French Conversation · Level 106
60 words
French word
débattre
Pronunciation
IPA/debatʁ/
Meaning
- verbdiscuss
Example
On va débattre de ce sujet.
We are going to discuss this subject.
More examples
Elle aime débattre des idées en famille.
She likes debating ideas with her family.
Core concept
A group tests competing arguments around one question until its key points become clear.
Common phrases
débattre de
debate ___
débattre une question
debate a question
débattre en public
debate in public
Similar words
discuter: To talk informally while sharing opinions or information.
argumenter: To explain an opinion by giving supporting reasons or evidence.
contester: To voice opposition to and challenge someone else's opinion or claim.
défendre: To uphold one's own or another person's opinion or position.
Definition in French
Présenter et confronter des points de vue sur une question pour l'éclaircir ou la trancher.
Word origin
French débattre is inherited from Old French desbatre, based on de- and battre, whose earlier sense involved striking before the verb acquired its discussion sense.
Usage tips
- Débattre often suits an organized or formal discussion, while discuter is more common for ordinary discussion and can sound less confrontational.
Other meanings
- debateverb
- argueverb
Opposites
- se tairebe silentverb
Related words
- débatdebatenoun
- débatteurdebaternoun
- débattudebatedadjective