Mettre is undoubtedly the most common way to say “to put” in French, a verb you'll use constantly in daily conversation. But this versatile verb has many shades of meaning, and French offers several other excellent options to express different contexts.

From placing an object to putting on clothes, or even putting an idea into words, mastering these alternatives will make your French sound much more natural and precise. Let's explore 9 different ways to say “to put” in French and discover when to use each one!

The most common and general 'to put' – mettre

The most common and general 'to put' – mettre

Mettre is the most versatile and commonly used French verb for 'to put', 'to place', or 'to set'.

Its primary function is to describe the action of physically placing something somewhere. Think of it as the go-to verb when you're moving an object from one location to another.

As a frequently used verb, it's important to note that mettre is an irregular verb, so its conjugation does not follow a simple pattern. You'll need to learn its specific forms.

Beyond simple placement, mettre is also extensively used to say 'to put on' or 'to wear' clothing. For example, you mettez a coat when you go outside.

Another very common usage is in the idiomatic phrase mettre la table, which directly translates to 'to set the table'.

It can also mean 'to turn on' or 'to switch on' a device, often seen in phrases like mettre en marche (to start up/turn on) or mettre la radio (to turn on the radio).

The broad applicability of mettre makes it an essential verb in French. From arranging items to initiating actions, its uses are widespread and diverse.

The reflexive form, se mettre, has its own set of meanings, such as 'to start doing something' (se mettre à faire quelque chose) or 'to put oneself' somewhere.

Mastering mettre and its various contexts will significantly enhance your ability to express actions related to placement, attire, and initiation in French.

💡 * Je mets le livre sur la table. (I put the book on the table.)

• Elle met sa veste. (She puts on her jacket / She wears her jacket.)
• Nous mettons la table pour le dîner. (We are setting the table for dinner.)
• Tu peux mettre la musique, s'il te plaît ? (Can you turn on the music, please?)
• Ils se sont mis à rire. (They started to laugh.)

To place, to set down (implies placing on a surface) – poser

The verb poser means "to place" or "to set down," specifically implying that something is being put onto a surface.

At its core, poser conveys the action of putting an object in a specific spot, usually on something. Think of it as carefully placing something down rather than just "putting" it generally.

You'll frequently hear poser used for everyday actions like placing your keys on a table, setting your bag down on the floor, or putting a book on a shelf. It emphasizes the physical act of depositing an item.

While mettre is a more general verb meaning "to put," poser is more precise, often implying a gentler or more deliberate action of placing something on a surface. For instance, you might mettre your coat in a closet, but poser your hat on a hat rack.

Poser also has important figurative uses. One very common phrase is poser une question, which means "to ask a question." Here, the idea is "to lay down" a question before someone.

Another familiar figurative use is poser pour une photo or poser pour un portrait, meaning "to pose for a photo" or "to pose for a portrait." The subject "places" themselves in a specific posture.

💡 * Je pose mes clés sur la table. (I place my keys on the table.)

• Elle a posé son sac par terre. (She set her bag down on the floor.)
• N'oublie pas de poser ce livre sur l'étagère. (Don't forget to put this book on the shelf.)
• Le journaliste a posé une question difficile. (The journalist asked a difficult question.)
• Voulez-vous poser pour la photo? (Do you want to pose for the photo?)

To position, to arrange (implies careful placement) – placer

The verb placer is a common French verb that means to place, to position, or to arrange.

Unlike simply mettre (to put), placer often implies a more deliberate, careful, or specific positioning of something.

Placer is a regular -er verb, but it has a spelling particularity: the 'c' changes to 'ç' before 'o' or 'a' to maintain the 's' sound. For example, nous plaçons (we place).

You will frequently use placer when talking about physically putting an object in a particular spot. Think of placing a book on a shelf or a painting on a wall.

Placer can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as placing trust (placer sa confiance) or placing an advertisement (placer une annonce).

💡 * Elle a placé le vase au centre de la table. (She placed the vase in the center of the table.)

• Nous plaçons nos espoirs en l'avenir. (We place our hopes in the future.)
• Il faut bien placer les mots pour être clair. (You need to place the words well to be clear.)
• J'ai placé une annonce pour vendre ma voiture. (I placed an ad to sell my car.)
• Pouvez-vous placer ce document ici ? (Can you place this document here?)

To drop off, to leave, to place gently – déposer

The verb déposer generally translates to "to drop off," "to leave," or "to place gently." It implies setting something or someone down at a specific location, often with care or intent.

One of its most common uses is to refer to dropping someone off (like children at school or a friend at home) or leaving an object somewhere, such as a package at a reception desk. It conveys the action of transporting and then leaving.

Déposer also has more formal applications, such as "to deposit" money in a bank account (déposer de l'argent), "to file" a complaint or a document (déposer une plainte, déposer un dossier), or even "to lay down" (as in a weapon or a burden).

💡 * Je dois déposer les enfants à l'école à 8h. (I need to drop the kids off at school at 8 AM.)

• Vous pouvez déposer votre sac ici. (You can leave your bag here.)
• Il a déposé une forte somme à la banque. (He deposited a large sum at the bank.)
• Les grévistes ont décidé de déposer les armes. (The strikers decided to lay down their arms.)
• N'oubliez pas de déposer le courrier avant de partir. (Don't forget to drop off the mail before leaving.)

To put away, to tidy up, to organize – ranger

The verb ranger in French is a versatile term that encompasses actions like 'to put away,' 'to tidy up,' and 'to organize.' It's essential for discussing order and cleanliness.

At its heart, ranger implies bringing order to a space or a collection of items. Whether you're tidying a room, putting things back in their proper place, or systematically organizing a collection, ranger is the go-to verb.

This verb is incredibly common in daily conversations, especially when talking about household chores, office organization, or simply maintaining a neat environment. It's a practical word for everyday life.

Ranger is a regular -ER verb, which means its conjugation follows a predictable pattern. Be mindful of the spelling change in the nous form in the present tense (nous rangeons) to maintain the 'g' sound, but otherwise, it's straightforward.

While mettre simply means 'to put,' ranger carries the additional nuance of 'to put in order' or 'to put away properly.' It's not just about placement, but about organized placement.

Therefore, when you want to express the act of making something neat, orderly, or stored correctly, ranger is the precise verb to use in French.

💡 * Je dois ranger ma chambre avant ce soir. (I need to tidy my room before tonight.)

• Peux-tu ranger les livres sur l'étagère ? (Can you put away the books on the shelf?)
• Elle aime ranger ses vêtements par couleur. (She likes to organize her clothes by color.)
• N'oublie pas de ranger tes affaires après avoir joué. (Don't forget to put your things away after playing.)
• Il faut ranger la cuisine après le dîner. (We need to tidy the kitchen after dinner.)

To install, to set up, to put in place for use – installer

The French verb installer is highly versatile, primarily meaning “to install,” “to set up,” or “to put in place for use.” It’s a regular -er verb, making its conjugations straightforward once you understand its core applications.

One of the most common uses of installer is for the physical or digital installation of items. This includes everything from software on a computer to furniture in a room, or technical equipment like a new washing machine. Think of it as putting something where it belongs and making it ready for use.

Beyond objects, installer can also refer to settling a person or a group of people into a place. For example, you might installer a guest in a room, or a family in a new house. It implies helping someone get established and comfortable in a new setting.

The reflexive form, s'installer, is extremely common and means “to settle in,” “to get comfortable,” or “to move in.” This is used when the subject is settling themselves. For instance, you s'installe into a chair, or s'installe in a new city when moving there permanently.

💡 *Il faut installer le nouveau système d'exploitation. (We need to install the new operating system.)
*Nous allons installer les chaises autour de la table. (We are going to set up the chairs around the table.)
*Elle s'est installée dans son nouveau bureau. (She settled into her new office.)
*Pouvez-vous installer ce tableau pour moi ? (Can you hang this painting for me?)
*Je m'installe à la campagne le mois prochain. (I'm moving to the countryside next month.)

To put on (clothes), to thread (a needle) – enfiler

The French verb enfiler is a versatile word that primarily means "to put on" (clothes) or "to thread" (a needle, beads). It implies an action of slipping something on or through.

When talking about clothes, enfiler often suggests putting something on quickly, easily, or without much effort. It can be used for various garments, from socks to a coat. For example, enfiler ses chaussettes means "to slip on one's socks."

Beyond clothing, enfiler is also the correct verb for "to thread" a needle (enfiler une aiguille) or "to string" beads (enfiler des perles). In this context, it refers to passing a thin object through a small opening or along a string.

💡 * Elle a vite enfilé son manteau avant de sortir. (She quickly put on her coat before going out.)

• J'ai du mal à enfiler cette aiguille. (I'm having trouble threading this needle.)
• Il a enfilé ses bottes et est parti au travail. (He slipped on his boots and left for work.)
• Les enfants aiment enfiler des perles pour faire des colliers. (Children like to string beads to make necklaces.)
• Enfile ton pyjama, il est l'heure d'aller dormir. (Put on your pajamas, it's time to go to sleep.)

To introduce, to insert, to put into something – introduire

The verb introduire is highly versatile, primarily translating to 'to introduce,' 'to insert,' or 'to put into something.' It's a key verb for expressing the act of bringing something or someone into a place, situation, or discussion.

In its most literal sense, you use introduire to describe physically inserting an object into another. It's also the standard verb for introducing a person to another, or a new topic into a conversation.

Beyond the concrete, introduire extends to more formal and abstract contexts, such as introducing a new law, a concept, or a product to the market. It signifies initiating or bringing something forward for the first time.

Note that its past participle is introduit (or introduite/s for agreement), essential for forming compound tenses like the passé composé.

💡 * Il a introduit la clé dans la serrure. (He inserted the key into the lock.)

• Je voudrais vous introduire à mon collègue. (I would like to introduce you to my colleague.)
• Le gouvernement a introduit une nouvelle loi. (The government introduced a new law.)
• Elle a introduit un sujet délicat dans la conversation. (She introduced a delicate subject into the conversation.)
• Comment introduire ce nouveau produit sur le marché ? (How to introduce this new product to the market?)

To slip, to slide, to put subtly or quickly into a space – glisser

The French verb glisser is highly versatile, primarily translating to “to slip,” “to slide,” or “to glide.” It encompasses actions of smooth, often unintentional, or subtle movement, making it crucial for expressing various physical and abstract scenarios in French.

One of the most common applications of glisser describes a physical act of moving smoothly along a surface, or an accidental loss of footing. For instance, glisser sur la glace means 'to slip on the ice,' highlighting its use for literal movement.

Beyond physical movement, glisser is frequently used to describe placing something discreetly, quickly, or subtly into a space. This could be glisser une note dans une poche (to slip a note into a pocket) or glisser un mot (to drop a word or make a subtle suggestion).

Understanding the auxiliary verb for glisser is key. When used transitively (with a direct object, meaning 'to slide/slip something'), it takes avoir (e.g., J'ai glissé la clé). When used intransitively (meaning 'to slip/slide' oneself or to glide), it often takes être (e.g., Je suis glissé(e) if it's an accidental slip, or Le bateau est glissé if it's about gliding).

Glisser also features in several idiomatic expressions. For example, glisser sur quelque chose can mean 'to gloss over something' or 'to let something slide,' indicating a figurative avoidance or dismissal.

💡 *J'ai glissé sur une peau de banane et je suis tombé. (I slipped on a banana peel and fell.)
*Le bateau a glissé silencieusement sur l'eau. (The boat glided silently on the water.)
*Elle a glissé une lettre dans sa poche. (She slipped a letter into her pocket.)
*Il a glissé un commentaire sarcastique pendant la réunion. (He slipped a sarcastic comment during the meeting.)
*Ne glisse pas sur ce sujet sensible. (Don't gloss over this sensitive topic.)

Are there other ways to say 'to put' in French?

Are there other ways to say 'to put' in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say 'to put' in French. But French is rich with verbs that express nuances of placement, action, and arrangement. Beyond mettre, there's a vast vocabulary to explore, from formal terms to everyday expressions, and even regional variations.

To delve deeper, you can also do an online search for 'comment dire mettre en ___' followed by a specific Francophone context, or simply 'synonymes de mettre' to find a broader list of related verbs.

You might find many interesting verbs related to 'putting' or 'placing'. Of course, make sure to check each word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it yourself, as subtle differences in meaning are crucial.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover various verbs used to express 'to put' depending on the exact action, object, and situation.

And if you’re looking for a comprehensive list of verbs related to 'putting' or 'placing' in French, the WordReference entry for mettre is an excellent place to start, along with its synonyms and conjugated forms.

I hope you found this article helpful. Mastering the nuances of verbs like mettre is a key step in becoming fluent. As the French proverb says: "Petit à petit, l'oiseau fait son nid." (Little by little, the bird builds its nest.) This reminds us that consistent effort in 'putting' knowledge together leads to great results.