French Conversation · Level 126
51 words
French word
repère
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁəpɛʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounlandmark
Example
Ce phare est un bon repère.
This lighthouse is a good landmark.
More examples
Ce panneau sert de repère pour les randonneurs.
This sign serves as a landmark for hikers.
Core concept
A fixed point that helps locate a place, route, or situation.
Common phrases
point de repère
landmark
repère visuel
visual marker
perdre ses repères
lose one's bearings
Similar words
signal: An indication that provides information about location or circumstances.
marque: A distinctive mark used to identify an object or site.
référence: A standard consulted when judging or evaluating something.
trace: Evidence or a remnant indicating a past presence.
Definition in French
Élément perceptible ou conceptuel qui sert d'orientation pour se repérer ou comme indice permettant d'identifier quelque chose.
Word origin
The noun repère comes from repérer, ultimately related to Latin reperire, 'to find again', whose locating sense fits a reference point.
Usage tips
- Repère is masculine, as in un repère, and is pronounced like repaire, which means an animal's lair, so the spelling matters.
Other meanings
- cluenoun
- indicatornoun
Opposites
- désorientationdisorientationnoun
- incertitudeuncertaintynoun