amené

Amené is the past participle of the French verb amener, meaning to bring someone or something to a place. It functions as a general descriptor meaning “brought” or “led,” and appears in compound tenses with the auxiliary avoir (J’ai amené). As an adjective, amené agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

Etymology and scope: Amené comes from the Old French verb amener, itself formed from mener, meaning to lead, with the prefix a- indicating toward. The word is used to describe bringing people or animals, and, in broader contexts, it can denote something that has been brought to a location or situation.

Forms and agreement: The masculine singular is amené; feminine singular amenée; masculine plural amenés; feminine plural amenées. In sentences using the auxiliary avoir, the participle normally does not agree with the subject, but it does agree with a preceding direct object. For example: J’ai amené les enfants (no agreement when the direct object follows the participle), and Les enfants que j’ai amenés (agreement with enfants, which precedes the participle in the relative clause).

Usage notes: Amené contrasts with emmener (to take someone away) and emporter (to carry away an object). It is commonly found in formal, administrative, or legal contexts, such as “amené devant le tribunal” (brought before the court). It can also function adjectivally, as in “un témoin amené par la police” (a witness brought by the police).

See also: Amener (verb), Emmener (to take away), Emporter (to carry away).