Accorder: Usage and Pronunciation

Teacher Gu's English Class

Overview Meaning Pronunciation Usage Practice

accorder

/a.kɔʁ.de/
Verb French

Basic Definition:To grant, to give, to agree, to tune (a musical instrument)

Etymology:From Old French "acorder", from Latin "accordare" (to bring to agreement)

📚 Core Meanings

To Grant/Give

To concede or bestow something

Accorder une faveur à quelqu'un.
To grant a favor to someone.
Formal

To Agree

To be in harmony or concord

Ils ont fini par s'accorder.
They finally agreed.
Common

To Tune

To adjust musical instruments

Accorder une guitare.
To tune a guitar.
Music

"Accorder" is a versatile French verb with multiple meanings depending on context. It's commonly used in both formal and musical contexts.

🔄 Usage Comparison

French Examples

Le directeur va accorder une augmentation.

Nous devons nous accorder sur ce point.

Il faut accorder le piano avant le concert.

English Translation

The manager will grant a raise.

We need to agree on this point.

The piano needs to be tuned before the concert.

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

French Pronunciation

/a.kɔʁ.de/

ah-kor-day

English Approximation

/æ.kɔːr.deɪ/

ak-or-day

Pronunciation Tips:

Common Mistakes

  • Pronouncing the "r" as English "r"
  • Stressing the first syllable
  • Omitting the final "er" sound

🎯 Common Collocations

Accorder + noun

Granting something

Accorder une permission
Grant permission
Formal

S'accorder + avec

Agreeing with someone

S'accorder avec quelqu'un
To agree with someone
Common

Accorder + instrument

Tuning instruments

Accorder un violon
Tune a violin
Music

Grammar Notes

Infinitive: accorder
Present participle: accordant
Past participle: accordé

⚠️ Common Confusions

Don't confuse:

Accorder means to record. (Incorrect)

Correct:Accorder means to grant or agree.

Accorder is only used for musical instruments. (Incorrect)

Correct:Accorder has multiple meanings including granting and agreeing.

✍️ Practice Exercises

Translation Practice

1. Le professeur va accorder plus de temps.
2. Nous devons nous accorder sur la date.
3. Peux-tu accorder ma guitare?

1. The teacher will grant more time.

2. We need to agree on the date.

3. Can you tune my guitar?

Pronunciation Practice

Repeat these sentences:

• Accorder une interview [a.kɔʁ.de]
• Ils doivent s'accorder [sa.kɔʁ.de]
• J'ai besoin d'accorder mon piano [a.kɔʁ.de]

Correction Exercise

Find and correct errors:

1. Accorder means to refuse.
2. Pronounced [ækˈkɔrdər]
3. Accorder is only used in music.

1. Accorder means to grant or agree.

2. Pronounced [a.kɔʁ.de] (French pronunciation)

3. Accorder has multiple meanings beyond music.