B2 Collocation Neutral 3 min de lectura

apprécier un structure

to apprécier a structure

Use it to praise the logical organization of a project, building, or complex idea.

En 15 segundos

  • Admiring the organization or design of something.
  • Used for buildings, plans, or logical arguments.
  • Shows you value clarity and intellectual order.

Significado

To recognize and value the way something is organized, built, or designed. It is about admiring the 'bones' or the logic behind a physical object or an abstract plan.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

Discussing a new office building

J'apprécie vraiment la structure de ce nouvel immeuble.

I really appreciate the structure of this new building.

🤝
2

Reviewing a colleague's presentation

On apprécie la structure de votre présentation, c'est très clair.

We appreciate the structure of your presentation; it is very clear.

💼
3

Texting a friend about their travel itinerary

J'apprécie la structure de ton voyage, on va voir plein de choses !

I appreciate the structure of your trip; we are going to see so many things!

😊
🌍

Contexto cultural

In France, the 'plan' is sacred, especially in literature and philosophy. This phrase reflects the French appreciation for 'la clarté' (clarity) and 'la rigueur' (rigor). It became particularly prominent in professional and academic circles where the layout of an idea is as important as the idea itself.

💡

It's not just for buildings

Use this for abstract things like a 'structure de prix' (pricing structure) or 'structure sociale'. It makes you sound very analytical.

⚠️

Gender Trap

Remember: 'Structure' is feminine. Saying 'un structure' is a dead giveaway that you're still learning. Stick with 'la' or 'une'!

En 15 segundos

  • Admiring the organization or design of something.
  • Used for buildings, plans, or logical arguments.
  • Shows you value clarity and intellectual order.

What It Means

Imagine you are looking at a skyscraper. You do not just see the glass windows. You see the steel beams holding it up. Apprécier une structure means you like that 'skeleton.' It is about recognizing how things are organized. You see the logic behind the design. It is not just a gut feeling. It is an intellectual 'thumbs up.' You are saying, 'This is well-built.' It implies you have taken the time to look deeper than the surface.

How To Use It

You use it like any regular verb. Conjugate apprécier to match your subject. For example, J'apprécie la structure de ce projet. It works for physical things like houses. It also works for abstract things like arguments or essays. You can use it in the present tense. You can use it in the past tense. It is a very flexible phrase. Just remember that structure is feminine in French. Always use une or la with it. If you say un structure, a French person might gently wince!

When To Use It

Use it when you want to sound thoughtful. It is perfect for a business meeting. You can use it at an art gallery. It works well when discussing a complex book. If a friend shows you a business plan, use it. It shows you are looking at the details. It shows you value organization. It is a great way to give a deep compliment. It suggests you are a person who values order and clarity.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use it for simple pleasures. If you like a pizza, do not use this phrase. People will think you are analyzing the dough's molecular bond. Avoid it in very emotional moments. If you love someone, do not 'appreciate their structure.' That sounds like you are a robot or a very strange doctor. Keep it for things that are actually built, organized, or planned. Using it for a sunset would also feel a bit too clinical.

Cultural Background

The French education system loves 'le plan.' Students must write essays with a very strict, three-part structure. Because of this, French culture deeply values logic. If something has a clear structure, it is considered 'clear' and 'intelligent.' There is a famous saying: 'What is well conceived is clearly stated.' Apprécier une structure taps into this national love for order. It is a very 'Cartesian' way of thinking, named after the philosopher Descartes.

Common Variations

You might hear saluer la structure. This is even more formal. It means you are 'bowing' to the design. You could also say valider la structure. This is common in office settings. It means the organization is officially 'good' or 'approved.' If you are feeling casual, you might say c'est bien foutu. That is slang for 'it is well-built.' But be careful! Only use that last one with close friends over a beer.

Notas de uso

The phrase is safe for all professional environments. In casual settings, it might sound a bit 'intellectual,' so use it when you actually want to discuss the details of how something is made.

💡

It's not just for buildings

Use this for abstract things like a 'structure de prix' (pricing structure) or 'structure sociale'. It makes you sound very analytical.

⚠️

Gender Trap

Remember: 'Structure' is feminine. Saying 'un structure' is a dead giveaway that you're still learning. Stick with 'la' or 'une'!

💬

The 'Plan' Obsession

If you want to impress a French person, compliment the 'plan' of their argument. They value the way an idea is built almost as much as the idea itself.

Ejemplos

6
#1 Discussing a new office building
🤝

J'apprécie vraiment la structure de ce nouvel immeuble.

I really appreciate the structure of this new building.

Refers to the physical architecture and layout.

#2 Reviewing a colleague's presentation
💼

On apprécie la structure de votre présentation, c'est très clair.

We appreciate the structure of your presentation; it is very clear.

A professional compliment on the logical flow.

#3 Texting a friend about their travel itinerary
😊

J'apprécie la structure de ton voyage, on va voir plein de choses !

I appreciate the structure of your trip; we are going to see so many things!

Casual use for a well-organized plan.

#4 Being ironic about a messy sandwich
😄

J'apprécie la structure... précaire de ce sandwich.

I appreciate the... precarious structure of this sandwich.

Humorous use to point out something that is falling apart.

#5 Talking about family support
💭

Dans les moments difficiles, j'apprécie la structure de notre famille.

In hard times, I appreciate the structure of our family.

Emotional use referring to the support system.

#6 Formal feedback on a thesis
👔

Le jury a su apprécier la structure de votre argumentation.

The jury was able to appreciate the structure of your argument.

Very formal academic context.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct article for 'structure'.

J'apprécie ___ structure de ce livre.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: la

In French, 'structure' is a feminine noun, so it requires 'la' or 'une'.

Which verb fits best for a professional review of a plan?

Nous devons ___ la structure du projet avant de commencer.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: apprécier

'Apprécier' is the logical choice for evaluating or valuing a project's organization.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality of Praising Design

Informal

C'est bien foutu (It's well-built)

Talking about a DIY shelf with a friend.

Neutral

J'apprécie la structure

Discussing a report or a house design.

Formal

Salué la structure architecturale

A professional critique in a journal.

Where to Apprécier une Structure

Apprécier une structure
🏛️

Architecture

Admiring a cathedral's arches.

💼

Business

Reviewing a company reorganization.

📚

Literature

Analyzing a novel's timeline.

🏋️

Fitness

Following a strict workout program.

Preguntas frecuentes

11 preguntas

It is moderately common, especially in professional or creative contexts like au bureau (at the office) or au musée (at the museum).

Only in a medical or artistic context. Otherwise, it sounds very clinical and a bit strange, like you are looking at their bones.

Aimer is a general 'to like' or 'to love.' Apprécier is more about recognizing the value or quality of something specific.

It is neutral to formal. You can use it with your boss or your friends when discussing a serious topic.

Yes! You can apprécier la structure of a symphony or a complex jazz piece.

You can say Je n'apprécie pas la structure or La structure laisse à désirer (The structure leaves much to be desired).

Yes, very often. You can talk about the structure d'une entreprise (the structure of a company).

Absolutely. Developers often apprécient la structure du code (appreciate the code structure).

No, that is a grammatical error. It must be une structure because the word is feminine.

Not exactly for this phrase, but c'est bien foutu is the informal way to say something is well-structured.

Not necessarily. You can appreciate the structure of an argument even if you disagree with the final conclusion.

Frases relacionadas

Bien conçu

Well-designed / Well-conceived

Avoir du sens

To make sense / To be logical

Une architecture solide

A solid architecture (physical or abstract)

Mettre en valeur

To highlight or showcase (often used with structure)

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