French Conversation · Level 30
89 words
French word
insister
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃siste/
Meaning
- verbemphasize
Example
Elle insiste sur la qualité du service.
She emphasizes the quality of the service.
More examples
Elle insiste auprès de son patron pour une augmentation.
She presses her boss for a raise.
Core concept
A speaker keeps a finger on one point in a discussion, pressing it until it is noticed or accepted.
Common phrases
insister auprès de
press ___ persistently
insister pour que
insist that ___
Similar words
répéter: To repeat the same words or information.
souligner: To highlight an important point clearly so it receives attention.
Definition in French
Exprimer ou répéter avec force un point pour le rendre plus visible ou obtenir un accord; se construit souvent «insister sur + nom» ou «insister pour + infinitif».
Word origin
French insister comes from Latin insistere, formed from in- and sistere, 'to stand', and developed from the idea of standing firmly on a point to expressing it forcefully.
Usage tips
- The usual patterns are insister sur + a noun and insister pour + an infinitive, as in insister sur la qualité and insister pour obtenir un accord.
Other meanings
- insistverb
- demandverb
Related words
- insistanceinsistencenoun
- insistantinsistentadjective
- insistammentinsistentlyadverb