French Conversation · Level 155
30 words
French word
percevoir
Pronunciation
IPA/pɛʁsəvwaʁ/
Meaning
- verbsense
Example
Il perçoit la tension dans la pièce.
He senses the tension in the room.
More examples
On perçoit une légère odeur de brûlé dans la cuisine.
We sense a slight smell of burning in the kitchen.
Core concept
A receiver registering something present but not necessarily visible, such as a mood, sound, or thought.
Common phrases
percevoir la tension
sense the tension
percevoir une odeur
sense a smell
percevoir une différence
notice a difference
Similar words
sentir: Experience heat, pain, or emotion as a direct sensation.
remarquer: Notice something by paying attention to it.
apercevoir: Catch a glimpse of something's presence or movement.
voir: See something directly with the eyes.
Definition in French
Prendre ou recevoir une impression sensorielle ou intellectuelle d'une chose.
Word origin
The French verb continues Latin percipere, meaning 'to take in thoroughly', whose meaning developed toward sensing, understanding, and receiving.
Usage tips
- In formal administrative language, percevoir can also mean 'to collect', especially taxes or fees.
Other meanings
- receiveverb
- collectverb
Opposites
- ignorerignoreverb
Related words
- perceptionperceptionnoun
- perceptibleperceptibleadjective
- perçuperceivedadjective