B1 verb Neutral

expliquer

/ɛks.pli.ke/

To make an idea or situation clear by describing it in more detail or revealing the cause. Vital for analysis and argumentation.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Explique-moi comment ça marche.

Explain to me how it works.

2

Le conférencier va expliquer sa théorie.

The speaker will explain his theory.

3

T'as rien à expliquer !

You have nothing to explain!

Word Family

Noun
explication
Verb
expliquer
Adverb
explicitement
Adjective
explicatif
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'explain' in English.

Quick Quiz

Le professeur va ___ la leçon de grammaire.

Correct!

The correct answer is: expliquer

Examples

1

Explique-moi comment ça marche.

everyday

Explain to me how it works.

2

Le conférencier va expliquer sa théorie.

formal

The speaker will explain his theory.

3

T'as rien à expliquer !

informal

You have nothing to explain!

4

Plusieurs facteurs peuvent expliquer ce phénomène.

academic

Several factors can explain this phenomenon.

5

L'expert doit nous expliquer le contrat.

business

The expert must explain the contract to us.

Word Family

Noun
explication
Verb
expliquer
Adverb
explicitement
Adjective
explicatif

Common Collocations

expliquer en détail to explain in detail
expliquer la raison to explain the reason
s'expliquer sur to explain oneself about
difficile à expliquer hard to explain
expliquer clairement to explain clearly

Common Phrases

ceci explique cela

that explains it

pour tout vous expliquer

to explain everything to you

laisser expliquer

to let someone explain

Often Confused With

expliquer vs exposer

Exposer is to present or display; expliquer is to make understandable.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'expliquer que' followed by the indicative mood.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the 'i' after the 'u' (spelling it 'expluquer').

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'explain' in English.

📖

Word Origin

From Latin 'explicare', meaning to 'unfold' or 'unroll'.

Grammar Patterns

expliquer [something] à [someone] expliquer que + [clause]

Quick Quiz

Le professeur va ___ la leçon de grammaire.

Correct!

The correct answer is: expliquer

Related Phrases

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