French Conversation · Level 41
75 words
French word
initiative
Pronunciation
IPA/inisjativ/
Meaning
- feminine nouninitiative
Example
Il manque d'initiative dans son travail.
He lacks initiative at work.
More examples
Elle a pris l'initiative d'organiser la réunion.
She took the initiative to organize the meeting.
Core concept
A person taking the first step to start an action, suggest a plan, or lead without waiting for instructions.
Common phrases
prendre l'initiative
take the initiative
manquer d'initiative
lack initiative
faire preuve d'initiative
show initiative
Similar words
motivation: An inner drive or sense of purpose that fuels action and effort.
enthousiasme: A strong interest in something that inspires eager involvement.
Definition in French
Capacité ou tendance à commencer une action par soi-même, à proposer des idées ou à prendre les devants sans attendre d'instructions.
Word origin
French initiative comes from Latin initium, meaning 'beginning', through the related Latin adjective initiativus and French initiative.
Usage tips
- Initiative is a feminine noun, so the usual form is une initiative and prendre l'initiative.
Opposites
- passivitépassivitynoun
- timiditétimiditynoun
Related words
- initierinitiateverb
- initiationinitiationnoun
- initiateurinitiatornoun