plaire/ply/
verb · A2 · Frequency 242
verb
Meanings
to please, to appeal to (usually translated into English as like with exchange of subject and object)
Typically used to express that something or someone pleases or appeals to another; the subject is the thing that pleases, and the object is the person who likes it.
Examples
Ce film devrait plaire aux enfants comme aux adultes.
This film should appeal to both children and adults.
Cette solution peut plaire à toute l'équipe.
This solution may appeal to the whole team.
Elle fait attention à sa tenue parce qu'elle veut plaire à ses collègues.
She pays attention to her outfit because she wants to be liked by her colleagues.
Grammar note
plaire à quelqu'un: the subject is the person or thing that pleases, and the person who likes is introduced by à.
verb
Meanings
to please, to appeal to (usually translated into English as like with exchange of subject and object)
Typically used to express that something or someone pleases or appeals to another; the subject is the thing that pleases, and the object is the person who likes it.
Examples
Ce film devrait plaire aux enfants comme aux adultes.
This film should appeal to both children and adults.
Cette solution peut plaire à toute l'équipe.
This solution may appeal to the whole team.
Elle fait attention à sa tenue parce qu'elle veut plaire à ses collègues.
She pays attention to her outfit because she wants to be liked by her colleagues.
Collocations
- plaire à quelqu’unto appeal to someone
- se plaire à Paristo enjoy living in Paris
Common mistakes
Je plaît à Marie.
Je plais à Marie.
The first-person singular present form of plaire is plais, not plaît; plaît is the third-person singular form.
Related words
antonymdéplaireto be displeasing to someone, to not appeal to someone
Grammar note
plaire à quelqu'un: the subject is the person or thing that pleases, and the person who likes is introduced by à.
verb
Meanings
to please, to appeal to (usually translated into English as like with exchange of subject and object)
Typically used to express that something or someone pleases or appeals to another; the subject is the thing that pleases, and the object is the person who likes it.
Examples
En plaisant aux enfants, ce spectacle attire aussi leurs parents.
By pleasing children, this show also attracts their parents.
En plaisant à ses collègues, la nouvelle responsable gagne rapidement leur confiance.
By being liked by her colleagues, the new manager quickly gains their trust.
En plaisant au public, cette exposition prolonge sa durée.
By pleasing the public, this exhibition is extended.
Grammar note
plaire à quelqu'un: the subject is the person or thing that pleases, and the person who likes is introduced by à.
verb
Meanings
to please, to appeal to (usually translated into English as like with exchange of subject and object)
Typically used to express that something or someone pleases or appeals to another; the subject is the thing that pleases, and the object is the person who likes it.
Examples
Ce film m'a plu des la premiere scene.
I liked this film from the very first scene.
Son humour a plu aux invites.
His sense of humor was liked by the guests.
La proposition a plu a toute l'equipe.
The proposal appealed to the whole team.
Grammar note
plaire à quelqu'un: the subject is the person or thing that pleases, and the person who likes is introduced by à.
verb
Meanings
to please, to appeal to (usually translated into English as like with exchange of subject and object)
Typically used to express that something or someone pleases or appeals to another; the subject is the thing that pleases, and the object is the person who likes it.
Examples
Plais à tes invités en leur proposant un dessert fait maison.
Please your guests by offering them a homemade dessert.
Je plais facilement aux enfants grâce à mon sens de l'humour.
Children tend to like me because of my sense of humor.
Je plais à mes collègues quand je reste calme sous pression.
My colleagues like me when I stay calm under pressure.
Grammar note
plaire à quelqu'un: the subject is the person or thing that pleases, and the person who likes is introduced by à.
verb
Meanings
to please, to appeal to (usually translated into English as like with exchange of subject and object)
Typically used to express that something or someone pleases or appeals to another; the subject is the thing that pleases, and the object is the person who likes it.
Examples
Ce film plaît à toute la famille.
This film pleases the whole family.
Léa plaît à ses collègues par sa gentillesse.
Léa is liked by her colleagues because of her kindness.
Cette proposition plaît au comité.
This proposal appeals to the committee.
Collocations
- plaire à quelqu’unto appeal to someone
- se plaire à Paristo enjoy living in Paris
Common mistakes
Je plaît à Marie.
Je plais à Marie.
The first-person singular present form of plaire is plais, not plaît; plaît is the third-person singular form.
Related words
antonymdéplaireto be displeasing to someone, to not appeal to someone
Grammar note
plaire à quelqu'un: the subject is the person or thing that pleases, and the person who likes is introduced by à.