French word

concentrer

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃sɑ̃tʁe/

Meaning

  • verbconcentrate

Example

Je dois me concentrer pour réussir l'examen.

I have to concentrate to pass the exam.

Illustration for concentrer (concentrate)

More examples

Il faut concentrer ses efforts sur l'essentiel.

It is necessary to focus one's efforts on what is essential.

Core concept

Separate elements draw inward toward one center, while everything outside that focus fades into the background.

Common phrases

  • se concentrer sur

    concentrate on ___

  • concentrer l'attention sur

    focus attention on ___

  • concentrer ses efforts sur

    focus one's efforts on ___

Similar words

faire attention: To stay alert to danger or change.
prêter attention: To give careful attention to a person or subject by watching or listening.
se focaliser: To direct attention or sight strongly toward a particular point or target.
se fixer sur: To choose one idea or goal and direct attention and effort toward it.

Definition in French

Faire converger des éléments vers un centre ; au réfléchi se concentrer, fixer son esprit ou son effort sur une tâche donnée.

Word origin

Concentrer comes through medieval Latin concentrāre, built from con- 'together' and centrum 'center'; French se concentrer later developed the sense of directing attention or effort.

Usage tips

  • For mental focus, French normally uses se concentrer sur followed by the task or subject.

Other meanings

  • gatherverb

Opposites

  • disperserdisperseverb
  • déconcentrerdistractverb

Related words

Word lists with this word