devenir

Senses

1. 1.

   to become

   to change state or condition; to transition into a new state

2. 2.

   to turn into

   to be transformed or converted into something else

3. 3.

   to happen to

   to occur to someone; what happens to a person or thing

Examples

• "Elle est devenue avocate après ses études."

  She became a lawyer after her studies.

• "Le lait devient sour s'il est laissé au soleil."

  Milk turns sour if left in the sun.

• "Qu'est devenu ton ami ? Il a disparu."

  What happened to your friend? He disappeared.

Usage

Devenir is the most common French verb for describing change of state. It conjugates with *être* as auxiliary in compound tenses (je suis devenu). Use *devenir* + adjective or noun to express transformation; *rester*, *demeurer*, or *s'avérer* convey remaining in a state rather than changing.