réinitialiser
/ʁe.i.ni.sja.li.ze/
The English verb 'reset' (to set back to the initial state) can be translated into French as réinitialiser or remettre à zéro.
Meaning: to set back to the initial state (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| réinitialiser | /ʁe.i.ni.sja.li.ze/ |
| remettre à zéro | /ʁə.mɛ.tʁ‿a ze.ʁo/ |
The verb réinitialiser is the standard technical term used when discussing software, electronic devices or digital settings, such as resetting a password or a router. The phrase remettre à zéro is used more colloquially and often refers to resetting counters, scores or numerical values.
Which one should you use?
Réinitialiser is the precise term for technical processes involving software or factory settings. In contrast, remettre à zéro is more informal and is typically used when one wants to return a count or a measurement to zero.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of réinitialiser is réinitialisé.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁe.i.ni.sja.li.ze/
Did you know?
- When talking about a 'hard reset' on a device, French users often use the English word 'reset' as a noun, treating it as an anglicism within a French sentence.
- The word zéro in remettre à zéro shares a common ancestor with the word chiffre 'digit' or 'figure'. Both words trace their roots back to the Arabic word صفر 'sifr'.
- While remettre à zéro is used for counters, French speakers also use it metaphorically to describe a 'fresh start' in a relationship or a career.
Examples in context
- Comment réinitialiser mon mot de passe ?How do I reset my password?This sentence demonstrates the use of réinitialiser when asking how to reset a password.Tatoeba #10266072 by lbdx, translation #8493750 by Amastan
- Vous pouvez effectuer une réinitialisation des paramètres depuis le menu principal.You can perform a reset of the settings from the main menu.
- Nous avons besoin de faire une réinitialisation complète du système.We need to perform a full system reset.
- Pour résoudre ce problème, il est nécessaire de procéder à une remise à zéro de l'appareil.To solve this issue, it is necessary to perform a reset of the device.
- Tu devrais essayer une RAZ pour résoudre ce bug.You should try a reset to fix this bug.
- La tablette ne répond plus, je vais la rebooter.The tablet is not responding, I'm going to reboot it.
- On va remettre le système à l'état initial pour résoudre le problème.We will restore the system to the initial state to solve the problem.
- Je dois réinitialiser ma tablette.I need to reset my tablet.
Example conversation
Hugo is trying to fix a malfunctioning smart speaker for Léa.
- HugoLa machine ne fonctionne plus du tout.The machine is not working at all anymore.
- LéaTu peux essayer de réinitialiser l'appareil ?Can you try to reset the device?
- HugoOui, je vais réinitialiser le système maintenant.Yes, I am going to reset the system now.
- LéaJ'espère que ça va marcher, Hugo.I hope it works, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reset” translations and entries réinitialiser, remettre à zéro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries remettre, réinitialiser, zéro, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
