Level B1 (Intermediate)
The French word of the day is the super useful reflexive verb se renseigner, meaning ‘to inquire’, ‘to find out’ and ‘to get information’.
se renseigner – IPS pronunciation /sə ʀɑ̃.se.ɲe/
Word origin
The Modern French verb renseigner combines the prefix re- with the verb enseigner (to teach). Enseigner comes from insignire in Latin, meaning ‘to signal’ or ‘to show’.
Explanation
In the non-reflexive for renseigner means ‘to inform’. For example, “L’hôtesse renseigne son client” (The hostess informs her customer). In the reflexive form, se renseigner translates literally to: ‘to inform oneself’. It can be followed by the prepositions sur (on), auprès de (from) and pour (for).
Se renseigner example sentences
Sylvie va se renseigner avant d’acheter le billet d’avion.
Sylvie is going to get information before buying the plane ticket.
Je voudrais me renseigner sur les horaires des trains à Londres.
I’d like to inquire about the schedule of the trains to London.
Elle va se renseigner auprès de l’office de tourisme.
She’s going to get information from the tourism office.
Je vais me renseigner pour savoir si le magasin est ouvert le dimanche.
I’m going to find out if the store is open on Sundays.
Se renseigner present tense conjugation
Je me renseigne I inquire (find out, get information)
Tu te renseignes You inquire (singular, informal)
Il, elle se renseigne He, she inquires
Nous nous renseignons We inquire
Vous vous renseignez You inquire (plural, formal)
Ils, elles se renseignent They inquire
Continue learning French!
Now that you’ve mastered se reneigner, check out our lesson explaining another useful reflexive verb se tromper (to mistaken, get wrong).
