French word

représenter

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁəpʁezɑ̃te/

Meaning

  • verbrepresent

Example

Ce dessin représente ma famille.

This drawing represents my family.

Illustration for représenter (represent)

More examples

Le drapeau représente le pays.

The flag represents the country.

Core concept

Making something present to the mind or to an audience through a picture, symbol, description, or delegate.

Common phrases

  • représenter le pays

    represent the country

  • représenter un symbole

    represent a symbol

  • représenter une idée

    represent an idea

Similar words

montrer: Present an object or information clearly so it can be understood.
décrire: Set out the details of a person, thing, or event in words.
illustrer: Explain a text or idea more clearly through a diagram or example.
symboliser: Express another meaning or idea by serving as its symbol.

Definition in French

Décrire, symboliser ou montrer une chose pour en rendre l'image ou l'idée, ou agir comme représentant d'une personne ou d'un groupe.

Word origin

French inherited représenter from Latin repraesentare through Old French, with meanings linked to making an absent thing present.

Usage tips

  • Se représenter often means to picture or imagine something, unlike non-reflexive représenter for depicting or representing it.

Other meanings

  • depictverb
  • showverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word