poli/pɔ.li/
adjective / noun · A2 · Frequency 5864
adjectivemasculine
Meanings
polite
Commonly used to describe a person's behavior or speech, indicating politeness and propriety.
polished
Used to describe a surface that is smooth and has been polished.
refined, meticulous
Used to describe workmanship, skill, or attitude that is refined and meticulous.
Examples
Le nouvel élève est poli avec tous ses camarades.
The new student is polite to all his classmates.
Même après le désaccord, il est resté poli avec son collègue.
Even after the disagreement, he remained polite to his colleague.
Le bois poli reflète doucement la lumière de la lampe.
The polished wood softly reflects the light from the lamp.
Collocations
- un interlocuteur polia polite interlocutor
- un métal polipolished metal
Common mistakes
un poli
un homme poli
The adjective 'poli' cannot be used alone as a noun; it must modify a noun.
une surface poli
une surface polie
The adjective 'poli' must agree in gender with the feminine noun 'surface', thus 'polie'.
Related words
synonymcourtoiscourtly
- antonymimpolirude; impolite (bad-mannered)
nounmasculine
Meanings
polished surface, lustre
Refers to the smooth and shiny surface of an object after polishing.
the act or process of polishing
Refers to the action or process of polishing, commonly used in describing a craft or operation.
Examples
Cette pierre a un poli remarquable après le traitement.
This stone has a remarkable polished surface after treatment.
Le travail du bois donne à la table un poli uniforme.
Working the wood gives the table an even polished surface.
Le restaurateur a vérifié le poli du marbre sous la lumière.
The restorer checked the polished surface of the marble under the light.
Collocations
- un poli miroira mirror finish
- donner du poli au boisto polish the wood
Common mistakes
un poli
un poli (nom commun)
When ‘poli’ is used as a noun, it should not be confused with the adjective ‘poli’; the noun usage must be clearly identified.
Related words
synonymbrillantshiny
synonymlustrelustre
adjectivefeminine
Meanings
polite
Commonly used to describe a person's behavior or speech, indicating politeness and propriety.
polished
Used to describe a surface that is smooth and has been polished.
refined, meticulous
Used to describe workmanship, skill, or attitude that is refined and meticulous.
Examples
La nouvelle collègue est polie avec tout le monde.
The new colleague is polite to everyone.
La serveuse est restée polie malgré la longue attente.
The waitress remained polite despite the long wait.
La surface polie reflète la lumière du soleil.
The polished surface reflects the sunlight.
La pierre polie est agréable au toucher.
The polished stone feels pleasant to the touch.
adjectivemasculine
Meanings
polite
Commonly used to describe a person's behavior or speech, indicating politeness and propriety.
polished
Used to describe a surface that is smooth and has been polished.
refined, meticulous
Used to describe workmanship, skill, or attitude that is refined and meticulous.
Examples
Les élèves sont polis avec leurs professeurs.
The students are polite to their teachers.
Mes voisins restent polis même lorsqu'ils ne sont pas d'accord.
My neighbors remain polite even when they disagree.
Les galets polis brillent sous la lumière du soleil.
The polished pebbles shine in the sunlight.