réutiliser
/ʁe.y.ti.li.ze/
To reuse in French is réutiliser.
The verb réutiliser means to use something again. In a casual context, you can use the phrase donner une seconde vie à to convey the concept of reusing or giving a new purpose to something or the colloquial verb récupérer to mean reuse or repurpose.
Meaning: to use again (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb réutiliser is composed of the prefix ré- (again) and utiliser (to use).
Which one should you use?
While réutiliser means to use an object again, recycler specifically refers to the industrial process of breaking down materials to create new products. Related nouns include réemploi, which can mean the act of using something again or in another place or the act of salvaging or restoring a discarded item to yield something usable. Other nouns for the act of salvaging or restoring a discarded item include réusage and réutilisation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle réutilisé is used to form compound tenses like the passé composé.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁe.y.ti.li.ze/
Did you know?
- French has a specific term, chinage, for the act of searching through second-hand markets to find items to réutiliser.
- The noun récupération is used both for the act of salvaging materials and for the physical recovery of an athlete after a race.
- The French word utiliser shares a root with the English word 'utility', coming from the Latin utilis, meaning 'useful'.
Examples in context
- Les 3 R sont Réduire, Réutiliser et Recycler.The 3 Rs are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.This sentence is useful for listing the 3 Rs: Réduire, Réutiliser et Recycler.Tatoeba #7705174 by lbdx, translation #3177217 by Hybrid
- Ce n'est pas une bonne idée de réutiliser les mots de passe.It isn't a good idea to reuse passwords.Tatoeba #10071730 by lbdx, translation #10071071 by CK
- Chacun peut réutiliser les données ouvertes.Anyone can reuse open data.Tatoeba #13964302 by Naityahia, translation #13964305 by Naityahia
- Il est important de réutiliser ces matériaux pour minimiser les déchets.It is important to reuse these materials to minimize waste.
- Nous devrions encourager les gens à utiliser ces bouteilles en verre à nouveau.We should encourage people to reuse these glass bottles.
- On peut donner une seconde vie à ces vieilles chaises en les recyclant.We can give a new purpose to these old chairs by recycling them.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are cleaning their kitchen.
- HugoChloé, on peut réutiliser ces contenants ?Chloé, can we reuse these containers?
- ChloéOui, Hugo, ils sont encore très propres.Yes, Hugo, they are still very clean.
- HugoParfait, je vais les laver.Perfect, I will wash them.
- ChloéC'est une bonne idée pour l'environnement.It's a good idea for the environment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reuse” translations and entries réutiliser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries réutiliser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
