Je règle le problème.

I fix the problem.

Breakdown of Je règle le problème.

• je: I
• le problème: the problem
• régler: to fix

Questions & Answers about Je règle le problème.

What does the verb régler mean in this context?

In this sentence, régler means “to solve” or “to resolve.” It implies that the speaker is addressing and fixing a particular problem, rather than “ruling” in the sense of governing.

Why is the first-person singular form spelled règle with a grave accent on the “e”?

In French, verbs often undergo stem changes when conjugated. For régler, the first-person singular present tense becomes règle. The grave accent on the “è” signals this change and distinguishes it from the infinitive form, régler.

What is the grammatical structure of the sentence "Je règle le problème"?

The sentence follows the typical French Subject-Verb-Object order: • Je is the subject, meaning “I.” • Règle is the conjugated verb (solve). • Le problème is the object, meaning “the problem.”
This structure is quite similar to the English SVO order.

Why is the definite article le used with problème?

The definite article le implies that the problem is specific or already known to both the speaker and the listener. While English might sometimes use an indefinite article (“a problem”), French uses le to indicate a particular, identifiable problem in context.

Can régler be used in other contexts or with other meanings?

Yes, régler is versatile. Besides “solving” a problem, it can also mean “to settle,” “to adjust,” or “to sort out” various issues. For instance, you might say régler une dispute (settle a dispute) or régler les comptes (balance the accounts). The context usually clarifies its precise meaning.