French Conversation · Level 160
30 words
French word
cirer
Pronunciation
IPA/siʁe/
Meaning
- verbpolish
Example
Je dois cirer mes chaussures ce soir.
I have to polish my shoes tonight.
More examples
Il faut cirer régulièrement les chaussures pour les protéger.
One must polish the shoes regularly to protect them.
Core concept
Wax is rubbed into a surface to give it a smooth, bright finish.
Common phrases
cirer ses chaussures
polish one's shoes
faire cirer ses chaussures
get one's shoes polished
Similar words
lustrer: To rub a surface with a cloth or tool to give it a glossy finish.
faire briller: To rub an object with a cloth or tool until it shines.
Definition in French
Appliquer et frotter une substance cireuse sur une surface pour lui donner de l'éclat, verbe courant pour les chaussures.
Word origin
The verb cirer developed from cire, the French noun for wax, by adding the common verb suffix -er.
Usage tips
- Faire cirer means to have something polished by another person, while cirer alone describes doing the polishing oneself.