verb

mettre

put · set

C’est placer quelque chose à un endroit ou dans une position.

The French verb "mettre" means "to put," "to place," or "to put on" and is very common and versatile in everyday French. It belongs to the third group of verbs (irregular verbs ending in -re).

Basic meaning:

To put something somewhere:
Mettre un livre sur la table – "to put a book on the table."
To put on clothes or accessories:
Mettre un manteau – "to put on a coat."
To turn on a device or start something:
Mettre la radio – "to turn on the radio."

Other extended meanings:

To set a time or appointment:
Mettre un rendez-vous – "to make/arrange an appointment."
To spend time (with some expressions):
Mettre du temps à faire quelque chose – "to take time to do something."
To give or assign (a grade, penalty, or price):
Mettre une note – "to give (assign) a grade."

Synonyms and differences:

Poser: also means "to put" or "to place," but is more about carefully putting something down on a surface (e.g., poser un vase sur la table). "Mettre" is more general.
Placer: means "to place" more deliberately or precisely (e.g., placer un objet).
Endosser/enfiler: specifically mean "to put on" clothes or accessories. These are more precise than "mettre" for clothing.
Allumer: to turn on (devices or lights). "Mettre" can be used too (e.g., mettre la télé), but "allumer" directly means "to switch on."

Summary:

"Mettre" is a very versatile, essential verb meaning mostly "to put or place" and "to put on." Its use goes beyond simple physical placement, extending into idiomatic and figurative expressions. Its synonyms tend to be more specific according to context.