donner

Senses

1. 1.

   to give

   to transfer something to someone else

2. 2.

   to give (in the sense of yield, produce)

   to provide or produce a result or output

3. 3.

   to strike; to hit

   to deliver a blow or impact

4. 4.

   to give onto; to overlook

   (of a window or door) to open or face toward

Examples

• "Je lui ai donné un livre pour son anniversaire."

  I gave him a book for his birthday.

• "Cette pomme donne une bonne récolte chaque année."

  This apple tree yields a good harvest every year.

• "La fenêtre donne sur la rue."

  The window overlooks the street.

Usage

Donner is one of the most common French verbs and is highly productive in fixed expressions (donner raison, donner tort, donner lieu à, etc.). In informal speech, it can also mean 'to care' or be used reflexively (se donner) to mean 'to devote oneself.' Note the distinction between *donner* (to give away) and *offrir* (to give as a gift), though they often overlap.