comparer
/kɔ̃.pa.ʁe/
To compare in French is comparer.
The verb comparer is used to assess the similarities between two things or between one thing and another. You may also use the phrase à la différence de to mean "in contrast to" and à l'opposé de to mean "opposite to".
Meaning: to assess the similarities between two things or between one thing and another (verb)
Which one should you use?
If you wish to express the idea of comparing two things side by side in a more formal manner, you can use the expression mettre en parallèle.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb, you can use the preposition à (comparer à) to mean "to compare to" or the preposition avec (comparer avec) to mean "to compare with". If you are talking about a person comparing themselves to someone or something else, use the reflexive form se comparer à.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /kɔ̃.pa.ʁe/.
Did you know?
- In French, if you want to say you are 'comparing apples to oranges' in a way that implies they are fundamentally different, you might use the expression comparer des choux et des carottes, which literally means 'to compare cabbages and carrots'.
- In a legal context, comparer can mean to appear in court, as in comparaitre, which stems from the same root of coming together or being placed before another.
- The term comparatif refers not only to a type of adjective but also to a specific type of advertising called publicité comparative, which is strictly regulated by law in France.
Examples in context
- Essayons de comparer son œuvre avec les leurs.Let us try to compare his works with theirs.This sentence shows how to use comparer with the preposition avec.Tatoeba #1590080 by Petrus, translation #1728530 by belgavox
- Laissez-moi comparer la traduction avec l'original.Let me compare the translation with the original.This sentence demonstrates the use of comparer to compare two objects.Tatoeba #3687630 by pjer, translation #3687633 by MTC
- Peu de choses peuvent se comparer à la joie qui se lit sur le visage de votre enfant lorsqu'il ouvre ses cadeaux de Noël.Few things can compare to the joy on your child's face as they open their Christmas presents.This sentence uses the reflexive form se comparer à to describe how things compare to a feeling.Tatoeba #9521605 by Micsmithel, translation #3715195 by patgfisher
- Je vais comparer les prix avant de prendre une décision.I will compare the prices before making a decision.
- Il faut mettre en parallèle les avantages et les inconvénients.We need to compare the advantages and the disadvantages side by side.
- Il est important de faire une comparaison minutieuse avant de prendre une décision.It's important to make a thorough comparison before making a decision.
- J'ai remarqué que ces deux produits se rapprochent beaucoup.I noticed that these two products are quite similar.
- Les étudiants comparent les résultatsThe students are comparing the results
- La professeure compare les théoriesThe female professor is comparing the theories
- À la différence de toi, il aime le chocolatIn contrast to you, he likes chocolate
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are looking at two different phone models in a shop.
- LucasOn peut comparer ces deux modèles ?Can we compare these two models?
- ChloéOui, comparons leurs prix d'abord.Yes, let's compare their prices first.
- LucasIl est difficile de comparer la qualité.It is difficult to compare the quality.
- ChloéTu as raison, Lucas.You are right, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “compare” translations and entries comparer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
