French Conversation · Level 146
30 words
French word
riposte
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁipɔst/
Meaning
- feminine nounreply
Example
Il a donné une riposte brève.
He gave a brief reply.
More examples
La riposte directe l'a mis mal à l'aise.
The direct reply made him uncomfortable.
Core concept
A pointed counterstroke in conversation, delivered fast enough to seize the initiative.
Common phrases
une riposte verbale
a verbal retort
une riposte directe
a direct reply
Similar words
réponse: A spoken reply or action in response to a question or statement.
réplique: An immediate answer to something another person has said.
repartie: A short, clever retort to another person's remark.
Definition in French
Réponse brève et souvent vive faite pour contrer une remarque, parfois avec esprit.
Word origin
French borrowed riposte from Italian riposta, meaning a reply, with the sense of a fencing counterattack preceding its figurative use in verbal exchanges.
Usage tips
- Riposte often suggests wit or sharpness, whereas réponse is more neutral for a plain answer.