portant
The English phrase 'wearing' is translated into French as portant.
In French, the verb for 'wearing' (porter) is the same verb used for 'carrying' an object. While porter is a versatile way to convey 'to wear' and is commonly used for clothing, other verbs exist depending on the context: mettre means 'to put on' and can be used to indicate the act of getting dressed, arborer means 'to display' or 'to sport' and avoir sur soi literally means 'to have on oneself' and is used for accessories or items worn.
What does it mean word for word?
The word portant is derived from the verb porter, which literally means 'to carry'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the word for 'sweater' is often chandail, whereas in France it is pull or un pull-over.
How does it change in a sentence?
portant is the present participle of the verb porter.
Did you know?
- When discussing 'wearing' something out through use, French avoids porter and uses user, which is the root of the English word 'usury'.
- The verb porter is used to describe 'wearing' a name, such as porter le nom de son père, meaning 'to carry' the family name.
- To describe someone 'wearing' a certain expression on their face, French uses porter in phrases like porter un regard sévère.
Examples in context
- Un chat portant des gants n'attrapera aucune souris.A cat wearing gloves won't catch any mice.This sentence shows how to use portant to describe a cat wearing gloves.Tatoeba #5798182 by Toynop, translation #5797037 by Herobane
- Deux hommes portant des masques ont braqué la banque.Two men wearing masks robbed the bank.This sentence uses portant to describe men wearing masks.Tatoeba #5829867 by Aiji, translation #681958 by Source_VOA
- Tout homme portant un postiche craint les jours de vent.Any man wearing a toupee fears a windy day.This sentence uses portant to describe a man wearing a toupee.Tatoeba #814089 by sacredceltic, translation #638200 by darinmex
- Je porte une robe rouge.I am wearing a red dress.
- Je mets une vesteI put on/wear a jacket
- Il porte des habits pour la cérémonieHe is wearing formal attire for the ceremony
- Elle arborait une robe de soirée somptueuseShe was wearing/sporting a sumptuous evening gown
- J'ai mes lunettes de soleil sur moiI am wearing/carrying my sunglasses
- Il est fringué en mode décontractéHe is dressed in a casual way
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are meeting at a cafe.
- GabrielJe vois une femme portant une robe rouge.I see a woman wearing a red dress.
- EmmaEst-ce que c'est Emma ?Is that Emma?
- GabrielNon, Emma porte un chapeau bleu.No, Emma is wearing a blue hat.
- EmmaAh, je la vois maintenant !Ah, I see her now!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
