multiplier
/myl.ti.pli.je/
To multiply in French is multiplier.
The verb multiplier is used to describe the mathematical action of performing multiplication.
Meaning: to perform multiplication (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of multiplier is multiplié.
How do you pronounce it?
/myl.ti.pli.je/
Did you know?
- The French word multiplier shares a root with the English word 'ply', which comes from the Latin 'plicare' meaning 'to fold'. To multiply something is literally to 'fold it many times'.
- French speakers use the related word multiple not only for numbers but also to describe a person who has many different talents or roles, often as un homme multiple.
- While 'to multiply' is used in English to mean 'to increase in number', in French, the phrase multiplier les efforts is a common way to describe working much harder.
Examples in context
- La seule manière sur Terre de multiplier le bonheur est de le diviser.The only way on Earth to multiply happiness is to divide it.This sentence shows how to use multiplier in a metaphorical sense regarding happiness.Tatoeba #4118 by TRANG, translation #2273 by Zifre
- Et je maintiendrai mon alliance avec toi, et je te multiplierai à l’infini.And I will make my covenant between me and thee: and I will multiply thee exceedingly.This sentence illustrates a figurative use of multiplier in the context of increasing something infinitely.Tatoeba #8589816 by Micsmithel, translation #7853906 by carlosalberto
- Si on te demande ce que font, par exemple, trente-trois par onze, tu ne sais toujours pas ce que ça signifie : multiplier ou diviser ?If you're asked what is, say, thirty-three by eleven, you still don't know what they meant: multiply or divide?This sentence uses multiplier to discuss the meaning of mathematical operations.Tatoeba #3467527 by Lulantis, translation #3467471 by Ooneykcall
- Je dois multiplier ces chiffresI have to multiply these numbers.
- Nous devons effectuer une multiplicationWe have to perform a multiplication.
- Nous devons faire une multiplicationWe have to do a multiplication.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are studying for a math test.
- GabrielEst-ce qu'on doit multiplier ces deux nombres ?Do we have to multiply these two numbers?
- ChloéOui, il faut multiplier par dix.Yes, you have to multiply by ten.
- GabrielChloé, tu peux m'aider avec cet exercice ?Chloé, can you help me with this exercise?
- ChloéBien sûr, Gabriel, pas de problème.Of course, Gabriel, no problem.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry multiplier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries multiplier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
