devenir/də.v(ə).niʁ/
verb / noun · A2 · Frequency 277
verb
Meanings
to become
Indicates a change of state or identity, usually without a direct object.
to come to be
Emphasizes the process or result of gradually reaching a certain state or identity.
Examples
Avec le temps, la chenille va devenir un papillon.
With time, the caterpillar will become a butterfly.
Cette petite graine peut devenir un grand arbre.
This small seed can become a large tree.
Elle rêve de devenir médecin depuis son enfance.
She has dreamed of becoming a doctor since childhood.
Collocations
- devenir adulteto become an adult
- devenir célèbreto come to be famous
Common mistakes
Il a devenu adulte.
Il est devenu adulte.
The verb devenir takes être, not avoir, in compound tenses; the subject and past participle remain unchanged.
Related words
Grammar note
The verb devenir uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses.
nounmasculine
Meanings
future
Refers to the time yet to come, often used in philosophical or literary contexts.
fate, destiny, outcome
Refers to the fate or outcome of a person or thing, commonly used in literary and everyday expressions.
Examples
Le devenir de cette invention dépendra de son coût.
The future of this invention will depend on its cost.
Les chercheurs débattent du devenir de la ville après la fermeture de l'usine.
Researchers are debating the future of the city after the factory closed.
Le roman raconte le devenir d'un jeune artisan confronté à la crise.
The novel tells the story of a young craftsperson's future as they face the crisis.
Collocations
- le devenir d’une sociététhe future of a society
- le devenir d’un projetthe fate of a project
Common mistakes
le devenir
le futur
‘devenir’ as a noun is often mistakenly used as a synonym for ‘future’, but ‘futur’ is more common and accurate.
le devenir de quelqu'un est fixé
le destin de quelqu'un est fixé
When ‘devenir’ means ‘fate’, it is often confused with ‘destin’; ‘destin’ is more commonly used to express fate.
Related words
synonymavenirfuture
synonymsortfate
verb
Meanings
to become
Indicates a change of state or identity, usually without a direct object.
to come to be
Emphasizes the process or result of gradually reaching a certain state or identity.
Examples
Devenant plus autonome, l'enfant a commencé à préparer ses repas seul.
As he became more independent, the child began preparing his own meals.
La petite entreprise a grandi, devenant un acteur important du secteur.
The small company grew, becoming an important player in the sector.
Elle a accepté de nouvelles responsabilités, devenant peu à peu la responsable de l'équipe.
She took on new responsibilities, gradually becoming the team leader.
Grammar note
The verb devenir uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to become
Indicates a change of state or identity, usually without a direct object.
to come to be
Emphasizes the process or result of gradually reaching a certain state or identity.
Examples
Le petit village est devenu une destination très appréciée des randonneurs.
The small village has become a destination highly appreciated by hikers.
Après plusieurs années de formation, il est devenu un artisan reconnu.
After several years of training, he became a respected craftsman.
Le projet est devenu plus simple après la réorganisation de l'équipe.
The project became simpler after the team was reorganized.
Collocations
- devenir adulteto become an adult
- devenir célèbreto come to be famous
Common mistakes
Il a devenu adulte.
Il est devenu adulte.
The verb devenir takes être, not avoir, in compound tenses; the subject and past participle remain unchanged.
Related words
Grammar note
The verb devenir uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses.
verb
Meanings
to become
Indicates a change of state or identity, usually without a direct object.
to come to be
Emphasizes the process or result of gradually reaching a certain state or identity.
Examples
Je deviens plus patient avec l'expérience.
I become more patient with experience.
Tu deviens rapidement un membre essentiel de l'équipe.
You quickly become an essential member of the team.
Quand je lis davantage, je deviens plus critique.
The more I read, the more critical I become.
Grammar note
The verb devenir uses the auxiliary verb être in compound tenses.