French Conversation · Level 82
60 words
French word
rétorquer
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁetɔʁke/
Meaning
- verbtalk back
Example
Il a rétorqué immédiatement à son collègue.
He immediately talked back to his colleague.
More examples
En réunion, elle a rétorqué en donnant un exemple.
At the meeting, she countered by giving an example.
Core concept
A short verbal twist that turns an opponent's remark back against it.
Common phrases
rétorquer un argument
counter an argument
lui rétorquer un argument
throw an argument back at him
Similar words
répondre: To provide an answer to a question or a request.
répliquer: To reply in words to what someone says during an argument.
Definition in French
Faire une brève riposte pour contester une remarque, parfois avec ironie ou mordant.
Word origin
Latin retorquere combined re-, "back," with torquere, "to twist"; French rétorquer developed this "twist back" idea into a term for verbal replies.
Usage tips
- Rétorquer is more pointed and often more formal than répondre, so it can suggest confrontation rather than a neutral answer.
Opposites
- se tairekeep quietverb