French word

expliquer

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛksplike/

Meaning

  • verbexplain

Example

Peux-tu m'expliquer ce mot ?

Can you explain this word to me?

Illustration for expliquer (explain)

More examples

Peux-tu m'expliquer pourquoi tu n'es pas venu ?

Can you explain to me why you did not come?

Core concept

A closed idea is opened up step by step until its meaning, cause, or operation becomes clear.

Common phrases

  • expliquer un mot

    explain a word

  • expliquer pourquoi

    explain why

  • expliquer en détail

    explain in detail

Similar words

clarifier: To make an unclear point easier to understand.
préciser: To state specific details or conditions clearly.
montrer: To help someone understand by showing something visually.
décrire: To convey the appearance or features of something in words.

Definition in French

Faire comprendre à quelqu'un le sens, la cause ou le fonctionnement d'une chose en la décrivant ou en donnant des raisons.

Word origin

French expliquer comes from Latin explicare, formed from ex- meaning 'out' and plicare meaning 'to fold', with the sense of unfolding.

Usage tips

  • In expliquer quelque chose à quelqu'un, the thing explained is the direct object and the person is introduced by à.

Other meanings

  • account forverb

Opposites

Related words

  • explicationexplanationnoun
  • explicatifexplanatoryadjective
  • explicableexplainableadjective

Word lists with this word