dessiner
/de.si.ne/
To draw in French is dessiner.
The verb dessiner is used to describe the act of producing a picture or diagram by making lines on a surface.
Which one should you use?
While dessiner is the general term for drawing, other words specify the style or intent. Esquisser means to sketch or make a rough outline, and tracer can be used to mean drawing when the context implies precision. For more casual or playful actions, crayonner suggests doodling or casually sketching, while gribouiller conveys a sense of freely scribbling or doodling.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of dessiner is dessiné, and the noun form for a drawing is dessin.
How do you pronounce it?
/de.si.ne/
Did you know?
- If you are 'drawing' a conclusion or a logical consequence, a French speaker would likely use the verb déduire rather than any form of dessiner.
- When a French speaker says someone has a dessin in mind, they are often referring to a plan or a scheme rather than a literal picture.
- The term dessin animé for 'cartoon' literally translates to 'animated drawing'.
Examples in context
- Je veux apprendre à dessiner.I want to learn how to draw.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn the skill of dessiner.Tatoeba #11776923 by lbdx, translation #8056920 by CK
- Je ne sais pas dessiner un oiseau.I don't know how to draw a bird.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to use dessiner to depict a specific subject.Tatoeba #5920458 by Aiji, translation #5085193 by AlanF_US
- Il m'a fallu quelques heures pour le dessiner.It took me several hours to draw it.This sentence is useful for describing the time taken to complete a dessiner task.Tatoeba #3448067 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #1742004 by Amastan
- Je dessine un paysage magnifique.I am drawing a beautiful landscape.
- J'ai esquissé le portrait de mon ami.I sketched my friend's portrait.
- Le designer trace les contours de son projet.The designer draws the outlines of his project.
- Je crayonne souvent pendant les réunions.I often doodle during meetings.
- Les enfants gribouillent sur le papier.The children scribble on the paper.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are talking about their hobbies.
- HugoQu'est-ce que tu aimes faire ?What do you like to do?
- EmmaJ'adore dessiner des paysages.I love to draw landscapes.
- HugoC'est super, tu peux m'apprendre ?That's great, can you teach me?
- EmmaOui, on peut dessiner ensemble demain.Yes, we can draw together tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dessiner, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
