A1 Collocation 매우 격식체 2분 분량

penser l' homme

to penser the man

직역: to think the man

Use it to discuss the essence of humanity in academic or philosophical debates.

15초 만에

  • Conceptualizing humanity as a whole intellectual project.
  • Used in academic, philosophical, or very deep contexts.
  • Grammatically unique because it lacks the preposition 'à'.

To reflect deeply on the nature of humanity or to conceptualize what it means to be human. It is not about thinking of a specific person, but rather analyzing the human condition as a whole.

주요 예문

3 / 7
1

In a philosophy lecture

Le professeur nous a appris à penser l'homme à travers l'histoire.

The professor taught us to conceptualize man throughout history.

👔
2

Discussing Artificial Intelligence

Pour créer une IA éthique, il faut d'abord penser l'homme.

To create an ethical AI, we must first conceptualize humanity.

💼
3

Writing a formal essay

Penser l'homme au XXIe siècle est un défi complexe.

Reflecting on the nature of humanity in the 21st century is a complex challenge.

👔
🌍

문화적 배경

This expression is a staple of the 'Bac de Philo,' the mandatory philosophy exam for French high schoolers. It reflects the French intellectual tradition of 'Universalism,' which seeks to define human rights and nature through abstract reasoning. While 'l'homme' traditionally meant 'mankind,' modern academic circles are increasingly shifting toward 'l'humain' to be more inclusive.

⚠️

The 'À' Trap

If you add 'à' (penser à l'homme), you are just thinking about a specific man. To be a philosopher, drop the 'à'!

💬

The 'Bac' Secret

If you use this phrase in a French high school philosophy essay, you're almost guaranteed a higher grade. It's the ultimate 'insider' academic term.

15초 만에

  • Conceptualizing humanity as a whole intellectual project.
  • Used in academic, philosophical, or very deep contexts.
  • Grammatically unique because it lacks the preposition 'à'.

What It Means

This phrase is a heavy-hitter in French. It means to conceptualize or define humanity itself. You aren't just thinking about a specific guy or a friend. You are reflecting on the human condition. It is about what makes us human. Think of it as "theorizing the human being." It is very abstract and very French. It is the opposite of small talk.

How To Use It

You use it like a regular verb phrase. Notice there is no à after penser. Usually, you say penser à for "think about." Here, l'homme is the direct object. This change makes it sound much more intellectual. You are "thinking" the object into existence. It sounds like you are a philosophy professor. Try it when you want to sound very deep.

When To Use It

Use this in a university setting. It is perfect for a philosophy essay. You can use it during a serious debate. Maybe you are discussing ethics or new technology. It works well in art gallery conversations. If you are feeling very existential, use it. It shows you care about big questions. It is a great way to impress a French intellectual.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this at the bakery. The baker just wants to sell bread. Don't use it to talk about your crush. That would be penser à lui. If you say penser l'homme there, it's weird. People will think you are being pretentious. Keep it away from casual small talk. It is too heavy for a quick "hello" or a text about lunch.

Cultural Background

France has a long history of philosophy. Thinkers like Descartes and Sartre loved this style. The French school system focuses on this. Every high schooler takes a philosophy exam. This phrase is the soul of that exam. It reflects the French love for universal ideas. They love to analyze the "Human" with a capital H. It is a mark of a truly cultivated person.

Common Variations

Modern speakers often say penser l'humain. This is more inclusive and less gendered. You might also hear penser la condition humaine. That means "thinking the human condition." Another one is penser le sujet. This focuses on the individual as a concept. All these variations keep that same deep vibe. They all sound very smart and academic. Use them to vary your vocabulary.

사용 참고사항

This is a high-register academic expression. Use it sparingly to avoid sounding overly pretentious unless you are in a formal intellectual environment.

⚠️

The 'À' Trap

If you add 'à' (penser à l'homme), you are just thinking about a specific man. To be a philosopher, drop the 'à'!

💬

The 'Bac' Secret

If you use this phrase in a French high school philosophy essay, you're almost guaranteed a higher grade. It's the ultimate 'insider' academic term.

💡

Modernize It

To sound modern and progressive, swap 'l'homme' for 'l'humain'. It carries the same weight but feels 21st-century.

예시

7
#1 In a philosophy lecture
👔

Le professeur nous a appris à penser l'homme à travers l'histoire.

The professor taught us to conceptualize man throughout history.

Here, it refers to the academic study of human nature.

#2 Discussing Artificial Intelligence
💼

Pour créer une IA éthique, il faut d'abord penser l'homme.

To create an ethical AI, we must first conceptualize humanity.

Used to suggest that we need to understand humans before building machines.

#3 Writing a formal essay
👔

Penser l'homme au XXIe siècle est un défi complexe.

Reflecting on the nature of humanity in the 21st century is a complex challenge.

A classic opening line for a French intellectual paper.

#4 A deep late-night conversation with a friend
🤝

On est là à boire du vin et à penser l'homme, c'est très français !

Here we are drinking wine and philosophizing about humanity, it's very French!

A self-aware, slightly humorous way to use the phrase.

#5 Texting a fellow student about a paper
😊

Je galère trop à penser l'homme pour mon devoir de philo.

I'm struggling too much to conceptualize 'man' for my philosophy homework.

Using a formal concept in a casual texting format.

#6 Reflecting on a tragedy
💭

Face à une telle crise, nous devons repenser l'homme.

In the face of such a crisis, we must rethink humanity.

Used to express a need for a fundamental change in how we view ourselves.

#7 Joking about someone being too serious
😄

Arrête de penser l'homme deux minutes et passe-moi le sel !

Stop philosophizing about humanity for two minutes and pass me the salt!

Uses the phrase's weight to create a humorous contrast with a mundane task.

셀프 테스트

Choose the correct form to say 'to conceptualize humanity'.

Dans ce livre, l'auteur cherche à ___ l'homme.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: penser

In this specific philosophical sense, 'penser' is used as a transitive verb without the preposition 'à'.

Which word is the modern, gender-neutral alternative to 'l'homme' in this phrase?

Aujourd'hui, on préfère souvent penser ___.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: l'humain

'L'humain' is the standard modern term used to include all genders in philosophical discussion.

🎉 점수: /2

시각 학습 자료

Formality of 'Penser l'homme'

Informal

Almost never used unless joking.

Talking to a pet.

Neutral

Rarely used in daily life.

Deep talk with friends.

Formal

Common in literature and essays.

University lecture.

Very Formal

The standard for philosophy.

Academic thesis.

Where to 'Penser l'homme'

Penser l'homme
🎓

Philosophy Class

Analyzing Kant or Sartre.

🖼️

Art Gallery

Discussing a conceptual sculpture.

Late Night Café

Debating the future of society.

🔬

Scientific Ethics

Discussing cloning or AI.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No. To think about a guy, you say penser à un homme. Penser l'homme means to analyze the concept of humanity.

Not at all. It is very formal and mostly used in academic or intellectual settings like un cours de philosophie.

In this context, penser is a transitive verb. It means you are making 'humanity' the object of your intellectual construction.

Only if you are being ironic or joking about how 'deep' you are being. For example: Je suis en terrasse en train de penser l'homme.

In traditional French philosophy, l'homme refers to all of mankind. However, many people now prefer penser l'humain to be more inclusive.

Réfléchir is more about the process of thinking. Penser l'homme is about the result—creating a definition or concept of humanity.

Yes, but it usually implies a specific focus on gender studies or feminist philosophy rather than universal humanity.

Many French structuralists and existentialists, like Michel Foucault, used similar constructions to analyze human nature.

Pronounce it as /pɑ̃.se lɔm/. Ensure the 'l' slides right into 'homme' because the 'h' is silent.

You can also 'penser le monde' (conceptualize the world) or 'penser la société' (conceptualize society).

관련 표현

La condition humaine

Le propre de l'homme

Penser l'humain

L'humanisme

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