French word

existence

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛgzistɑ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounexistence

Example

L'existence de ce problème est évidente.

The existence of this problem is obvious.

Illustration for existence (existence)

More examples

Après l'accident, il a perdu toute notion de sa propre existence.

After the accident, he lost all sense of his own existence.

Core concept

A real presence in the world, whether visible or only conceived.

Common phrases

  • une existence paisible

    a peaceful existence

  • l'existence matérielle

    material existence

Similar words

présence: Being located in a particular place at a given time.
réalité: The state of being real rather than imagined or theoretical.

Definition in French

Fait qu'une chose existe; la présence réelle ou effective d'un objet, d'une personne ou d'une idée.

Word origin

French existence comes from Latin existentia, formed from exsistere, meaning to emerge or come into being.

Usage tips

  • Existence is an abstract, relatively formal noun; everyday French often uses il y a or il existe instead.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word