French word

répliquer

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁeplike/

Meaning

  • verbtalk back

Example

Ne lui réplique pas, ce n'est pas le moment.

Don't talk back to him; this is not the time.

Illustration for répliquer (talk back)

More examples

Il réplique aussitôt, furieux.

He retorts immediately, furious.

Core concept

A quick verbal reply sent back at someone, carrying an objection or a sharp edge.

Common phrases

  • répliquer à quelqu'un

    talk back to someone

  • répliquer que

    retort that ___

  • répliquer sèchement

    retort curtly

Similar words

répondre: To answer or reply to what someone has said.
rétorquer: To answer back with a sharp, witty retort.

Definition in French

Répondre à quelqu'un en lui opposant une objection, souvent de façon brève et vive.

Word origin

French répliquer comes through Old French from Latin replicare, meaning to fold back, which developed the sense of returning words in reply or opposition.

Usage tips

  • Répliquer often sounds sharper or more confrontational than répondre, so répondre is usually safer for a neutral answer.

Other meanings

  • answerverb

Opposites

  • acquiesceracquiesceverb
  • se tairekeep silentverb

Related words

Word lists with this word