RÉUSSIR = TO SUCCEED / TO MANAGE / TO DO WELL
The French verb réussir can be used with or without the preposition à, depending on the context and the structure of the sentence. This verb has many different meanings that don’t always directly translate to English.
Without à: When réussir is followed by a direct object (noun or pronoun), it does not require the preposition “à.” Réussir does not require à when followed by other prepositions like dans or sans.
With à: When réussir is followed by an infinitive, it requires the preposition à. Réussir also requires à when followed by an indirect object (noun or pronoun).
Réussir ou Réussir à
| WITHOUT À | WITH À |
| J’ai réussi l’examen. ⬇ direct object ⬇ | J’ai réussi à comprendre. ⬇ infinitive ⬇ |
| I passed the exam. | I managed to understand. |
| Tu as bien réussi ta crème brûlée. ⬇ direct object ⬇ | Max réussi toujours à être en retard. ⬇ infinitive ⬇ |
| You did a great job with your crème brûlée. | Max always manages to be late. |
| Il a réussi son coup. idiomatic expression ⬇ direct object ⬇ | La vie en France réussit à Roger. ⬇ indirect object (person) ⬇ |
| He pulled it off. | Life in France is going well for Roger. |
| Ma soeur a bien réussi sa vie. ⬇ direct object ⬇ | Ça ne réussit pas à Stéphane de ne pas assez dormir. ⬇ indirect object (person) ⬇ |
| My sister has done very well for herself. | It doesn’t suit Stéphane not to get enough sleep. |
| Elle a réussi dans sa vie personnelle et professionnelle. ⬇ preposition dans ⬇ | Le fromage ne réussit pas bien à Léa! ⬇ indirect object (person) ⬇ |
| She has thrived in her personal and professional life. | Cheese doesn’t agree with Léa! |
| Comment réussir sans s’épuiser? ⬇ preposition sans ⬇ | Je ne réussirai jamais à apprendre à skier. ⬇ infinitive ⬇ |
| How to succeed without burning out? | I’ll never manage to learn to ski. |
Video + Lesson Guide
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