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mettre

/mɛtʁ/
1.
verbInf3rd

put

place

set

Peux-tu mettre tes clés sur la table ?

Can you put your keys on the table?

Synonyms:poser, placer, déposer
2.
verbInf3rd

put on (clothes)

wear

Je vais mettre un manteau, il fait froid.

I'm going to put on a coat; it's cold.

Synonyms:enfiler, porter
4.
verbInf3rd

put into a state

make (someone or something)

Ça va les mettre en colère.

That will make them angry.

Synonyms:rendre
3.
verbInf3rd

take (time)

require (time)

On va mettre au moins deux heures pour arriver.

It's going to take us at least two hours to get there.

Synonyms:prendre, durer
5.
verbInf3rd

turn on / play (music, radio, video)

Tu peux mettre la radio ?

Can you turn on the radio?

Synonyms:allumer, passer

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Mettre is a very common irregular -RE verb meaning "to put," "to place," or "to set." It can also mean "to put on" (clothes).

USAGE

It's used for placing objects (*Je mets mon sac ici* - I put my bag here) and for getting dressed (*Tu mets tes chaussures* - You put on your shoes). It also means "to turn on" certain devices (*Mettre la lumière* - To turn on the light).

TRAPS

Confusing mettre with *porter*: Mettre is the *action* of putting clothes on, while *porter* means "to wear." Also, remember its reflexive form *se mettre à* means "to start doing something." Its conjugation is irregular: *je mets, il met, nous mettons, ils mettent*.