French Conversation · Level 88
60 words
French word
orientation
Pronunciation
IPA/oʁjɑ̃tasjɔ̃/
Meaning
- feminine noundirection
Example
L'orientation du vent a changé.
The direction of the wind changed.
More examples
Son orientation politique est clairement à gauche.
His political orientation is clearly on the left.
Core concept
A compass needle or arrow showing the heading of a moving object or a chosen course.
Common phrases
orientation politique
political orientation
changement d'orientation
change of direction
Similar words
sens: The way something is oriented or progressing, such as forward, backward, left, or right.
direction: The bearing toward which an object or movement is headed.
tendance: The direction of change shown by events, figures, or other developments.
préférence: A choice or inclination toward one option over several others.
Definition in French
Terme désignant la direction précise d'un objet ou, au sens figuré, la tendance ou le choix qui guide une action ou une politique.
Word origin
French orientation is formed from orienter with the suffix -ation and ultimately comes from Latin orientatio, related to oriens, "rising" or "east."
Usage tips
- Orientation is feminine, so the phrase is l'orientation because the noun begins with a vowel.
Other meanings
- coursenoun
- inclinationnoun
- orientationnoun
Opposites
- désorientationdisorientationnoun
Related words
- orienterorientverb
- orientateurcareer counselornoun