French Conversation · Level 96
60 words
French word
retracer
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁətʁase/
Meaning
- verbretrace
Example
Nous devons retracer nos pas pour retrouver la clé.
We need to retrace our steps to find the key.
More examples
Il veut retracer l'histoire de sa famille.
He wants to trace his family's history.
Core concept
A path is followed backward, with each step or event placed in its original order.
Common phrases
retracer ses pas
retrace his steps
retracer l'histoire
trace the history
Similar words
retrouver: To find a lost item or locate a missing person or place.
suivre: To follow someone or something.
raconter: To recount events or a story in chronological order.
remonter: To trace something back to an earlier time or its cause.
Definition in French
Revenir sur un parcours effectué ou reconstruire et présenter la chronologie d'événements.
Word origin
Retracer combines the prefix re- with tracer, which comes from Old French tracier, meaning to draw or mark a line.
Usage tips
- Retracer ses pas is a common phrase for going back over a route, while retracer un événement means reconstructing its sequence.