prendre
Using prendre
Prendre usually means “to take,” both literally and figuratively:
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Il m’a pris par le bras
He took me by the arm
Tu peux le prendre dans le tiroir
You can take it out of the drawer
Je vais prendre une photo
I’m going to take a picture
Prenez votre temps
Take your time
Prendre has a number of other meanings as well:
1. to come over, strike
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La colère m’a pris
I was overcome with anger
Qu’est-ce qui te prend ? (informal)
What’s come over you? What’s the matter with you?
2. to catch
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Je l’ai pris à tricher
I caught him cheating
3. to take in, dupe, fool
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On ne m’y prendra plus !
They won’t fool me again!
4. to handle, deal with
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Il y a plusieurs moyens de prendre le problème
There are several ways to deal with the problem
5. to set
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Le ciment n’a pas encore pris
The cement hasn’t set yet
6. to do well, catch on, be successful
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Ce livre va prendre
This book is going to be a great success
7. to catch, start
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J’espère que le bois va prendre
I hope the wood catches on fire
Prendre can also mean “to pick up” or “to fetch,” especially when used with another verb:
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Passe me prendre à midi
Come (by and) pick me up at noon
Peux-tu me prendre demain ?
Can you pick me up tomorrow?
Se prendre
Se prendre has several possible meanings as well:
1. to consider oneself
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Il se prend pour un expert
He thinks he’s an expert
2. to get caught, trapped
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Ma manche s’est prise dans la porte
My sleeve got caught in the door
3. s’en prendre à - to blame, challenge, attack
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Tu ne peux t’en prendre qu’à toi-même
You’ve only got yourself to blame
Il s’en est pris à son chien
He took it out on his dog
4. s’y prendre à - to do something about it
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Il faut s’y prendre
We have to do something about it, We have to take care of it
Expressions with prendre
- prendre sa retraite - to retire
prendre une décision - to make a decision
prendre un pot (informal) - to have a drink
Qu’est-ce qui t’a pris ? - What’s gotten into you?
