intérioriser
internalize
Faire sienne une idée, une émotion ou une règle, en la gardant en soi plutôt que de l’exprimer ouvertement.
Definition & meaning
The verb intérioriser primarily means to internalize. It describes the process of incorporating an idea, a belief, a social norm, or a feeling into one's own mind or character so that it becomes a natural part of oneself.
In a psychological or sociological context, it refers to how individuals adopt external values or behaviors until they are no longer seen as outside impositions but as personal convictions. For example, a child might intérioriser the rules of their parents.
It can also mean to keep a feeling or emotion inside rather than expressing it outwardly. If someone chooses to intérioriser their anger, they process it mentally without showing physical or verbal signs of frustration to others.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a regular verb belonging to the first group, ending in -er. It is derived from the French adjective intérieur, which means inner or interior.
The structure consists of:
- The root intérieur, coming from the Latin interior (further within).
- The suffix -iser, which is used to form verbs meaning "to make" or "to render."
Therefore, the literal construction of the word is "to make interior."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms: To express the idea of taking something in and making it part of oneself, you can use assimiler or intégrer. If the focus is on taking possession of an idea, s'approprier is common. In more specific contexts, absorber can be used to describe soaking up information or influences.
Antonyms: The most direct opposite is extérioriser, which means to give outward expression to internal feelings. Other opposites related to expressing or showing include manifester, exprimer, and dégager.
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Examples
Je n’arrive pas à intérioriser mes émotions.verb
I can't internalize my emotions.
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