résistance
/ʁe.zis.tɑ̃s/feminine
The English word resistance is translated into French as résistance.
The term refers to the act of resisting. In a formal context, the term Opposition can also mean resistance. If you want to express the idea of resistance informally, you can use the phrase Ne pas se laisser faire, which means not letting oneself be pushed around.
Meaning: act of resisting (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so the definite article used with it is la résistance.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /ʁe.zis.tɑ̃s/.
Did you know?
- When capitalized as la Résistance, the term refers specifically to the clandestine social and military movement that fought the Nazi occupation of France during World War II.
- In French sports and fitness, résistance is frequently used to mean 'endurance' or 'stamina' during a long race.
- In French electrical engineering, résistance is the standard term for a resistor, the physical component used to limit current in a circuit.
Examples in context
- Résiste à la résistance !Resist resistance!This sentence shows how to use the word résistance in a command.Tatoeba #1387504 by sacredceltic, translation #1039823 by mangodurian
- Ils ont écrasé toute résistance.They crushed all resistance.This sentence shows the word résistance in the context of something being crushed.Tatoeba #4864901 by sacredceltic, translation #2259551 by _undertoad
- Je ne comprends pas ta résistance.I don't understand your resistance.This sentence uses résistance to talk about someone's personal resistance.Tatoeba #8008313 by Aiji, translation #7836916 by AlanF_US
- La résistance est cruciale pour surmonter les obstaclesResistance is crucial to overcome obstacles
- Il faut s'opposer à ces idées néfastesWe must resist these harmful ideas
- La défense pacifique est une forme de résistancePeaceful defense is a form of resistance
- Je résiste aux tentationsI resist temptations
- Face à l'injustice, il ne faut pas se laisser faireIn the face of injustice, one must not let themselves be pushed around
- Je ne cède pas à ces pressionsI don't give in to these pressures
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are discussing a difficult change at work.
- GabrielPourquoi y a-t-il autant de résistance au projet ?Why is there so much resistance to the project?
- ChloéLes collègues ont peur du changement, Gabriel.The colleagues are afraid of change, Gabriel.
- GabrielOn doit briser cette résistance rapidement.We must break this resistance quickly.
- ChloéJe suis d'accord, Chloé t'aidera demain.I agree, Chloé will help you tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “resistance” translations and entries résistance, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
