French Conversation · Level 19
89 words
French word
porter
Pronunciation
IPA/poʁte/
Meaning
- verbcarry
Example
Je porte une valise.
I am carrying a suitcase.
More examples
Il porte deux sacs à dos en montant l'escalier.
He is carrying two backpacks while climbing the stairs.
Core concept
A body serves as support for something being moved, worn, or borne as a responsibility.
Common phrases
porter un sac à dos
carry a backpack
porter un colis lourd
carry a heavy parcel
porter ce meuble
carry this piece of furniture
Similar words
apporter: To bring something from another place to where the speaker is.
emporter: To take something out of a place and carry it elsewhere.
déplacer: To shift something slightly from one position or place to another.
tenir: To grip or support something with the hands or arms.
Definition in French
Tenir un objet et le déplacer d'un endroit à un autre, ou avoir quelque chose sur soi (vêtement, bagage) ; au sens figuré, supporter ou assumer une charge.
Word origin
The physical sense inherited from Latin portare through Old French extended naturally to anything supported by the body and then to abstract burdens.
Usage tips
- Porter does not itself mark direction; apporter means bring and emporter means take away, with the prefixes supplying the direction.