French word

symboliquement

Pronunciation

IPA/sɛ̃bolikəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbsymbolically

Example

Il a symboliquement remis les clés.

He symbolically handed over the keys.

Illustration for symboliquement (symbolically)

More examples

Ils ont offert symboliquement des fleurs au monument.

They symbolically offered flowers to the monument.

Core concept

A visible gesture or object stands for an idea or value while leaving the material situation unchanged.

Common phrases

  • faire symboliquement

    do symbolically

  • offrir symboliquement

    offer symbolically

Similar words

réellement: As an actual fact or part of real life.
concrètement: In a concrete, visible form or with a definite effect.

Definition in French

Par un signe ou une action qui représente une idée ou une valeur sans produire d'effet matériel.

Word origin

French symboliquement derives from the adjective symbolique with the adverbial suffix -ment, and symbolique ultimately comes from Greek symbolon.

Usage tips

  • In French, symboliquement often marks a ceremonial or representative act, so it does not necessarily imply that the act has practical legal or material effect.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word