Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| modifier | /mɔ.di.fje/ |
| rediger | |
| éditer | /e.di.te/ |
| monter | /mɔ̃.te/ |
The verb refers to the act of changing a text or a document. Related nouns include modification or correction when referring to the change itself.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the specific type of editing you are doing. Use rédiger if you actually mean the process of writing, drafting or composing a text from scratch. Use éditer for the professional act of publishing a book or the technical process of releasing software or media. For editing media such as film, video or audio sequences by assembling clips, use monter.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word modifier is pronounced /mɔ.di.fje/ and has 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use éditer to mean 'to change a text' as one might do in a Word document, but in standard French, modifier is more natural for simple text changes.
Did you know?
- The French word for editing film, monter, literally means 'to climb' or 'to go up'. This originates from the physical act of stacking or assembling strips of film on top of each other during the cutting process.
- The word modifier comes from the Latin modus, meaning 'measure' or 'manner'. Historically, to modify something was to bring it into a proper measure or proportion.
- While éditer is a 'false friend' for English speakers, it is the root of the English word 'edition'. In French, however, the act of editing a book is more about the business of publishing than the act of correcting grammar.
Examples in context
- Cliquez pour éditer !Click to edit!This sentence shows how to use éditer in a command.Tatoeba #943368 by sacredceltic, translation #939468 by Muelisto
- Cliquez pour éditer.Click to edit.Tatoeba #5235105 by sicerabibax, translation #6051476 by mailohilohi
- Wikipédia est une encyclopédie libre que tout le monde peut modifier.Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.This sentence shows how to use modifier in a sentence about an encyclopedia.Tatoeba #11377528 by lbdx, translation #8300758 by Hybrid
- J'ai besoin de modifier ce document avant de le soumettre.I need to edit this document before submitting it.
- Le rédacteur a dû réviser son article plusieurs fois avant publication.The writer had to edit his article multiple times before publication.
- J'ai besoin de retoucher cette photo avant de la publier sur Instagram.I need to edit this photo before posting it on Instagram.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are working on a shared digital report.
- GabrielEmma, peux-tu modifier ce paragraphe ?Emma, can you edit this paragraph?
- EmmaOui, je vais le modifier tout de suite.Yes, I will edit it right away.
- GabrielMerci, c'est très gentil.Thank you, that's very kind.
- EmmaDe rien, Gabriel.You're welcome, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “edit” translations and entries modifier, éditer, monter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries modifier, monter, éditer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
