réalité
/ʁe.a.li.te/feminine
The English word "reality" is translated into French as réalité.
réalité refers to the entirety of all that is real. To express the idea of facing reality, you can use the figurative expression Les yeux ouverts, which means "with eyes open". In more informal contexts, when referring specifically to the tangible, everyday world or "real life", speakers may use the phrase La vraie vie.
Meaning: entirety of all that is real (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because réalité is a feminine noun, the definite article used is la rather than le, resulting in la réalité.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁe.a.li.te/
Did you know?
- In French, if you want to say someone is 'out of touch with reality', you might say they are dans la lune, which literally translates to 'in the moon'.
- A person who is very down-to-earth and focused on reality might be described as terre à terre, meaning 'earth to earth'.
- The word réalité is a learned borrowing from the Medieval Latin reālitās, which evolved from the Late Latin reālis.
Examples in context
- Regardons la réalité !Let's face the reality!This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase réalité in the context of facing it.Tatoeba #1076338 by sacredceltic, translation #1076344 by Eldad
- C'est devenu une réalité.It has become a reality.This sentence shows how réalité can be used to describe something that has become a fact.Tatoeba #8738603 by Julien_PDC, translation #8738625 by Adelpa
- La réalité est différente.The reality is different.This sentence demonstrates the use of the definite article with réalité.Tatoeba #8328557 by Julien_PDC, translation #5744495 by CM
- Il est essentiel de faire face à la réalité .It is essential to face reality.
- Il a enfin ouvert les yeux sur la réalité de la situation.He has finally opened his eyes to the reality of the situation.
- 112 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their dreams and goals.
- ChloéJe rêve de voyager partout, mais la réalité est compliquée.I dream of traveling everywhere, but reality is complicated.
- GabrielC'est vrai, Gabriel sait que c'est difficile.That's true, Gabriel knows it is difficult.
- ChloéIl faut accepter la réalité pour avancer.We must accept reality to move forward.
- GabrielTu as raison, Chloé, soyons pragmatiques.You are right, Chloé, let's be pragmatic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reality” translations and entries réalité, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries réalité, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
