French Conversation · Level 51
75 words
French word
citation
Pronunciation
IPA/sitasjɔ̃/
Meaning
- feminine nounquote
Example
Peux-tu me donner la citation exacte ?
Can you give me the exact quote?
More examples
Cette citation est souvent attribuée à Voltaire.
This quotation is often attributed to Voltaire.
Core concept
A speaker's or writer's exact words lifted from a larger text and shown with their source.
Common phrases
faire une citation
make a quotation
citation directe
direct quotation
citation indirecte
indirect quotation
Similar words
extrait: A short extract taken from a written work or other text.
passage: A distinct section or paragraph within a written text.
référence: Information or notation identifying the source of material or data.
Definition in French
Reproduction mot à mot d'un passage d'un texte ou d'une parole, indiquée comme provenant d'une source.
Word origin
French citation comes from Latin citare, 'to call or summon', through Latin citationem, with the quotation sense developing after earlier legal uses.
Usage tips
- Citation is feminine, so the usual form is une citation and the example uses la citation exacte.