The academic meanings of the French and English words “proposer” and “to propose” are quite similar.
For example:
- To put forward a plan or proposal: The committee proposed a new agreement. → Le comité a proposé un nouvel accord.
- We proposed Ms Smith as Chair / Chairperson / Chairwoman. → Nous avons proposé Mme Smith en tant que Présidente.
However, note the difference in non-academic use:
- Je lui ai proposé d’aller boire un café.
Native English speakers will replace “proposer” by ask → I asked him out for coffee.
If we want to be more articulate, we might say, “I invited him for a coffee. / I suggested we meet over a coffee. / I offered to take him out for a coffee. ”
Other examples using ask:
- I asked my in-laws to dinner.
- I asked her round for a drink.
- He’d like to ask her out, but she is elusive and he never manages to catch her.