French word

exister

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛgziste/

Meaning

  • verbexist

Example

Il existe un problème.

There is a problem.

Illustration for exister (exist)

More examples

Il existe plusieurs solutions simples.

Several simple solutions exist.

Core concept

A presence that stands as real in the outer world or in the mind.

Common phrases

  • il existe

    there exists ___

  • ça existe

    It exists

Similar words

être: To be present or to exist in a given state.
y avoir: To say that something is present or exists.
se trouver: To be found or located somewhere.
paraître: To appear to be a certain way.

Definition in French

Avoir une réalité ou une présence, que ce soit dans le monde ou dans l'esprit.

Word origin

French exister is a learned borrowing from Latin exsistere, built from ex- meaning 'out' and sistere meaning 'cause to stand', with an early sense of emerging.

Usage tips

  • For simple presence in conversation, il y a is often more natural than il existe, which commonly sounds formal or analytical.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word