Vouloir dire
Example: Que veux-tu dire par cette phrase ambiguë ?
Definition
"Vouloir dire" means to express or intend a particular meaning or message through words or actions. It is commonly used to ask or explain what someone means by a statement, such as in the phrase 'Que veux-tu dire par cette phrase ambiguë?' meaning 'What do you mean by this ambiguous sentence?'
Etymology
The phrase "vouloir dire" comes from the French verbs 'vouloir' meaning 'to want' and 'dire' meaning 'to say.' Together, they literally translate to 'want to say,' indicating the intention behind a statement. Did you know? This combination highlights the connection between desire and expression in communication.
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"Vouloir dire" appears in the Vocaplus list "French - General - (B2) - set 4", containing 112 commonly used words.
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