activateur
/ak.ti.va.tœʁ/
The English word "activator" translates to French as activateur.
Activateur is the standard translation for "activator". Depending on the context, other terms may be more precise: in biological or enzymatic reactions, you might use promoteur. In technology or electronics, déclencheur is often used for a "trigger". And enclencheur can refer to an activator of a specific process or mechanism.
Meaning: one who activates (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form is activatrice and the masculine plural form is activateurs.
How do you pronounce it?
/ak.ti.va.tœʁ/
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might call a person an 'activator' in a social movement, a French speaker would almost always use the word activiste instead of activateur for someone involved in political or social causes.
- The word activateur can also refer to a specific type of beauty product, such as a 'skin activator' or 'cell activator' in French cosmetics, whereas in English these are often called 'boosters'.
- In French sports, someone who 'activates' a team's energy is typically called a meneur or dynamiseur rather than an activateur.
Examples in context
- L'activateur chimique est essentiel pour démarrer la réaction.The chemical activator is crucial to initiate the reaction.
- J'ai besoin d'un déclencheur pour lancer cette fonctionnalité sur mon téléphone.I need an activator to launch this feature on my phone.
- Cet activateur stimule la croissance des plantes.This activator stimulates plant growth.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are working in a chemistry lab.
- LucasOù est l'activateur pour ce mélange ?Where is the activator for this mixture?
- LéaL'activateur est sur l'étagère, Lucas.The activator is on the shelf, Lucas.
- LucasMerci, je vais l'ajouter maintenant.Thanks, I will add it now.
- LéaFais attention en versant le produit.Be careful when pouring the product.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry activateur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
