penser l' homme
to penser the man
字面意思: to think the man
Use it to discuss the essence of humanity in academic or philosophical debates.
15秒了解
- Conceptualizing humanity as a whole intellectual project.
- Used in academic, philosophical, or very deep contexts.
- Grammatically unique because it lacks the preposition 'à'.
意思
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.
关键例句
3 / 7In 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.
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.
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.
文化背景
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.
15秒了解
- 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.
使用说明
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.
例句
7Le 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
自我测试
Choose the correct form to say 'to conceptualize humanity'.
Dans ce livre, l'auteur cherche à ___ l'homme.
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 ___.
'L'humain' is the standard modern term used to include all genders in philosophical discussion.
🎉 得分: /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of 'Penser l'homme'
Almost never used unless joking.
Talking to a pet.
Rarely used in daily life.
Deep talk with friends.
Common in literature and essays.
University lecture.
The standard for philosophy.
Academic thesis.
Where to '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.
常见问题
10 个问题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).
相关表达
La condition humaine
Le propre de l'homme
Penser l'humain
L'humanisme
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