French word

orienter

Pronunciation

IPA/oʁjɑ̃te/

Meaning

  • verbguide

Example

Je vais orienter le visiteur vers la sortie.

I am going to guide the visitor to the exit.

Illustration for orienter (guide)

More examples

Le conseiller m'a orienté vers une formation adaptée.

The counselor directed me toward a suitable training program.

Core concept

A directional choice is assigned to a traveler, object, or line of thought so that it faces the intended destination.

Common phrases

  • orienter quelqu'un vers la sortie

    direct someone to the exit

  • orienter un étudiant

    guide a student

Similar words

diriger: Lead or direct a person or group toward a specific destination or goal.
guider: Guide someone so they can find their destination.
adresser: Refer a matter to the appropriate person or department.

Definition in French

Faire prendre à quelqu'un ou à quelque chose une direction précise, qu'elle soit physique, administrative ou informationnelle.

Word origin

Orienter entered French through medieval Latin orientare, whose base oriens referred to the east and the rising sun before the verb acquired broader directional senses.

Usage tips

  • The final -er in orienter is pronounced like the French é sound, so the infinitive does not sound like the English verb ending in -er.

Other meanings

  • directverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word