verb

raser

shave

C'est enlever les poils ou la barbe avec un outil spécial, comme un rasoir.

Word: raser

Language: French


Meaning

The French verb "raser" primarily means "to shave" or "to shave off."


Explanation

  1. Literal meaning:

    • To shave hair or fur, typically using a razor. For example, "se raser" means "to shave oneself," usually referring to facial shaving for men.
    • To shave very close to the skin.
  2. Figurative meaning:

    • To "razor" or "flatten" in the sense of completely destroying or leveling something. For example, "Le bâtiment a été rasé" means "The building was razed" or "The building was demolished."

Composition

  • The root "ras-" connects to the idea of shaving or cutting close.
  • The verb "raser" is a regular -er verb in French.

Synonyms

  • For shaving hair:
    • épiler (to pluck, to remove hair)
    • couper (to cut, though less specific)
  • For demolishing/flattening:
    • démolir (to demolish)
    • rayer (to erase, but less used for buildings)
    • abattre (to knock down, more general)

Antonyms

  • For shaving hair:
    • laisser pousser (to let grow, opposite of shaving/cutting short)
  • For demolishing/flattening:
    • construire (to build)
    • élever (to raise or build up)

In summary

"Raser" means to shave closely or to completely destroy something by flattening it. It can refer to personal grooming or to demolition, depending on the context.

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Examples

Je dois me raser ce matin.verb

I have to shave this morning.

Tu veux raser ta barbe avant de sortir.verb

You want to shave your beard before going out.

Le coiffeur a rasé la tête du client.verb

The barber shaved the customer's head.

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