French word

parlant

Pronunciation

IPA/paʁlɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivetalking

Example

Il y a un homme parlant au téléphone.

There is a man talking on the phone.

Illustration for parlant (talking)

More examples

Un guide parlant plusieurs langues aide les touristes.

A guide speaking several languages helps tourists.

Core concept

A voice in action, with speech happening now.

Common phrases

  • parlant au téléphone

    speaking on the phone

  • un guide parlant plusieurs langues

    a guide speaking several languages

Similar words

oral: Carried out through speech.
parlé: Previously spoken aloud.

Definition in French

Se dit d'une personne qui produit des paroles à l'instant.

Word origin

The form parlant comes from parler, which developed through Old French from Late Latin parabolare, and keeps the inherited participial ending -ant.

Usage tips

  • En parlant means 'while speaking', because en plus a present participle expresses a simultaneous action.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word