accorder
Le gouvernement a accordé une subvention aux associations locales.
The government granted a subsidy to local associations.
to grant or give (something requested)
Le professeur a accordé une semaine de délai pour rendre le devoir.
The teacher granted an extra week to submit the assignment.
Commonly used in administrative, legal, or formal contexts.
to reconcile or bring into harmony
Ces deux couleurs s'accordent parfaitement.
These two colors go perfectly together.
Often used with colors, ideas, or abstract concepts.
to tune (a musical instrument)
Il faut accorder le piano avant le concert.
We need to tune the piano before the concert.
Specific to music and instruments.
to agree or correspond (with)
Ces deux témoignages n'accordent pas sur les détails.
These two testimonies do not agree on the details.
Used to indicate consistency or alignment between statements.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Prepositions with 'accorder'
Use 'à' when granting something to someone (accorder qqch à qqn). Use 'sur' when agreeing on a topic (s'accorder sur un sujet).
Gold Rule
Transitive vs. Intransitive
'Accorder' is transitive when meaning 'to grant' (Il a accordé une pause). It is pronominal when meaning 'to agree' (Ils se sont accordés sur le prix).
Word Origin
From Old French *acorder*, from Latin *accordare* (to bring into agreement), from *ad-* (to) + *cor* (heart).
Usage Notes
The verb can be transitive (to grant) or pronominal (s'accorder, to agree). Pay attention to prepositions when used with 'sur' (to agree on) or 'avec' (to harmonize with).