la existence
existence
C’est le fait d’être là, de vivre ou d’être présent dans le monde.
The French word "existence" means "existence" in English—it refers to the state or fact of living, being, or having actual presence.
Key meanings of "existence":
- The fact of being alive or real.
- The state of continuing to live or be present.
- A way of living or the conditions of life.
Synonyms and distinctions:
- Vie:
- Means "life," emphasizing the period or quality of life.
- Focuses on living experience, vitality, and lifespan.
- Unlike "existence," "vie" more often relates to human or living beings.
- Être:
- Literally means "being," related to existence but more abstract.
- Used in philosophy to denote the state of being.
- More general and can pertain to entities beyond life itself.
- Présence:
- Means "presence," referring to the state of being physically or figuratively present.
- Implies location or attendance rather than existence itself.
Summary: "Existence" highlights the state of simply existing or having reality, beyond just living (vie) or being present (présence). It is often used in abstract or philosophical contexts to discuss life, reality, or being.
Make “existence” part of your vocabulary.
Build your French vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Son existence reste un mystère pour beaucoup.noun
His existence remains a mystery for many.
L'existence de nouvelles planètes fascine les scientifiques.noun
The existence of new planets fascinates scientists.
Ils doutaient de l’existence de ce document.noun
They doubted the existence of this document.
Cette rencontre a changé toute son existence.noun
That encounter changed her entire existence.
Keep exploring French
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad