French Conversation · Level 51
75 words
French word
immatériel
Pronunciation
IPA/imateʁjɛl/
Meaning
- adjectiveintangible
Example
Cette idée est immatérielle.
This idea is intangible.
More examples
Ce cadeau est immatériel mais il me fait plaisir.
This gift is intangible, but it makes me happy.
Core concept
Something that has no physical substance but exists as a concept, entitlement, or shared value.
Common phrases
quelque chose d'immatériel
something immaterial
patrimoine immatériel
intangible heritage
cadeau immatériel
intangible gift
Similar words
intangible: Unable to be touched because it has no material existence.
abstrait: Concerned with ideas or concepts rather than concrete forms.
invisible: Not perceptible through sight.
Definition in French
Qui n'est pas matériel : ce qui ne se voit pas et ne se touche pas, souvent utilisé pour des idées, des droits ou des valeurs.
Word origin
The form immatériel developed by adding the negative prefix im- to matériel, a word related to Latin materia, meaning matter.
Usage tips
- English immaterial can mean irrelevant, but French immatériel primarily describes something without physical substance.