French word

impression

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃pʁesjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounimpression

Example

J'ai une bonne impression de ce restaurant.

I have a good impression of this restaurant.

Illustration for impression (impression)

More examples

Son discours a fait une forte impression sur le public.

His speech made a strong impression on the audience.

Core concept

A settled feeling in the mind that remains after encountering a person, place, or event.

Common phrases

  • faire bonne impression

    make a good impression

  • avoir l'impression

    have the impression

  • la première impression

    first impression

Similar words

sentiment: An enduring inner feeling or emotional attitude.
sensation: A momentary physical or sensory feeling.
opinion: A personal assessment of an issue or situation.

Definition in French

Perception durable laissée dans l'esprit par une expérience ou une observation, souvent exprimée comme une appréciation ou un ressenti.

Word origin

The French noun impression developed from Latin impressio, based on imprimere, 'to press into', and carried the idea of a pressed-in mark into mental perception and printing.

Usage tips

  • Avoir l'impression que is followed by a full clause, as in J'ai l'impression qu'il est absent, while de is used before an infinitive.

Other meanings

  • printingnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word