rendre hommage
/ʁɑ̃.dʁ‿ɔ.maʒ/
To pay respect in French is rendre hommage.
The phrase rendre hommage is used to demonstrate respect, typically in formal or solemn contexts such as ceremonies, funerals or official commemorations. It is often used when honoring a person's life or achievements.
Meaning: demonstrate respect (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb rendre (to render or give) and the noun hommage (homage).
Which one should you use?
While the verb saluer can mean to greet or salute someone, rendre hommage is much more profound and is specifically reserved for honoring a person's life or achievements.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you specify whom you are paying respect to, you must use the preposition à after the phrase, forming rendre hommage à (to pay respect to).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of rendre hommage is /ʁɑ̃.dʁ‿ɔ.maʒ/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word hommage is derived from homme, meaning 'man', because it originally described a medieval vassal pledging loyalty to a lord.
- While English uses a financial metaphor in 'paying' respect, the French rendre means 'to give back' or 'to return', implying the respect is a debt owed to the person.
- While rendre hommage is solemn, French speakers use faire un clin d'œil ('to give a wink') to pay a subtle or playful tribute to a piece of art or history in a creative work.
Examples in context
- Les gens se rendent au cimetière, aujourd'hui, afin de rendre hommage à leurs chers disparus.People are going to the cemetery today to pay respect to their deceased loved ones.This sentence shows how to use rendre hommage when visiting a cemetery to honor the deceased.Tatoeba #3598569 by sacredceltic, translation #3598251 by mervert1
- Nous sommes tous réunis ici pour rendre hommage à nos ancêtres.We are all gathered here to pay our respects to our ancestors.
- J'ai tenu à témoigner mon respect à mon professeur lors de son départ à la retraite.I wanted to show my respect to my teacher on his retirement.
- J'ai beaucoup de respect pour mon frère aîné.I have a lot of respect for my older brother.
- Elle fait preuve de beaucoup de respect envers ses grand-parents.She shows a lot of respect towards her grandparents.
- Je lui ai adressé mes respects et mes voeux de bon rétablissement.I sent him my respects and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
- Le peuple veut rendre hommage à ce grand artiste.The people want to pay respect to this great artist.
- Nous allons rendre hommage à sa mémoire lors de la cérémonie.We will pay respect to his memory during the ceremony.
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are discussing a tribute for a deceased colleague.
- ManonGabriel, veux-tu rendre hommage à notre ancien collègue ?Gabriel, do you want to pay respect to our former colleague?
- GabrielOui, c'est un geste important pour lui.Yes, it is an important gesture for him.
- ManonJe pense que nous devrions écrire un discours.I think we should write a speech.
- GabrielC'est une excellente idée, Manon.That is an excellent idea, Manon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rendre hommage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hommage, rendre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
