assumer une responsabilité
to assume responsibility
Wörtlich: assumer (to take on/shoulder) + une (a) + responsabilité (responsibility)
Use it to show you are taking ownership of a role or a mistake with maturity.
In 15 Sekunden
- Taking full ownership of actions or consequences.
- Stepping up to lead a project or task.
- Admitting fault without making excuses or blaming others.
- A mark of maturity and professional reliability.
Bedeutung
This phrase means taking ownership of a situation or its consequences. It is about stepping up to lead or admitting when you are the one to blame.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6In a job interview
Je suis prêt à assumer une responsabilité importante au sein de votre équipe.
I am ready to assume an important responsibility within your team.
Admitting a mistake to a partner
J'assume l'entière responsabilité de notre dispute d'hier soir.
I assume full responsibility for our argument last night.
Texting a friend about a bold outfit
C'est un style particulier, mais j'assume !
It's a unique style, but I'm owning it!
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is deeply rooted in the French Republican ideal of individual duty. It gained significant weight in political discourse during the 20th century as a mark of integrity. Interestingly, the short version 'j'assume' has become a trendy way for younger generations to express self-confidence in their unconventional choices.
The False Friend Trap
Never use 'assumer' to mean 'to suppose' or 'to guess'. If you want to say 'I assume you're coming,' use 'Je suppose que tu viens.' Using 'assumer' there makes no sense in French!
The Power of 'J'assume'
If someone criticizes your weird hobby or outfit, just shrug and say 'J'assume.' It's a powerful way to end the conversation with confidence. It means 'I know it's weird, and I don't care!'
In 15 Sekunden
- Taking full ownership of actions or consequences.
- Stepping up to lead a project or task.
- Admitting fault without making excuses or blaming others.
- A mark of maturity and professional reliability.
What It Means
Imagine you are the captain of a ship. When things go well, you lead. When things go wrong, you own the mistake. That is exactly what assumer une responsabilité feels like. It is more than just doing a job. It is about accepting the weight of the outcome. In French, this phrase carries a sense of maturity. It means you are not running away from your duties. You are standing tall and saying, "This is on me."
How To Use It
You use this phrase just like a regular -er verb. Conjugate assumer to match your subject. You can use it with specific nouns. For example, you can assumer la responsabilité d'un projet. You can also use it for mistakes. If you broke a window, you assumes la responsabilité. It sounds very grounded and serious. You can add adverbs like pleinement (fully) to show total commitment. It is a very versatile tool for your vocabulary.
When To Use It
Use this in professional settings frequently. It shows your boss you are reliable. Use it in your personal life during serious talks. If you and a friend have a conflict, use it to apologize. It works well when discussing parenting or civic duties. You might hear it on the news often. Politicians love to talk about assumer leurs responsabilités. It is the language of leaders and adults. Use it whenever the stakes feel real.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for small, trivial things. Don't say it for taking out the trash. That sounds way too dramatic! Also, watch out for the English "to assume." In English, that often means "to guess." In French, assumer never means to guess. If you mean "I assume you are tired," use je suppose. Using assumer there will confuse everyone. It will sound like you are taking charge of their tiredness!
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on "le sens du devoir" (sense of duty). From a young age, people are taught to be accountable. This phrase is a pillar of French civic life. It reflects the Cartesian logic of being responsible for one's own actions. In French history, leaders who assument are respected. It is seen as a sign of character and "grandeur." It is not just a phrase; it is a personality trait.
Common Variations
You will often hear prendre ses responsabilités. This is slightly more active, like "stepping up." Another variation is revendiquer la responsabilité. This is used when someone claims credit for an action. You might also hear décliner toute responsabilité. This is the opposite, meaning "I am not responsible." Finally, j'assume is a short, modern way to say "I own it."
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is neutral but leans formal in professional settings. Be careful not to use it as a translation for the English 'to assume' (meaning to suppose).
The False Friend Trap
Never use 'assumer' to mean 'to suppose' or 'to guess'. If you want to say 'I assume you're coming,' use 'Je suppose que tu viens.' Using 'assumer' there makes no sense in French!
The Power of 'J'assume'
If someone criticizes your weird hobby or outfit, just shrug and say 'J'assume.' It's a powerful way to end the conversation with confidence. It means 'I know it's weird, and I don't care!'
The Political 'Mea Culpa'
In French politics, saying 'J'assume' is a classic move to stop a scandal. It signals that the person is taking the hit so the rest of the party doesn't have to.
Beispiele
6Je suis prêt à assumer une responsabilité importante au sein de votre équipe.
I am ready to assume an important responsibility within your team.
This shows ambition and readiness for leadership.
J'assume l'entière responsabilité de notre dispute d'hier soir.
I assume full responsibility for our argument last night.
Using 'entière' adds a layer of sincere apology.
C'est un style particulier, mais j'assume !
It's a unique style, but I'm owning it!
Shortened version used to show confidence in one's choices.
En tant que manager, je dois assumer la responsabilité de cet échec.
As a manager, I must assume responsibility for this failure.
A classic way to show professional integrity.
Personne ne veut assumer la responsabilité des clés disparues ?
Does nobody want to take responsibility for the missing keys?
Using a formal phrase for a silly domestic problem.
Adopter un chien, c'est assumer une responsabilité quotidienne.
Adopting a dog means taking on a daily responsibility.
Refers to the ongoing commitment of pet ownership.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence.
Il est temps que tu ___ tes responsabilités.
The sentence means 'It is time you take your responsibilities.' 'Assumes' is the correct verb for taking ownership.
Complete the professional statement.
Notre entreprise ___ la responsabilité de la sécurité des données.
In a corporate context, 'assume' is the standard way to say the company takes charge of a duty.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Assumer'
Short, punchy, used for personal style or choices.
J'assume mon look.
Standard use for work or life events.
J'assume ma part du travail.
Very formal, often used in legal or official statements.
Le ministre assume l'entière responsabilité.
Where to use 'Assumer une responsabilité'
At the Office
Leading a new project.
With Family
Taking care of an elderly relative.
After a Mistake
Admitting you forgot an appointment.
Social Media
Owning an unpopular opinion.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, that is a common mistake for English speakers. Use supposer for guessing and assumer for taking responsibility.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends, though the context changes how serious it feels.
Yes! You can assumer a promotion or a leadership role. It's about ownership, not just blame.
Prendre is the act of taking it on, while assumer often implies dealing with the long-term consequences.
Simply say J'assume. It is the perfect equivalent for owning your choices or mistakes.
Yes, you will often see phrases like décliner toute responsabilité in contracts to mean the company isn't liable.
It sounds a bit too dramatic for chores. Instead of assumer la vaisselle, just say je m'occupe de la vaisselle.
The opposite is fuir ses responsabilités, which means to run away from your duties.
Usually, you assumer something directly (e.g., assumer les conséquences), but you can also use it alone: J'assume.
Yes, it is a regular -er verb, so it follows the same conjugation pattern as parler or manger.
Verwandte Redewendungen
prendre ses responsabilités
être responsable de
faire face à
revendiquer un acte
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