French word

initier

Pronunciation

IPA/inisje/

Meaning

  • verbintroduce

Example

Elle m'a initié au français.

She introduced me to French.

Illustration for initier (introduce)

More examples

Il m'a initié aux rudiments de la cuisine.

He initiated me into the basics of cooking.

Core concept

A guide opening a door into a new field through a first practical encounter.

Common phrases

  • initier quelqu'un à

    initiate ___ into

  • s'initier à

    familiarize oneself with ___

Similar words

apprendre: Teach learners information or skills so they can use them independently.
expliquer: Explain how something works or what it means.
montrer: Show an object or action to help understanding.
présenter: Introduce a person or subject to others.

Definition in French

Faire découvrir à quelqu'un, par une première expérience ou une explication simple, les éléments essentiels d'un domaine.

Word origin

French initier is a learned borrowing from Latin initiāre, formed from initium, meaning "beginning".

Usage tips

  • The usual construction is initier quelqu'un à quelque chose, with à introducing the field or activity.

Other meanings

  • initiateverb

Related words

Word lists with this word