verb

avouer

admit · confess

Dire la vérité sur quelque chose que l’on a fait, souvent quand c’est difficile ou gênant.

The French verb "avouer" means "to admit" or "to confess." It refers to the act of openly acknowledging something, often something that was previously hidden, secret, or denied.

Meaning:

To recognize or acknowledge truthfully a fact, feeling, or act.
Often used in contexts like admitting a mistake, confessing guilt, or revealing a feeling.

Example sentences:

Il a avoué son erreur. (He admitted his mistake.)
Elle a avoué qu'elle avait menti. (She confessed that she had lied.)

Synonyms and differences:

Confesser: Also means "to confess," but often has a stronger religious or formal tone, like confessing sins.
Reconnaître: Means "to recognize" or "to admit," but is often used for acknowledging rights, facts, or responsibilities rather than personal admissions.
Admettre: Means "to admit" or "accept," and can be used in more formal contexts, sometimes closer to accepting a fact or argument rather than confessing guilt or feelings.

In summary, "avouer" is commonly used in everyday speech when admitting something personally or emotionally significant, often with a nuance of sincerity or honesty.