French word

parler

Pronunciation

IPA/paʁle/

Meaning

  • verbspeak

Example

Peux-tu parler plus lentement, s'il te plaît ?

Can you speak more slowly, please?

Illustration for parler (speak)

More examples

Elle sait parler français.

She knows how to speak French.

Core concept

A voice sends words across a gap between people, either to exchange information or to tell something.

Common phrases

  • parler français

    speak French

  • parler de

    talk about

  • parler au téléphone

    talk on the phone

Similar words

dire: Expressing a specific message or saying something to someone.
raconter: Narrating events or a story in a detailed, sequential way.
discuter: Discussing an issue or problem by exchanging opinions.
bavarder: Enjoying an extended, casual conversation about everyday matters.

Definition in French

S'exprimer oralement en prononçant des mots pour établir un échange ou raconter quelque chose.

Word origin

French parler developed from Old French parler, ultimately from Late Latin parabolare, a verb meaning to speak.

Usage tips

  • French uses parler à for speaking to someone and parler avec for speaking with someone; neither form alone guarantees a one-way exchange.

Other meanings

  • talkverb

Opposites

  • se tairebe silentverb

Related words

  • parléspokenadjective
  • parleurtalkernoun

Word lists with this word