imprimer
/ɛ̃.pʁi.me/
To print in French is imprimer.
The verb imprimer is used to describe the act of producing a copy of a text or image on a surface, typically using a machine. If you are referring to the machine itself, use l'imprimante (the printer). When discussing the act of printing or the result of printing, you can use the feminine noun l'impression. For the physical printed material, such as books, use the masculine noun l'imprimé. If you are referring to a visible impression left on a surface, use empreinte. To describe the process of stamping or embossing, use the masculine noun l'estampage.
Meaning: to produce a copy of a text or image on a surface, especially by machine (verb)
Which one should you use?
Use the verb imprimer to describe the action of printing. In contrast, imprimé refers to an object that has been printed or the state of being printed.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of imprimer is imprimé.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛ̃.pʁi.me/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use imprimer to mean 'to impress' someone. If you want to say you are impressing someone, use impressionner instead.
Did you know?
- To describe the 'print' of a fabric or wallpaper, French speakers often use motif instead of a word derived from imprimer.
- The French word imprimer is a 'doublet' of the word empreindre. This means they both come from the same Latin root but entered the language at different times.
- The phrase faire bonne impression means to make a good impression. Despite the word impression, it has nothing to do with ink or paper.
Examples in context
- Aide-moi à imprimer ça.Help me print this.This sentence is useful for asking for help with the act of printing with imprimer.Tatoeba #1470235 by sacredceltic, translation #1468427 by CK
- Peux-tu imprimer ceci, s'il te plaît ?Can you please print this?This sentence is useful for a polite request to print something with imprimer.Tatoeba #13084317 by Rovo, translation #12154954 by shekitten
- Peux-tu imprimer ce document pour moi ?Can you print out this document for me?This sentence is useful for asking someone to print a specific document with imprimer.Tatoeba #7774565 by Rockaround, translation #5696037 by shea
- J'ai besoin de faire une impression de ce documentI need to make a printout of this document.
- Avant de distribuer le document, vérifiez l'épreuveBefore distributing the document, review the printout.
- Je vais chercher les imprimés pour la réunionI'll get the printouts for the meeting.
- J'ai besoin de faire une impression de ce contrat avant la réunionI need to print a copy of this contract before the meeting.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo is at the office and needs to use the printer.
- HugoEst-ce que l'imprimante peut imprimer ce rapport ?Can the printer print this report?
- EmmaOui, Hugo, elle peut imprimer sans problème.Yes, Hugo, it can print without any problems.
- HugoMerci Emma, je vais essayer d'imprimer maintenant.Thanks Emma, I will try to print now.
- EmmaPas de souci, préviens-moi quand c'est fini.No worries, let me know when it's finished.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “print” translations and entries imprimer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries imprimer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
