commettre une erreur
to make a mistake
Literalmente: to commit a mistake
Use this phrase to professionally and clearly take responsibility for a mistake in any serious context.
En 15 segundos
- The standard, slightly formal way to admit you made a mistake.
- Uses the verb 'commettre' which conjugates exactly like 'mettre'.
- Perfect for work, official business, and sincere personal apologies.
Significado
This phrase is the standard way to say you've messed up or done something wrong. It is slightly more formal than just saying 'oops' and implies taking responsibility for the slip-up.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6In a professional meeting
Je crains d'avoir commis une erreur dans les calculs.
I'm afraid I made a mistake in the calculations.
Texting a friend about a typo
Désolé, j'ai commis une erreur de frappe dans mon dernier message.
Sorry, I made a typo in my last message.
Admitting a social blunder
J'ai commis l'erreur de l'inviter sans te demander.
I made the mistake of inviting him without asking you.
Contexto cultural
In France, the education system is quite strict about errors, often focusing on what went wrong to improve. Using 'commettre' instead of 'faire' elevates the mistake from a simple accident to a recognized action, which is highly respected in professional French etiquette.
The 'Mettre' Trick
If you know how to conjugate `mettre` (to put), you already know `commettre`. Just add 'com-' to the front!
Don't use with 'Faire'
While you can say `faire une erreur`, never say `commettre un gâteau`. `Commettre` is only for negative things or faults.
En 15 segundos
- The standard, slightly formal way to admit you made a mistake.
- Uses the verb 'commettre' which conjugates exactly like 'mettre'.
- Perfect for work, official business, and sincere personal apologies.
What It Means
Think of this as the 'grown-up' way to admit a fault. While English speakers 'make' mistakes, the French often 'commit' them. It sounds a bit heavy, doesn't it? Don't worry, it's not just for crimes. It covers everything from a typo in an email to a wrong turn while driving. It suggests an action was taken that resulted in an error. It is clear, direct, and very common in adult life.
How To Use It
You need to conjugate the verb commettre. It follows the same pattern as the verb mettre (to put). So, you will say je commets, tu commets, or j'ai commis in the past. Pair it with une erreur and you are ready. You can add adjectives like grave (serious) or petite (small) to describe the mistake. It fits perfectly in sentences where you are explaining what went wrong. Just remember that commettre is the action and erreur is the result.
When To Use It
Use this in professional settings or serious conversations. It is perfect for a meeting when a report has the wrong numbers. Use it with your bank if they charged you twice. It works well when you are being sincere and want to sound responsible. If you are writing an apology letter, this is your best friend. It shows you recognize the specific act of failing. It is the 'safe' choice for most situations where you aren't with your best friends.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this for very silly, tiny things with close friends. If you drop your toast, don't say you 'commis une erreur.' That sounds way too dramatic! For small, clumsy moments, use faire une bêtise instead. Also, don't use it for 'making' things like cake or coffee. That is always faire. This phrase is strictly for faults, blunders, and incorrect actions. If you use it while joking, it might sound like you are being mock-serious.
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on precision and 'la rigueur' (rigor). Admitting you 'committed' an error is seen as a sign of integrity. It shows you understand the mechanics of the mistake. Historically, commettre comes from Latin, meaning to join or bring together. In modern French, it implies you are the author of the act. It is a linguistic way of 'owning' your actions. It reflects a society that values clear accountability in public and professional life.
Common Variations
The most common alternative is faire une erreur. This is much more frequent in casual conversation. If you want to sound very formal, you might hear commettre un impair. This refers to a social blunder or a 'faux pas.' In slang, you might hear someone say they made a boulette. That is like saying you 'bombed' it or made a 'goof.' Stick to commettre une erreur for work, and you will always sound polished.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral to slightly formal. It is perfectly acceptable in all professional and academic environments, but might feel slightly stiff in very relaxed settings with close family.
The 'Mettre' Trick
If you know how to conjugate `mettre` (to put), you already know `commettre`. Just add 'com-' to the front!
Don't use with 'Faire'
While you can say `faire une erreur`, never say `commettre un gâteau`. `Commettre` is only for negative things or faults.
The 'Erreur' vs 'Faute' Debate
In French, an `erreur` is usually technical or accidental, while a `faute` often implies a moral or rule-breaking failure. Use `erreur` to be safer!
Ejemplos
6Je crains d'avoir commis une erreur dans les calculs.
I'm afraid I made a mistake in the calculations.
Using 'je crains' (I fear) makes the admission even more polite.
Désolé, j'ai commis une erreur de frappe dans mon dernier message.
Sorry, I made a typo in my last message.
A 'mistake of typing' is the standard term for a typo.
J'ai commis l'erreur de l'inviter sans te demander.
I made the mistake of inviting him without asking you.
This shows the speaker recognizes their specific wrong action.
J'ai commis l'erreur fatale de faire les courses quand j'avais faim.
I made the fatal mistake of grocery shopping while hungry.
Adding 'fatale' adds a touch of humorous drama.
Vous avez commis une petite erreur sur l'addition, je pense.
You made a small mistake on the bill, I think.
Using 'commis' sounds polite and objective rather than accusatory.
Notre entreprise a commis une erreur logistique indépendante de notre volonté.
Our company made a logistical error beyond our control.
Very formal language used in corporate communications.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct past tense form of the verb to complete the sentence.
Pardon, j'___ commis une erreur de débutant.
The verb 'commettre' uses 'avoir' as its auxiliary verb in the passé composé.
Complete the phrase with the correct noun.
Il ne faut pas commettre la même ___ deux fois.
'Erreur' is the standard noun used with 'commettre' in this context.
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Ayudas visuales
Ways to say 'I made a mistake'
Very informal, used with close friends.
J'ai fait une boulette.
Everyday spoken French.
J'ai fait une erreur.
Standard, polite, and clear.
J'ai commis une erreur.
High-level literature or legal contexts.
J'ai commis un impair.
Where to use 'commettre une erreur'
At the Office
Reporting a bug in the code.
Customer Service
Correcting a billing issue.
Driving
Taking the wrong exit.
Relationships
Forgetting an important date.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIn spoken conversation, faire une erreur is more common because it is simpler. However, commettre une erreur is very frequent in writing and professional settings.
Yes, you can say une erreur de frappe. It sounds a bit more precise than saying you just 'made a mistake'.
Use the auxiliary verb avoir and the past participle commis. For example: J'ai commis une erreur.
It is not rude, but it is very direct. Adding je pense (I think) or il me semble (it seems to me) softens the blow.
An erreur is an accidental slip, like 2+2=5. A faute often implies breaking a rule, like a foul in sports or a moral failing.
Absolutely. It sounds professional and shows you have a good command of formal French vocabulary.
Yes, commettre is almost always paired with negative nouns like erreur, crime, or infraction.
Yes, the most common slang term for making a mistake is faire une boulette or faire une gaffe.
You can say J'ai commis une grave erreur or J'ai commis une grosse erreur.
It means an 'error of judgment.' It is a common way to use the phrase when you made a bad decision.
Frases relacionadas
faire une gaffe
se tromper
faire une bêtise
commettre un impair
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