French Conversation · Level 87
60 words
French word
relater
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁəlate/
Meaning
- verbtell
Example
Il m'a relaté son voyage en Afrique.
He told me about his trip to Africa.
More examples
Elle a relaté les faits au juge.
She recounted the facts to the judge.
Core concept
A speaker selects the essential facts of an event or statement and passes them on without adding much personal color.
Common phrases
relater une histoire
recount a story
relater les faits
recount the facts
Similar words
raconter: Describe an event fully, recounting it from beginning to end.
rapporter: Convey information or an account based on what was heard or seen.
dire: Communicate something verbally or put it into words.
expliquer: Clarify how or why something works through detailed explanation.
Definition in French
Raconter ou rapporter de manière plutôt neutre les éléments essentiels d'un fait ou d'une parole, en privilégiant l'information sur l'expression personnelle.
Word origin
French relater comes from Latin relatus, the past participle of referre, meaning to bring back or report, through learned French formation.
Usage tips
- Relater is more formal and report-like than raconter, which is usually more natural for casual storytelling.