This lesson covers the commonly used reflexive verb se débrouiller, meaning “to get by” and “to manage”. It’s often used in the context of getting by in languages. In the non-reflexive from, débrouiller means both “to untangle”.

se débrouiller [se debʀuje] – to get by, manage

Se débrouiller: To get by, to manage

Level: B1 (intermediate)

Example sentences

The most common usage of se débrouiller that you’re most likely to hear is in the context languages.

Thomas se débrouille très bien en français.

Thomas gets by very in French.

Here’s another similar example:

Je ne parle pas couramment, mais je me débrouille plus ou moins.

I don’t speak fluently, but I get by more or less.

Another common usage of se débrouiller is in the context of figuring things out.

Si tu as un problème, débrouille-toi tout seul !

If you have a problem, figure it out yourself!

A fun usage is the informal expression système D, which is basically short for système débrouiller or “system figure it out”.

Personne ne m’aide. Alors, c’est système D cette fois !

Nobody is helping me. So, I’ll figure it out myself this time!

Conjugation

Se débrouiller is a regular ER verb. This means that its endings follow the same pattern as parler (to speak) when conjugated in the present tense.

Je me débrouille I get by, manage
Tu te débrouilles You get buy, manage (singular, familiar)
Il/elle/on se débrouille He/she/one gets by, manages
Nous nous débrouillons We get by, mange
Vous vous débrouillez You get by, manage (plural, formal)
Ils/elles se débrouillent They get by

Related terms and expressions

• S’en sortir: To manage, to get by, to cope
• Se tirer d’affaire: To get out of a tricky situation
• Se dépanner: To get by, find a solution
• Trouver une solution: To find a solution
• Faire face (à): To face a situation or to cope with
• Se débrouiller comme un chef: To manage well

Complete French course

À Moi Paris (FrenchToday)

More reflexive verbs

• Se tromper – to mistaken
• S’en aller – To leave, to go, to be off
• S’occuper – to take care of
• Se méfier – To be wary of

References

• WordReference

Word of the Day archive | Lessons by David Issokson

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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