reprise
/ʁə.pʁiz/
The French word reprise means to repeat or resume an action.
In a musical context, reprise refers to a cover version of a song. In non-musical contexts, it refers to the resumption of an activity after an interruption, such as la reprise du travail (the resumption of work).
Meaning: to repeat or resume an action (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from the prefix re- (again/back) and the verb prendre (to take), literally meaning a 'taking back' or 'resumption'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun reprise describes the act of resuming, but the corresponding verb used to perform the action of resuming or repeating is reprendre. In certain technical or scientific contexts, reprise may be translated as the formal term réactivation.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /ʁə.pʁiz/.
Did you know?
- In the context of French fashion and sewing, a 'reprise' can refer to a repair or a patch applied to a garment.
- In a French business context, une reprise can refer to the acquisition of a failing company by a new owner to save it from bankruptcy.
- The word reprise can be used in a medical sense to describe the 'relapse' or return of a disease after a period of improvement.
Examples in context
- Sa reprise de « All along the watchtower » en hommage à Jimi Hendrix a laissé les fans sur leur faim.His reprise of "All Along the Watchtower" in homage to Jimi Hendrix left fans unsatisfied.This sentence shows how reprise is used to describe a musical cover version.Tatoeba #518841 by Micsmithel, translation #6840782 by kaiperkins271
- Il faut reprendre les travaux après la pause déjeuner.We need to resume work after lunch break.
- J'ai repris possession de mes biens après le vol.I regained possession of my belongings after the robbery.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry reprise, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
