly sophisticated ways, such as 'engager le fer' (to cross swords/engage in a fight) or in complex legal phrasing regarding contractual obligations. You are aware of its use in every possible domain—mechanics, sports, law, politics, and personal relationships—and you can switch between these meanings effortlessly and accurately in both speech and writing.
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开始练习 例句 笔记与提示

engager 30秒了解

  • Primary meaning: To hire or employ someone (formal).
  • Reflexive meaning: To commit oneself to a task or cause.
  • Action meaning: To start or initiate (conversation, process, gear).
  • Physical meaning: To enter a specific path or space (often with a vehicle).

The French verb engager is a versatile powerhouse in the French language, primarily recognized at the A2 level as the equivalent of 'to hire' or 'to employ.' However, its semantic reach extends far beyond the human resources department. At its core, engager signifies the act of putting something or someone into a specific process, commitment, or physical space. When you hire someone, you are 'engaging' them into a professional contract. When you start a conversation, you are 'engaging' the dialogue. Understanding this word requires looking at it as a catalyst for action or commitment.

Professional Context
To recruit or hire a new staff member (e.g., engager un secrétaire).
Initiation
To begin or start a process, such as a discussion or legal proceedings (e.g., engager des poursuites).
Physical Movement
To enter or move into a specific path or area (e.g., engager la voiture dans une ruelle).

'L'entreprise a décidé d'engager trois nouveaux ingénieurs pour le projet.' (The company decided to hire three new engineers for the project.)

Beyond the simple 'hiring' aspect, engager carries a weight of responsibility. In French law and ethics, engager sa responsabilité means to be held accountable for one's actions. This nuances the word with a sense of 'pledging' or 'binding.' If you 'engage' your word (engager sa parole), you are making a solemn promise. This level of commitment is what differentiates it from simple verbs like 'commencer' (to start) or 'donner' (to give).

'Il ne faut pas engager de frais inutiles avant d'avoir le budget.' (One must not incur/start unnecessary expenses before having the budget.)

In the reflexive form, s'engager, the meaning shifts toward personal commitment or physical entry. To 's'engager dans l'armée' is to join the army, while 's'engager à faire quelque chose' is to commit oneself to doing something. This is a vital distinction for learners moving toward B1 and B2 levels, where abstract commitments become more common in conversation and writing.

'Elle s'est engagée à terminer le rapport avant lundi.' (She committed herself to finishing the report before Monday.)

Reflexive: Commitment
To promise or bind oneself to a cause or action.
Reflexive: Direction
To turn into or enter a street or path.

'Le conducteur s'est engagé dans un sens interdit.' (The driver entered a one-way street the wrong way.)

'Nous devons engager la discussion sur ce sujet sensible.' (We must initiate the discussion on this sensitive subject.)

Using engager correctly involves understanding its transitivity and the prepositions that follow it. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object: engager quelqu'un (to hire someone) or engager quelque chose (to start something). The conjugation follows the standard -er pattern, but remember the spelling change in the nous form of the present tense (nous engageons) to keep the 'g' soft.

Direct Object Usage
J'engage un avocat. (I am hiring a lawyer.)
Reflexive + Preposition 'à'
Je m'engage à vous aider. (I commit to helping you.)
Reflexive + Preposition 'dans'
Il s'engage dans une nouvelle carrière. (He is embarking on a new career.)

In professional settings, engager is more formal than 'embaucher.' While 'embaucher' is specifically for hiring workers, engager can imply a broader sense of bringing someone into a project or even 'engaging' a consultant. If you are writing a CV or a formal letter, engager adds a layer of professional sophistication. It is also the standard term for 'engaging' gears in a vehicle (engager une vitesse).

'N'oubliez pas d'engager le frein à main.' (Don't forget to engage the handbrake.)

When discussing social issues, engager is often used to describe taking a stand. An 'écrivain engagé' is a socially or politically committed writer. This usage is very common in French literary and political discourse. It suggests that the person is not just a passive observer but has 'engaged' their identity and work in a cause.

'C'est à l'équipe de France d'engager.' (It is the French team's turn to kick off.)

You will encounter engager in a variety of environments, from the corporate office to the evening news. In a business context, it's the standard term for recruitment. You might hear a manager say, 'Nous devons engager du personnel saisonnier' (We need to hire seasonal staff). In legal or administrative contexts, it appears in phrases like 'engager des poursuites judiciaires' (to initiate legal proceedings).

On the News
'Le gouvernement a décidé d'engager sa responsabilité sur ce texte.' (The government decided to stake its responsibility on this text - a specific French constitutional procedure.)
In the Car
'Engage la deuxième vitesse.' (Shift into second gear.)
In Literature
'Il s'engagea dans la forêt sombre.' (He entered/ventured into the dark forest.)

In everyday social interactions, you might hear 'engager la conversation.' If someone is shy, a friend might say, 'C'est difficile pour lui d'engager la conversation avec des inconnus.' This implies the initial effort of breaking the ice. It is also used in the context of 'engaging' someone's interest: 'Ce film n'a pas réussi à m'engager' (This movie didn't manage to engage/interest me).

'Le débat est engagé.' (The debate has begun/is underway.)

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing engager with 'fiancer' (to get engaged for marriage). In French, if you say 'Je suis engagé,' it usually means 'I am busy,' 'I am committed to a cause,' or 'I have been hired.' It does not mean you are getting married. For marriage, you must use 'se fiancer.'

False Friend Alert
Engaged (to be married) = Fiancé(e). NOT engagé.
Preposition Error
Using 'de' instead of 'à' for commitments. Correct: S'engager à faire. Incorrect: S'engager de faire.
Spelling
Forgetting the 'e' in 'nous engageons'.

Another mistake is using engager when you simply mean 'to start' (commencer) in a general sense. While engager means to start, it is usually reserved for formal processes, conversations, or physical entries. You wouldn't 'engager' eating an apple; you would 'commencer' to eat it. Use engager when there is a sense of 'setting something in motion' or 'binding' something.

'J'ai engagé des frais.' (I have incurred expenses - correct usage of formal start.)

Several verbs share a semantic field with engager, but each has its own nuance. Embaucher is the most direct synonym for hiring, but it is strictly professional. Recruter is often used for large-scale hiring or military enlistment. Commencer and débuter are general terms for starting, whereas engager implies the initiation of a formal or complex process.

Embaucher
Specifically to hire an employee for a job.
S'investir
To invest oneself (emotionally or with time) into something, similar to 's'engager' but more about effort than a formal promise.
Entamer
To start something, often used for food, a discussion, or a period of time (e.g., entamer un gâteau, entamer une discussion).

'Nous allons entamer les négociations.' (We are going to open/start the negotiations.)

When it comes to physical entry, pénétrer or entrer are more common for simple movements. Engager is used when the entry involves a vehicle or a specific maneuver. For example, 'engager sa voiture dans un parking étroit' implies a careful, deliberate movement into a space.

How Formal Is It?

难度评级

需要掌握的语法

Spelling changes in -ger verbs

Reflexive verb agreement in passé composé

Verbs followed by the preposition 'à'

Verbs followed by the preposition 'dans'

Passive voice with 'être' + past participle

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按水平分级的例句

1

Le patron va engager un nouveau serveur.

The boss is going to hire a new waiter.

Future proche: aller + infinitive.

2

Ils engagent des ouvriers pour la maison.

They are hiring workers for the house.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

3

Nous engageons la conversation avec les voisins.

We are starting a conversation with the neighbors.

Note the 'e' in 'engageons' to keep the soft 'g'.

4

Le joueur va engager le ballon.

The player is going to kick off the ball.

Sporting context.

5

Elle veut engager une secrétaire.

She wants to hire a secretary.

Vouloir + infinitive.

6

On engage qui pour ce travail ?

Who are we hiring for this job?

Informal 'on' used for 'we'.

7

N'engagez pas de frais maintenant.

Don't incur any expenses now.

Imperative negative.

8

L'école engage des professeurs.

The school is hiring teachers.

Simple subject-verb-object.

1

J'ai engagé un jardinier pour mon jardin.

I hired a gardener for my garden.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

Il s'engage dans la rue principale.

He is turning into the main street.

Reflexive verb 's'engager' indicating movement.

3

Nous nous engageons à finir le projet.

We commit to finishing the project.

Reflexive 's'engager à' + infinitive.

4

Elle a engagé la discussion sur le climat.

She started the discussion about the climate.

Engager + noun (starting a process).

5

Le chauffeur engage la première vitesse.

The driver shifts into first gear.

Technical usage: engaging gears.

6

Ils se sont engagés dans une association.

They joined an association.

Passé composé of a reflexive verb (uses 'être').

7

Pouvez-vous engager cet avocat ?

Can you hire this lawyer?

Modal verb 'pouvoir' + infinitive.

8

L'armée engage de jeunes recrues.

The army is recruiting young recruits.

Formal context of hiring.

1

Le gouvernement engage de nouvelles réformes.

The government is initiating new reforms.

Engager used for formal processes.

2

Je m'engage à respecter les règles.

I pledge to respect the rules.

Formal commitment.

3

Il a engagé sa parole d'honneur.

He gave his word of honor.

Abstract usage: pledging something.

4

Elle s'est engagée dans un combat politique.

She got involved in a political struggle.

S'engager dans + noun (involvement).

5

Nous devons engager des poursuites contre lui.

We must initiate legal proceedings against him.

Legal terminology.

6

L'entreprise engage sa responsabilité civile.

The company is liable (engages its civil responsibility).

Legal/Professional responsibility.

7

Le film engage une réflexion sur la solitude.

The film prompts a reflection on loneliness.

Metaphorical initiation.

8

Ils ont engagé le combat à l'aube.

They initiated the fight at dawn.

Military/Historical context.

1

L'auteur est très engagé socialement.

The author is very socially committed.

Adjective 'engagé' meaning committed/activist.

2

Le Premier ministre a engagé la responsabilité du gouvernement.

The Prime Minister staked the government's responsibility.

Specific French political context (Article 49.3).

3

Il s'est engagé dans une voie sans issue.

He embarked on a dead-end path.

Idiomatic/Metaphorical use.

4

Les dépenses engagées dépassent le budget.

The expenses incurred exceed the budget.

Past participle used as an adjective (incurred).

5

Comment engager les jeunes dans le vote ?

How to engage young people in voting?

Engager + object + dans (involvement).

6

Elle a engagé le fer avec son adversaire.

She crossed swords with her opponent.

Idiomatic expression for starting a fight/debate.

7

Le processus de paix est enfin engagé.

The peace process is finally underway.

Passive sense: something has been started.

8

Il ne faut pas s'engager à la légère.

One should not commit lightly.

Adverbial phrase 'à la légère'.

1

Cette décision engage l'avenir de la nation.

This decision commits/affects the future of the nation.

High-level abstract consequence.

2

Il s'est engagé corps et âme dans cette cause.

He committed himself body and soul to this cause.

Idiomatic 'corps et âme'.

3

L'engrenage est engagé, on ne peut plus reculer.

The gears are in motion; there's no turning back.

Metaphorical use of mechanical terms.

4

Le ton engagé de son discours a surpris l'auditoire.

The committed/passionate tone of his speech surprised the audience.

Adjective usage for tone/style.

5

Il a dû engager ses bijoux pour payer ses dettes.

He had to pawn his jewelry to pay his debts.

Archaic/Specific meaning: to pledge/pawn.

6

La responsabilité pénale peut être engagée.

Criminal liability can be incurred.

Legal precision.

7

S'engager dans une analyse approfondie du texte.

To embark on a deep analysis of the text.

Academic context.

8

Elle a engagé une lutte acharnée pour ses droits.

She initiated a fierce struggle for her rights.

Strong collocations (lutte acharnée).

1

L'acte d'écrire est, en soi, un geste engagé.

The act of writing is, in itself, a committed gesture.

Philosophical/Existentialist context (Sartre).

2

Il s'agit d'engager un dialogue constructif par-delà les frontières.

It is about initiating a constructive dialogue across borders.

Diplomatic register.

3

Le navire s'est engagé dans le détroit par gros temps.

The ship entered the strait in heavy weather.

Nautical/Technical precision.

4

Cette clause engage les parties de manière irrévocable.

This clause binds the parties irrevocably.

Strict legal binding.

5

Engager le débat sur l'ontologie de l'être.

To initiate the debate on the ontology of being.

Highly academic/philosophical.

6

Elle a su engager les moyens nécessaires à la réussite.

She knew how to deploy the necessary means for success.

Using 'engager' as 'to deploy/allocate'.

7

Le destin s'est engagé sur une pente fatale.

Fate has started down a fatal slope.

Literary/Poetic usage.

8

On ne saurait engager autrui sans son consentement.

One cannot commit others without their consent.

Formal 'on ne saurait' + philosophical principle.

常见搭配

engager un employé
engager la conversation
engager des poursuites
engager sa responsabilité
engager des frais
s'engager à faire
s'engager dans l'armée
engager une vitesse
engager le combat
être engagé

常用短语

Engager le dialogue
S'engager sur une voie
Engager sa parole
Engager le fer
Frais engagés
Personnel engagé
S'engager à fond
Engager le processus
Engager la lutte
Engager le pas

容易混淆的词

engager vs Fiancer (to get engaged for marriage)

engager vs Embaucher (specifically for hiring workers)

engager vs Commencer (general starting)

习语与表达

"Engager le fer (to cross swords/start a debate)"
"S'engager dans une impasse (to get into a dead-end situation)"
"Engager sa responsabilité (to be held accountable)"
"Engager sa parole (to give one's word)"
"Engager le combat (to start the fight)"
"Être engagé jusqu'au cou (to be up to one's neck in commitment)"
"Engager les hostilités (to start hostilities)"
"S'engager sur un terrain glissant (to step onto slippery ground/risky topic)"
"Engager la plume (to write with commitment/purpose)"
"Engager le pari (to take the bet)"

容易混淆

engager vs

engager vs

engager vs

engager vs

engager vs

句型

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如何使用

social

Used for the act of starting social interactions.

mechanical

Used for shifting gears or engaging brakes.

professional

Highly common in HR and management.

常见错误
  • Using 'engager' for marriage engagement.
  • Forgetting the 'e' in 'nous engageons'.
  • Using 'engager de' instead of 'engager à'.
  • Using 'engager' for simple actions like starting a book (use commencer).
  • Confusing 'engagé' (committed) with 'occupé' (busy) in some contexts.

小贴士

The 'E' Rule

Always remember the 'e' in 'nous engageons'. Without it, the 'g' would sound hard like 'gong'.

Business French

Use 'engager' in professional emails when discussing hiring to sound more sophisticated than 'prendre'.

Political Context

When you hear '49.3' on French news, 'engager' is the verb they use for the government's power move.

Ice Breaking

Use 'engager la conversation' when talking about your social skills or difficulties.

Manual Cars

If you drive a manual in France, you'll need to 'engager' the gears constantly.

Personal Pledges

Use 'Je m'engage à...' for serious New Year's resolutions or work promises.

Legal Action

The phrase 'engager des poursuites' is the standard way to say 'to sue' or 'prosecute'.

Marriage Trap

Never tell a French person 'Je suis engagé' to mean you have a fiancé; they will think you have a job.

Recruter vs Engager

Use 'recruter' for large groups (like the army) and 'engager' for specific roles.

Intellectual Use

In essays, use 'engager une réflexion' to sound more academic than 'penser à'.

记住它

词源

Old French 'engagier', from 'en-' + 'gage' (pledge/security).

文化背景

Article 49.3 of the Constitution allows the government to 'engager sa responsabilité' to pass a law without a vote.

Existentialist literature focuses heavily on the choice to 's'engager' in the world.

在生活中练习

真实语境

对话开场白

"Comment peut-on engager plus de jeunes dans la politique ?"

"Avez-vous déjà engagé un coach personnel ?"

"Est-il facile pour vous d'engager la conversation avec des étrangers ?"

"Dans quelle cause aimeriez-vous vous engager ?"

"L'entreprise va-t-elle engager de nouveaux employés cette année ?"

日记主题

Décrivez un moment où vous vous êtes engagé à faire quelque chose de difficile.

Quelles sont les qualités d'un artiste engagé selon vous ?

Si vous deviez engager quelqu'un pour vous aider au quotidien, qui serait-ce ?

Réfléchissez à une situation où vous avez dû engager votre responsabilité.

Avez-vous déjà eu du mal à engager la conversation ? Racontez.

常见问题

10 个问题

No, 'engager' means to hire or commit. To get engaged for marriage, use 'se fiancer'.

Both mean to hire, but 'embaucher' is specifically for employees, while 'engager' is broader and more formal.

It is 'nous engageons'. You must keep the 'e' to maintain the soft 'g' sound.

Yes, it is used for 'engaging' a gear (engager une vitesse) or entering a street.

It refers to an artist who is politically or socially committed to a cause through their work.

No, it is followed by 'à' before a verb, but 'dans' before a noun (e.g., s'engager dans l'armée).

It means to take responsibility for something or to be held legally accountable.

No, use 'commencer'. 'Engager' is for processes, conversations, or legal actions.

Yes, it follows the regular -er conjugation pattern, with the minor -ger spelling rule.

Depending on context, it could be 'licencier' (to fire) or 'désengager' (to withdraw).

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