vendre
sell
The French word for 'sell' is 'vendre'. It is commonly used in the same contexts as 'sell' in English. For example, you might use it when talking about selling items in a store, selling a car, or even in expressions like 'sell out' that figuratively mean to betray one's principles for personal gain. As with English, the word's form changes with tense. For example, 'Je vends' means 'I am selling' or 'I sell'.
Example sentences using: vendre
Je vais vendre ma voiture l'année prochaine.
I'm going to sell my car next year.
This sentence is talking about a future action, to sell a car the next year. In French future tense is expressed by using 'vais', which corresponds to 'going' in English.
Nous avons l'intention de vendre notre maison à la campagne.
We intend to sell our country house.
This sentence talks about an intention to do something in the future, in this case to sell a country house.
Ils doivent vendre du pain à la boulangerie.
This sentence implies an obligation or requirement to sell bread in a bakery. The French verb 'doivent' translates into 'must' in English, expressing an obligation.
None
Tu peux vendre ton vélo si tu n'en as pas besoin.
You can sell your bike if you don't need it.
Here, 'peux' is used to state the possibility or ability of someone to sell their bike under condition that it's no longer needed.
Il essaye de vendre sa vieille moto.
He tries to sell his old motorcycle.
This sentence expresses an ongoing action in the present tense, with someone trying to sell their old motorcycle.
Elle a vendu son appartement l'été dernier.
She sold her apartment last summer.
This phrase uses the past tense 'a vendu' meaning 'sold' to convey the action of selling in the past, precisely, last summer.
Pourrais-tu vendre ton ancien appareil photo?
Could you sell your old camera?
In this sentence, 'pourrais-tu' translates to could you, used when making polite requests or asking for permission.
Je veux vendre mes vieux livres.
I want to sell my old books.
This phrase denotes someone's desire or intention to sell their old books, as 'veux' translates to 'want' in English.
Ils ont vendu leur ancienne maison.
They sold their old house.
Here, 'ont vendu' refers to a complete action in the past, the selling of an old house.
Elle ne peut pas vendre sa voiture sans mon accord.
She can't sell her car without my agreement.
This sentence denotes a restriction or prohibition to sell a car without the speaker's agreement.