dessiner
/de.si.ne/
The English verb "to draw" (meaning to produce a picture) is translated into French as dessiner.
dessiner is used to mean producing a picture, but it is also used in the sense of designing or sketching out a plan or layout. Related to this, the noun tirage refers to a lottery draw, while égalité, match nul or remise are used to describe a tie in a game.
Meaning: to produce a picture (verb)
Which one should you use?
While dessiner covers the general act of drawing a picture or designing a layout, you might use other words depending on the context and tone.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of dessiner is dessiné (drawn).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /de.si.ne/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The phrase dessiner can be used to describe the way a garment fits the body, such as clothes that 'draw' or trace the lines of a silhouette.
- The French term for a cartoon is dessin animé, which literally translates to a 'moving drawing'.
- The English word 'design' and the French verb dessiner share the same Latin ancestor, designāre, which meant 'to mark out' or 'to designate'.
Examples in context
- Je ne sais pas dessiner.I can't draw.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to use the verb dessiner.Tatoeba #7412114 by lbdx, translation #5740248 by Hybrid
- Je sais qu'il sait dessiner.I know that he can draw.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone else has the ability to use the verb dessiner.Tatoeba #401962 by qdii, translation #401960 by FeuDRenais
- Je veux apprendre à dessiner.I want to learn how to draw.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn the verb dessiner.Tatoeba #11776923 by lbdx, translation #8056920 by CK
- Je vais dessiner un paysageI am going to draw a landscape
- Il faut tracer les contours du visageYou need to draw the outlines of the face
- J'ai passé l'après-midi à faire un dessin pour ma sœurI spent the afternoon drawing a picture for my sister
- J'aime gribouiller sur les marges de mes cahiersI like to doodle in the margins of my notebooks
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are at an art class.
- ChloéQu'est-ce que tu aimes dessiner, Gabriel ?What do you like to draw, Gabriel?
- GabrielJ'aime dessiner des paysages et des arbres.I like to draw landscapes and trees.
- ChloéC'est super, je préfère dessiner des visages.That's great, I prefer to draw faces.
- GabrielTu peux me montrer tes dessins, Chloé ?Can you show me your drawings, Chloé?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “draw” translations and entries dessiner, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dessiner, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
