The verb to take or have (prendre)

The verb prendre means "to take," but it is also used for having food or drinks.

Prendre is irregular. Notice how the d drops in the plural forms, and the n doubles for ils and elles.

PronounForm of prendre
jeprends
tuprends
il/elle/onprend
nousprenons
vousprenez
ils/ellesprennent

Taking transportation

Use prendre for taking public transit or specific routes.

I take the subway to go to the office.
Je prends le métro pour aller au bureau.
He takes line four, direction the city center.
Il prend la ligne quatre, direction le centre-ville.
Are you taking the train to Paris?
Est-ce que vous prenez le train pour Paris ?

Having food and drink

Use prendre instead of avoir (to have) when consuming food or drinks.

Are you having a good sandwich for lunch?
Tu prends un bon sandwich pour le déjeuner ?

To say you are "having a drink," use prendre un verre (literally: to take a glass).

We are having a drink with a colleague.
Nous prenons un verre avec un collègue.
They always have a salad and a soup.
Ils prennent toujours une salade et une soupe.

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