French Conversation · Level 46
74 words
French word
avouer
Pronunciation
IPA/avwe/
Meaning
- verbadmit
Example
Je dois t'avouer quelque chose.
I have to admit something to you.
More examples
Il a fini par avouer son erreur.
He finally admitted his mistake.
Core concept
A person places a private fact before another person's attention, often after some hesitation.
Common phrases
avouer ses sentiments
confess one's feelings
avouer une erreur
admit a mistake
avouer la vérité
confess the truth
Similar words
admettre: Accepting a fact or one's own mistake as true.
confesser: Confessing and acknowledging a sin or secret.
reconnaître: Acknowledging a fact once denied or previously overlooked.
déclarer: Clearly stating a fact or opinion in a public or formal setting.
Definition in French
Admettre qu'une chose est vraie et l'exprimer, souvent avec une nuance de gêne, de remords ou de retenue.
Word origin
Old French avoer gave French avouer, whose earlier senses included recognizing something as one's own before the word came to cover personal admissions and confessions.
Usage tips
- Avouer often has a personal or uncomfortable tone, whereas admettre is broader and more neutral in ordinary statements.