French Conversation · Level 114
59 words
French word
banaliser
Pronunciation
IPA/banalize/
Meaning
- verbdownplay
Example
Ne banalise pas ce que je dis.
Don't downplay what I'm saying.
More examples
Elle a tendance à banaliser les détails.
She tends to downplay the details.
Core concept
A troubling fact reduced to the level of an everyday detail.
Common phrases
banaliser une idée
trivialize an idea
banaliser les conséquences
downplay the consequences
banaliser un événement
trivialize an event
Similar words
minimiser: Present something as having less value or impact than it actually does.
sous-estimer: Underestimate how serious or important something is.
rabaisser: Belittle a person or opinion by treating it as inferior.
relativiser: Put an event or problem into context so that it seems less significant.
Definition in French
Minimiser l'importance de quelque chose en le présentant comme banal.
Word origin
French built banaliser by adding the verb-forming suffix -iser to banal, a word inherited through medieval French from medieval Latin bannalis.
Usage tips
- The final -iser in banaliser has a voiced z sound, approximately /ize/ in French pronunciation.
Other meanings
- make commonplaceverb
- trivializeverb
Related words
- banalcommonplaceadjective
- banalisationtrivializationnoun