L’être (en. The being)

/lɛtʁ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
noun
A human or animal existence.
Every living being deserves to be respected.
Chaque être vivant mérite d'être respecté.
The essential nature of someone or something.
The human being is complex and diverse.
L’être humain est complexe et diversifié.
An individual, a person.
This is a very interesting being to know.
C'est un être très intéressant à connaître.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'essere', meaning 'to be'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to be or not to be
Reflection on existence, famous phrase by Shakespeare.
l'être ou ne pas être
the beloved
Person whom one loves deeply.
l’être aimé
to be oneself
To act according to one's true nature.
être soi-même

Related Words

living being
Any organism that has life.
être vivant
absenteeism
State of being absent.
absentéisme
social being
Individual as a member of a society.
être social

Slang Meanings

To feel lost
For some time now, I have felt like a lost being.
Depuis quelques temps, je me sens comme un être perdu.
To be in a difficult situation
He is going through a time where he really feels like a being in distress.
Il traverse une période où il se sent vraiment un être en détresse.