How to Say "Dessiner" in French

dessiner

/de.si.ne/

To draw in French is dessiner.

The verb dessiner refers specifically to drawing or sketching lines and shapes.

Which one should you use?

While dessiner is used for drawing lines and sketches, the verb peindre is used when you are painting with colors.

The past participle of dessiner is dessiné. For the first and third person singular in the present tense, use the form dessine.

The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /de.si.ne/.

In French, you cannot use dessiner to describe 'drawing the curtains' or 'drawing a bath'. For these actions, French speakers use tirer for curtains and faire for a bath.
When talking about a person's physical features, the phrase bien dessiné is used to describe someone with a 'well-defined' or toned physique, as if their muscles were sketched clearly.
The verb dessiner is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'design'. Both words trace their ancestry back to the same Latin root, 'designāre'.

Je suis en train de réaliser un dessin.
I am in the process of making a drawing.
Je pratique l'art du dessin.
I practice the art of drawing.
Je suis en train de griffonner.
I'm doodling.
Je fais un petit croquis.
I'm making a quick sketch.
Je barbouille un dessin.
I'm scribbling a drawing.
J'adore dessiner des paysages avec des couleurs vives.
I love drawing landscapes with vibrant colors.
Elle a un talent inné pour le dessin.
She has a natural talent for drawing.
J'aime dessiner des paysages.
I like to draw landscapes.
Elle veut dessiner un portrait.
She wants to draw a portrait.
Tu peux dessiner un cercle ?
Can you draw a circle?

Léa and Hugo are at an art class.

Léa

Qu'est-ce que tu veux dessiner, Hugo ?
What do you want to draw, Hugo?
Hugo

Je vais dessiner un portrait de toi.
I am going to draw a portrait of you.
Léa

C'est très gentil de ta part !
That is very kind of you!
Hugo

Reste immobile pour que je puisse dessiner.
Stay still so that I can draw.

Sources

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