gérer

Definition & meaning

The French verb gérer primarily means "to manage" or "to handle." Depending on the context, it carries several nuances:

1. Administrative or Professional Management: This refers to the act of administering a business, a project, a budget, or a team. It involves making decisions, organizing resources, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
2. Handling Situations or Emotions: In a more personal or psychological context, it means to deal with or cope with something, such as stress, a crisis, or a difficult relationship. It implies maintaining control over a situation.
3. Modern Informal Usage: In casual French, gérer is often used to mean "to do well" or "to have things under control." For example, if someone performs a task perfectly, a friend might say "Tu gères !" which translates roughly to "You've got this!" or "You're killing it!"

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: Gérer is a first-group verb (ending in -er). It follows a specific spelling rule common to verbs with an "é" in the penultimate syllable: the acute accent (é) changes to a grave accent (è) when the following syllable contains a silent "e." For example:

• Je gère (I manage)
• Nous gérons (We manage)

Word origin: The word is derived from the Latin verb gerere, which means "to carry," "to conduct," or "to perform." This Latin root is also found in English words like "gesture" or "digest."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Administrer ↗: To administer or manage a structured entity.
• Diriger ↗: To lead or direct a group or project.
• Organiser ↗: To organize or arrange.
• Maîtriser ↗: To master or have full control over a topic or situation.
• Assumer ↗: To take responsibility for or to handle a burden.

Antonyms:

• Négliger ↗: To neglect or fail to care for something.
• Subir ↗: To suffer or be subjected to a situation without controlling it.
• Gâcher ↗: To waste or spoil something through poor management.
• Abandonner ↗: To give up or abandon a responsibility.