paraître/pa.ʁɛtʁ/
verb / noun · B1 · Frequency 828
verb
Meanings
to appear; to become visible; to seem
Used to describe something or someone becoming visible, appearing, or giving a certain impression.
to be published
Used for the publication or release of books, articles, etc.
to be said; to be rumored
Used to express hearsay or unconfirmed information.
Examples
La lune commence à paraître derrière les nuages.
The moon is beginning to appear behind the clouds.
Il est trop tôt pour paraître certain du résultat.
It is too early to seem certain about the result.
Le prochain numéro doit paraître vendredi.
The next issue is due to be published on Friday.
Collocations
- paraître évidentto seem obvious
- paraître dans un journalto be published in a newspaper
Common mistakes
Cela ne paraît me pas évident.
Cela ne me paraît pas évident.
With paraître meaning “to seem to someone,” the indirect object pronoun me goes before the verb, while pas follows the conjugated verb.
Related words
Grammar note
The verb paraître uses être as auxiliary in compound tenses and has irregular conjugation.
nounmasculine
Meanings
appearance
Usually refers to the outward look or manifestation of something.
publication, issuance (of a work)
Refers to the formal release or publication of books, articles, etc.
Examples
Dans ce métier, le paraître compte parfois autant que les compétences.
In this profession, appearances sometimes matter as much as skills.
Le paraître occupe une place importante dans la publicité.
Appearances play an important role in advertising.
Dans les réseaux sociaux, le paraître prend souvent le dessus sur la réalité.
On social media, appearances often take precedence over reality.
Collocations
- l’être et le paraîtrebeing and appearance
Common mistakes
le paraître
la paraître
Paraître as a noun is masculine, so feminine article is incorrect.
paraître un livre
la paraître d'un livre
Paraître as a noun usually refers to publication and requires an article and proper collocation.
Related words
synonymapparenceappearance
synonympublicationpublication
antonymdisparitiondisappearance
verb
Meanings
to appear; to become visible; to seem
Used to describe something or someone becoming visible, appearing, or giving a certain impression.
to be published
Used for the publication or release of books, articles, etc.
to be said; to be rumored
Used to express hearsay or unconfirmed information.
Examples
En paraissant sérieux, il a rassuré ses collègues.
By appearing serious, he reassured his colleagues.
Le soleil, paraissant entre les nuages, a illuminé la vallée.
The sun, appearing between the clouds, lit up the valley.
Le bulletin, paraissant chaque vendredi, résume les décisions de la mairie.
The bulletin, published every Friday, summarizes the town hall's decisions.
Grammar note
The verb paraître uses être as auxiliary in compound tenses and has irregular conjugation.
verb
Meanings
to appear; to become visible; to seem
Used to describe something or someone becoming visible, appearing, or giving a certain impression.
to be published
Used for the publication or release of books, articles, etc.
to be said; to be rumored
Used to express hearsay or unconfirmed information.
Examples
Le soleil a paru derrière les nuages après l'orage.
The sun appeared behind the clouds after the storm.
Le nouveau roman est paru au début du mois.
The new novel was published at the beginning of the month.
Il a paru dans le village que le maire démissionnerait.
It was rumored in the village that the mayor would resign.
Grammar note
The verb paraître uses être as auxiliary in compound tenses and has irregular conjugation.