valeur absolue
/va.lœ.ʁ‿ap.sɔ.ly/feminine
In French, absolute value is said as valeur absolue.
The phrase refers to the numerical value of a real number.
Meaning: numerical value of a real number (noun)
Which one should you use?
While valeur absolue is the standard term, the term Module is used to refer to absolute value in advanced mathematical contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
valeur absolue is a feminine noun phrase, so any accompanying adjectives must also be in the feminine form. The plural form of the phrase is valeurs absolues.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /va.lœ.ʁ‿ap.sɔ.ly/. It consists of 5 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word absolue comes from the Latin absolutus, meaning 'loosened' or 'set free', which is why the term implies a value stripped of its sign.
- While 'valeur absolue' is the mathematical term, if you use the word 'absolu' to describe a person in a social context, it can imply they are fanatical or uncompromising.
- The word valeur shares a root with the English word 'valor', meaning courage or strength, stemming from the Latin 'valere' which means 'to be strong' or 'to be worth'.
Examples in context
- Aux échecs, la valeur relative des pièces est normalement la suivante : la dame vaut 9, la tour 5, le fou 3, le cavalier 3 et le pion 1. Le roi a une valeur absolue.In the game of chess, the relative value of pieces is usually as follows: the queen is worth 9, the rook 5, the bishop 3, the knight also 3, and the pawn 1. The king has absolute value.This sentence is useful for illustrating how the term valeur absolue is used when comparing a piece's value to others in chess.Tatoeba #10283379 by carlosalberto, translation #10283375 by carlosalberto
- La valeur absolue de -5 est 5.The absolute value of -5 is 5.
- Le module de z = -3 + 2i est égal à √(3² + 2²).The absolute value of z = -3 + 2i is equal to √(3² + 2²).
- Tu dois prendre la valeur absolue de |x|.You need to take the absolute value of |x|.
- Note que le module du nombre complexe z est toujours positif.Note that the absolute value of the complex number z is always positive.
- Les valeurs absolues des nombres négatifs sont positives.The absolute values of negative numbers are positive.
- |x| représente la valeur absolue de x.|X| represents the absolute value of x.
- Calcule la valeur absolue de ce nombre.Calculate the absolute value of this number.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are studying mathematics together.
- EmmaLucas, tu comprends la valeur absolue ?Lucas, do you understand absolute value?
- LucasOui, c'est toujours un nombre positif.Yes, it is always a positive number.
- EmmaExactement, c'est la distance par rapport à zéro.Exactly, it is the distance from zero.
- LucasMerci pour l'explication, Emma.Thanks for the explanation, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “absolute value” translations and entries valeur absolue, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries valeur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
