incarner
embody
Prendre une forme vivante ou représenter une idée, un rôle ou une qualité de façon claire.
The French verb "incarner" means "to embody" or "to personify." It refers to the act of giving a human form or representation to an idea, character, quality, or spirit, either literally (in acting, for example) or metaphorically.
Meaning:
- To physically or clearly represent a character, concept, or quality.
- Often used in arts and literature when an actor plays a role: "L'acteur incarne Hamlet" (The actor embodies Hamlet).
- Can also mean to represent abstract ideas or values in a tangible form.
Synonyms and Differences:
- Représenter: Means "to represent" in a broader sense, including symbols or signs, not necessarily personal embodiment.
- Personnifier: Means "to personify," often used for abstract qualities represented as human figures, very close to "incarner."
- Symboliser: Means "to symbolize," focusing on indirect or symbolic representation rather than a direct embodiment.
"Incarner" implies an active and often physical representation, while the others may be more abstract or symbolic.
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Examples
Elles ont su incarner l'esprit de solidarité pendant la fête.verb
They managed to embody the spirit of solidarity during the celebration.
Comment peux-tu incarner cette valeur au quotidien ?verb
How can you embody this value in your daily life?
Ce jeune acteur a parfaitement incarné le rôle de l'explorateur dans son dernier film.verb
This young actor perfectly embodied the role of the explorer in his latest film.
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