prendre une décision
to make a decision
字面意思: to take a decision
Use `prendre une décision` to show you have finished thinking and are ready to act.
15秒了解
- Always use 'prendre', never 'faire' to avoid sounding like a tourist.
- Works for everything from choosing pizza to changing your career.
- Signals the end of a debate and the start of action.
意思
This phrase describes the act of reaching a conclusion or making a choice after thinking about it. It is the moment you stop weighing options and finally commit to one path.
关键例句
3 / 6At a restaurant with a long menu
Je n'arrive pas à prendre une décision, tout a l'air bon !
I can't make a decision, everything looks good!
In a professional board meeting
Nous devons prendre une décision stratégique avant lundi.
We must make a strategic decision before Monday.
Texting a friend about a party
Alors, tu as pris une décision pour ce soir ?
So, have you made a decision for tonight?
文化背景
In French culture, decision-making is often a collective and intellectual process involving much discussion. The use of the verb 'prendre' (to take) rather than 'make' suggests that the decision is something out there to be seized once the logic is clear. It reflects a certain Cartesian approach to life where logic leads to a definitive 'taking' of a path.
The 'Faire' Trap
English speakers always want to say 'faire une décision'. Resist the urge! If you say 'faire', people will understand you, but you'll sound like a textbook translation.
The Power of Adjectives
To sound more native, use 'une décision ferme' (a firm decision) or 'une décision de dernière minute' (a last-minute decision).
15秒了解
- Always use 'prendre', never 'faire' to avoid sounding like a tourist.
- Works for everything from choosing pizza to changing your career.
- Signals the end of a debate and the start of action.
What It Means
Think of this as the 'finish line' of thinking. You have options, you weigh them, and then you 'take' one. In English, we 'make' decisions, but in French, you 'take' them. It implies grabbing an opportunity or a path and holding onto it. It is a very common, everyday phrase.
How To Use It
You conjugate the verb prendre just like you normally would. If you are talking about the past, use j'ai pris. If you are talking to a friend, say tu dois prendre. Always keep the noun décision feminine. You can add adjectives like difficile or importante right after décision. It is like building a Lego set; the pieces fit together perfectly every time.
When To Use It
Use it whenever a choice is involved. Use it at a restaurant when the waiter is staring at you. Use it in a business meeting when the boss wants an answer. Use it when texting a friend about which movie to see. It works for big life changes and tiny daily choices alike. It is the ultimate Swiss Army knife of French collocations.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use the verb faire here. Saying faire une décision is a classic 'Anglicisme' that will make a Frenchman's eye twitch. Also, if you are just picking between two simple things like 'red or blue,' you might just use the verb choisir. Prendre une décision feels a bit more formal or deliberate than just picking a color. Don't use it for involuntary actions, like 'deciding' to sneeze.
Cultural Background
French culture often values 'le débat' (the debate). People love to discuss every angle of a problem before finally 'taking' the decision. Because of this, the phrase carries a bit of weight. It signals the end of the talking phase and the start of the action phase. In French history, 'taking' something (like the Bastille) is a powerful image of seizing control.
Common Variations
You will often hear prendre une décision hâtive for a snap judgment. Or prendre une décision mûrement réfléchie for something you thought about for ages. If you are struggling, you might say j'ai du mal à prendre une décision. If you are the boss, you might say la décision est prise, meaning the matter is closed. It is a very flexible expression.
使用说明
This is a neutral collocation suitable for all registers. The most important thing to remember is the verb-noun pairing: 'prendre' + 'décision'.
The 'Faire' Trap
English speakers always want to say 'faire une décision'. Resist the urge! If you say 'faire', people will understand you, but you'll sound like a textbook translation.
The Power of Adjectives
To sound more native, use 'une décision ferme' (a firm decision) or 'une décision de dernière minute' (a last-minute decision).
The Art of Hesitation
French people often use filler words like 'Euh...' or 'Alors...' before saying they've taken a decision. It shows you've actually thought about it!
例句
6Je n'arrive pas à prendre une décision, tout a l'air bon !
I can't make a decision, everything looks good!
A very common way to express indecision in a casual setting.
Nous devons prendre une décision stratégique avant lundi.
We must make a strategic decision before Monday.
Shows how the phrase fits perfectly in a formal, high-stakes environment.
Alors, tu as pris une décision pour ce soir ?
So, have you made a decision for tonight?
Uses the 'passé composé' to ask about a completed choice.
C'est ta vie, c'est à toi de prendre une décision.
It's your life, it's up to you to make a decision.
Used here to convey responsibility and weight.
Mon chat a pris la décision de me réveiller à 4h du matin.
My cat made the decision to wake me up at 4 a.m.
Personifying an animal for a bit of humor.
Prendre une décision pareille n'est jamais facile.
Making a decision like that is never easy.
Reflects the gravity of a tough life choice.
自我测试
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'prendre'.
Est-ce que vous avez ___ une décision pour vos vacances ?
In French, we 'take' (prendre) a decision. The past participle of 'prendre' is 'pris'.
Choose the most natural adjective to complete the phrase.
C'est une décision ___ à prendre.
'Difficile' (difficult) is a common adjective used to describe a tough decision.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of Choosing
Using 'se décider' or just 'choisir'.
Décide-toi !
The standard way to express making a choice.
Prendre une décision.
Using high-level verbs like 'arrêter'.
Arrêter une décision.
Where to 'Take' a Decision
At the Boulangerie
Croissant or Éclair?
At the Office
Hiring a new candidate.
In a Relationship
Moving in together.
On a Website
Clicking 'Buy Now'.
常见问题
12 个问题No, that is a direct translation from English and is considered incorrect in French. You must always use the verb prendre.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandmother, or your best friend without it sounding out of place.
You use the passé composé: J'ai pris une décision. Note that pris is the past participle of prendre.
Choisir is simply 'to choose' (like picking a shirt). Prendre une décision implies a more deliberate process of reaching a conclusion.
Yes, but it might sound slightly dramatic. For small things, French people often just say Je vais prendre... (I will take...).
You can say C'est une décision difficile à prendre. The adjective difficile usually comes after the noun.
Not exactly, but you might hear trancher which literally means 'to slice', used to mean making a final, sharp decision.
You can say Je n'arrive pas à me décider or Je n'arrive pas à prendre une décision.
Yes, it is always une décision. So any adjectives must be in the feminine form, like une bonne décision.
Absolutely. It's very common to text something like Tiens-moi au courant quand tu auras pris une décision (Let me know when you've decided).
It means making a 'hasty' or rushed decision without thinking it through properly.
Yes, it is standard French and is used across all French-speaking countries, including Canada and parts of Africa.
相关表达
faire un choix (to make a choice)
se décider (to make up one's mind)
trancher (to decide/settle a matter)
peser le pour et le contre (to weigh the pros and cons)
评论 (0)
登录后评论免费开始学习语言
免费开始学习