French Conversation · Level 60
75 words
French word
coloniser
Pronunciation
IPA/kolonize/
Meaning
- verbcolonize
Example
En 1800, les puissances ont colonisé de nombreuses îles.
In 1800, the great powers colonized many islands.
More examples
Certains estiment que la mondialisation colonise la culture locale.
Some people believe that globalization is colonizing the local culture.
Core concept
Settlers, institutions, and authority taking root together in another country or territory.
Common phrases
coloniser la culture locale
colonize the local culture
coloniser l'esprit
colonize the mind
Similar words
s'installer: To settle in a place and establish a lasting residence there.
envahir: To enter a country or region forcefully, bringing control or chaos.
occuper: To occupy a place by staying there or managing it.
annexer: To officially add foreign territory to a country's own territory.
Definition in French
Prendre possession d'un territoire étranger en y établissant une colonie, en installant des colons et en imposant un contrôle politique.
Word origin
The verb comes from French colonie, itself from Latin colonia, and adds the verb-forming suffix -iser.
Usage tips
- Coloniser has a formal historical and political register, so ordinary residence is usually expressed with s'installer or vivre ailleurs instead.
Other meanings
- settleverb
Opposites
- décoloniserdecolonizeverb
Related words
- colonisationcolonizationnoun
- colonialcolonialadjective