French Conversation · Level 83
60 words
French word
constituer
Pronunciation
IPA/kɔ̃stitɥe/
Meaning
- verbmake up
Example
Ces éléments constituent l'équipe.
These elements make up the team.
More examples
Ces lois constituent le cadre juridique.
These laws constitute the legal framework.
Core concept
A set of elements assembled into a complete entity or organized body.
Common phrases
constituer une équipe
form a team
constituer un groupe
form a group
Similar words
former: Assemble parts to give something a definite form or structure.
composer: Combine several parts to create a complete whole.
créer: Create something new that did not exist before.
mettre en place: Set up a system or team so it is ready to operate.
Definition in French
Unir des éléments pour former une entité ou fonder une organisation.
Word origin
Constituer comes from Latin constituere, whose elements con- and statuere express 'together' and 'set up'; French extends this to forming an entity.
Usage tips
- For the meaning 'consist of', French normally uses être constitué de rather than constituer de.
Opposites
- démantelerdismantleverb
- dissoudredissolveverb
Related words
- constitutionconstitutionnoun
- constitutifconstitutiveadjective
- constituéconstitutedadjective