arriver/a.ʁi.ve/
verb · A2 · Frequency 130
verb
Meanings
to arrive (often followed by a place)
Subject can be a person, vehicle or thing; often followed by prepositions like à, dans to indicate place.
to happen, to occur
Can take an indirect object to mark who something happens to, and may be followed by a relative clause with the subjunctive.
to manage, to succeed in doing something; to cope
Commonly used with an infinitive (arriver à + inf.) to mean managing to do something or coping with a task.
to achieve success or fame
Often used about career or life to express reaching a notable level of success or renown.
Examples
Nous espérons arriver à Lyon avant midi.
We hope to arrive in Lyon before noon.
Il peut arriver qu'un colis soit livré en retard.
It can happen that a parcel is delivered late.
Avec un peu d'organisation, elle devrait arriver à finir le rapport ce soir.
With a little organization, she should manage to finish the report tonight.
Après plusieurs années de travail, il espère arriver au sommet de son métier.
After several years of work, he hopes to reach the top of his profession.
Collocations
- arriver à la gareto arrive at the station
- arriver à un moment critiqueto happen at a critical moment
- arriver à finir le travailto manage to finish the work
Common mistakes
Il a arrivé à Paris.
Il est arrivé à Paris.
Arriver normally takes être in the compound past, not avoir; with the subject il, the form is il est arrivé.
Related words
Grammar note
Arriver uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses; it is often used with adverbials indicating place.
verb
Meanings
to arrive (often followed by a place)
Subject can be a person, vehicle or thing; often followed by prepositions like à, dans to indicate place.
to happen, to occur
Can take an indirect object to mark who something happens to, and may be followed by a relative clause with the subjunctive.
to manage, to succeed in doing something; to cope
Commonly used with an infinitive (arriver à + inf.) to mean managing to do something or coping with a task.
to achieve success or fame
Often used about career or life to express reaching a notable level of success or renown.
Examples
En arrivant à la gare, elle a appelé son frère.
After arriving at the station, she called her brother.
En arrivant chez lui, Paul a trouvé la porte ouverte.
When Paul arrived home, he found the door open.
En arrivant à résoudre ce problème, l'équipe a gagné du temps.
By managing to solve this problem, the team saved time.
En arrivant à la tête de l'entreprise, elle a lancé plusieurs réformes.
After reaching the top of the company, she introduced several reforms.
Grammar note
Arriver uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses; it is often used with adverbials indicating place.
verb
Meanings
to arrive (often followed by a place)
Subject can be a person, vehicle or thing; often followed by prepositions like à, dans to indicate place.
to happen, to occur
Can take an indirect object to mark who something happens to, and may be followed by a relative clause with the subjunctive.
to manage, to succeed in doing something; to cope
Commonly used with an infinitive (arriver à + inf.) to mean managing to do something or coping with a task.
to achieve success or fame
Often used about career or life to express reaching a notable level of success or renown.
Examples
Paul est arrivé avant le début de la réunion.
Paul arrived before the meeting began.
C'est arrivé sans prévenir.
It happened without warning.
Après trois essais, il y est arrivé.
After three attempts, he managed to do it.
À force de travail, il est arrivé au sommet.
Through hard work, he achieved success.
Collocations
- arriver à la gareto arrive at the station
- arriver à un moment critiqueto happen at a critical moment
- arriver à finir le travailto manage to finish the work
Common mistakes
Il a arrivé à Paris.
Il est arrivé à Paris.
Arriver normally takes être in the compound past, not avoir; with the subject il, the form is il est arrivé.
Related words
Grammar note
Arriver uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses; it is often used with adverbials indicating place.
verb
Meanings
to arrive (often followed by a place)
Subject can be a person, vehicle or thing; often followed by prepositions like à, dans to indicate place.
to happen, to occur
Can take an indirect object to mark who something happens to, and may be followed by a relative clause with the subjunctive.
to manage, to succeed in doing something; to cope
Commonly used with an infinitive (arriver à + inf.) to mean managing to do something or coping with a task.
to achieve success or fame
Often used about career or life to express reaching a notable level of success or renown.
Examples
Le bus arrive devant la mairie à huit heures.
The bus arrives in front of the town hall at eight o'clock.
Il arrive parfois qu'un rendez-vous soit annulé au dernier moment.
Sometimes an appointment is canceled at the last minute.
Malgré la fatigue, il arrive à terminer son rapport avant midi.
Despite being tired, he manages to finish his report before noon.
Après plusieurs années de travail, elle arrive enfin au sommet de son domaine.
After several years of work, she finally reaches the top of her field.
Collocations
- arriver à la gareto arrive at the station
- arriver à un moment critiqueto happen at a critical moment
- arriver à finir le travailto manage to finish the work
Common mistakes
Il a arrivé à Paris.
Il est arrivé à Paris.
Arriver normally takes être in the compound past, not avoir; with the subject il, the form is il est arrivé.
Related words
Grammar note
Arriver uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses; it is often used with adverbials indicating place.
verb
Meanings
to arrive (often followed by a place)
Subject can be a person, vehicle or thing; often followed by prepositions like à, dans to indicate place.
to happen, to occur
Can take an indirect object to mark who something happens to, and may be followed by a relative clause with the subjunctive.
to manage, to succeed in doing something; to cope
Commonly used with an infinitive (arriver à + inf.) to mean managing to do something or coping with a task.
to achieve success or fame
Often used about career or life to express reaching a notable level of success or renown.
Examples
Tu arrives à la gare avant midi.
You arrive at the station before noon.
Tu arrives toujours à l'heure aux rendez-vous.
You always arrive on time for appointments.
Tu arrives à résoudre ce problème sans aide.
You manage to solve this problem without help.
Avec ton talent, tu arrives enfin à te faire connaître.
With your talent, you finally manage to become known.
Grammar note
Arriver uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses; it is often used with adverbials indicating place.