sensibiliser
The English phrase "spread awareness" can be translated into French as sensibiliser.
The verb sensibiliser is used to express the act of making people more conscious of or concerned about a particular social or political issue. When you wish to refer to the act of spreading awareness itself or to an awareness-raising campaign, use the noun form la sensibilisation.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb sensibiliser is derived from the adjective sensible (sensitive), and its literal meaning is to make someone sensitive to a particular issue.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb sensibiliser is typically used with the preposition à to indicate the subject or issue being brought to someone's attention, following the pattern sensibiliser quelqu'un à quelque chose (to make someone aware of something).
Did you know?
- The verb sensibiliser shares its root with the English word 'sensible', but they have drifted apart in meaning. In French, 'sensible' means 'sensitive' or 'perceptive', whereas in English, 'sensible' implies being practical or reasonable.
- In a medical or biological context, sensibiliser describes the process of making a cell or organism reactive to a specific antigen.
- While sensibiliser refers to the external effort to educate people, French uses prise de conscience to describe the internal, personal click of suddenly becoming aware.
Examples in context
- Il faut sensibiliser le public aux enjeux climatiques.We must raise public awareness about climate issues.
- Il faut sensibiliser les gens à l'écologie.We need to raise awareness about ecology.
- Cette campagne vise à sensibiliser le public.This campaign aims to raise public awareness.
- Elle veut sensibiliser les jeunes au vote.She wants to raise awareness among young people about voting.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing a new school project.
- GabrielJe veux créer une affiche pour sensibiliser les élèves.I want to create a poster to spread awareness among the students.
- ManonC'est une excellente idée, Gabriel.That is an excellent idea, Gabriel.
- GabrielOn pourrait parler de la protection des océans.We could talk about protecting the oceans.
- ManonOui, Manon t'aidera à choisir les images.Yes, Manon will help you choose the images.
