French Verb 'envoyer': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

As a French language learner, mastering the verb "envoyer" is crucial for effective communication. This versatile verb has multiple meanings and applications, making it a fundamental part of your linguistic toolkit.

What Does 'envoyer' Mean in French?

The verb "envoyer" can be translated to English as "to send", but its meaning extends beyond the literal sense. It can also convey the idea of dispatching, forwarding, or transmitting something, whether it's a physical object, an email, or even information. In some contexts, "envoyer" implies sending someone or something away, whereas in others, it means to transmit or communicate something to another person or place.

Conjugation of 'envoyer'

Pronoun	Présent (Present)	Passé composé (Past)	Futur simple (Future)
J'}	envoie	j'ai envoyé	je vais envoyer
Tu	envoies	tu as envoyé	tu vas envoyer
Il/Elle/On	envoie	il/elle/on a envoyé	il/elle/on va envoyer
Nous	n'environ	nous avons envoyé	nous allons envoyer
Vous	envoyez	vous avez envoyé	vous allez envoyer
Ils/Elles	envoient	iels/elles vont envoyer

How to Use 'envoyer' in a Sentence

Here are six example sentences that demonstrate the versatility of "envoyer": * J'envoie un email à mon ami pour lui demander de rire. (I'm sending an email to my friend to ask him to laugh.) * Le package est envoyé demain. (The package will be sent tomorrow.) * J'ai envoyé une photo à ma famille hier soir. (I sent a photo to my family last night.) * L'entreprise envoie des employés dans différentes régions pour établir de nouvelles succursales. (The company is sending employees to different regions to establish new branches.) * J'ai envoyé ma candidature pour un poste de responsable marketing. (I sent my application for a marketing manager position.) * Le gouvernement va envoyer des équipes d'intervention pour aider les victimes du désastre. (The government is sending intervention teams to help the victims of the disaster.)

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'envoyer'

Here are four idiomatic French expressions that use the verb "envoyer": * Faire envoyer quelqu'un à la porte means to get rid of someone or dismiss them. (Example: Le patron a décidé de faire envoyer le nouveau employé à la porte.) * Envoyer les épingles au cuir is an idiomatic expression that means to take care of something or put it in order. (Example: J'ai envoyé les épingles au cuir pour que tout soit parfait.) * Faire envoyer le signal d'alarme means to send out a warning or alert. (Example: Le gouvernement a décidé de faire envoyer le signal d'alarme pour prévenir une épidémie.) * Envoyer les balles en l'air is an idiomatic expression that means to give up or abandon something. (Example: J'ai décidé d'envoyer les balles en l'air et de me concentrer sur mon nouveau projet.)

Tips for Remembering 'envoyer'

Here are three memory tricks to help you remember the verb "envoyer": * Associate "envoyer" with sending a letter or package, and think of how it feels to put something in the mail. * Practice conjugating "envoyer" by breaking down the present tense into smaller chunks. Focus on the -io ending for the singular forms (je, tu, il/elle/on) and the -ions ending for the plural forms (nous, vous, ils/elles). * Use flashcards or online resources to practice the different tenses and conjugations of "envoyer". This will help you build muscle memory and improve your ability to use the verb in context. Practice the verb envoyer on My-French.com