What does esprit in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word esprit in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use esprit in French.

The word esprit in French means mind, mind, sense, wit, spirit, ghost, spirit, spirit, sense, mind, head, diplomacy, spirit, close-minded, closed-minded, mental agility, quick mindedness, have in mind, be open-minded, be approachable, be good natured, be witty, be in the mood to do , feel like doing, be critical, have an analytical mind, be competitive, be contrary, be family-minded, be family-oriented, always think of a witty comeback when it's too late, have a dirty mind, be open-minded, have a twisted mind, have a warped mind, have an easy mind, be quick-witted, have the presence of mind to do, be a negative person, see the bad in everything, good spirit, friendly spirit, it clicked, it suddenly clicked, get out of your mind, get out of your head, get an idea out of your head, mind-body, witty, witty, to 's mind, in 's mind, in the true spirit of, in a spirit of, free thinker, critical mind, analytical mind, analytical mind, corporate culture, enterprising spirit, team spirit, spirit of initiative, spirit of openness, open-mindedness, elitist, parochial attitude, competitive spirit, argumentativeness, esprit de corps, esprit de corps, sense of family, team spirit, slow off the mark, hydrochloric acid, deductive skills, close-mindedness, poltergeist, free spirit, twisted individual, depraved individual, sick individual, open mind, practical mind, dissenting attitude, dissenting outlook, sound mind, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, sportsmanship, spirit of sport, tortured mind, state of mind, narrow-minded, narrow-mindedness, feeble-minded, feeble-minded person, try to be witty, make snide remarks, make nasty remarks, empty your mind, empty your mind, search your mind, keep in mind, bear in mind, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, intelligent man, the spirit and the letter of the law, the idea crossed my mind, broad-minded, dull-witted, open-mindedness, malicious remark, spiteful remark, witticism, witty remark, keep 's mind off things, keep your mind off things, keep your mind off it, open-minded, broad-minded, open-mindedness, open 's mind, broaden 's mind, stretch 's mind, just to be argumentative, by some miracle, lose your mind, presence of mind, pure construct of the mind, who has a competitive spirit, of sound mind, healthy in body and mind, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, naïve, simple, simple-minded, simple, simple-minded person, slip 's mind, go out of 's head, turn of mind. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word esprit

mind

nom masculin (partie spirituelle d'un être)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les Grecs disaient déjà qu'il fallait un esprit sain dans un corps sain.

The Greeks were saying long ago that what was needed was a healthy mind in a healthy body.

mind

nom masculin (intelligence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Cet homme a l'esprit vif et aiguisé.

That man has a quick and penetrating mind.

sense

nom masculin (disposition naturelle)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Pierre n'a pas l'esprit d'initiative.

Peter has no sense of initiative

wit

nom masculin (humour)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

J'aime cet humoriste parce qu'il a beaucoup d'esprit.

I like this comedian because he has a great wit.

spirit, ghost

nom masculin (fantôme)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Il paraît que les châteaux écossais sont hantés par les esprits.

Apparently, Scottish castles are haunted by ghosts.

spirit

nom masculin (occultisme : âme d'un mort)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Il paraît que les médiums peuvent entrer en contact avec les esprits.

Apparently, mediums can contact spirits.

spirit, sense

nom masculin (pensée, sens)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Il faut s'attacher plus à l'esprit qu'à la lettre des règlements.

You should stick closely to the spirit rather than the letter of the rules.

mind, head

nom masculin (figuré (personnes) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Notre société a besoin de nouveaux esprits pour s'adapter au marché.

Our company needs some new heads to adapt to today's market.

diplomacy

nom masculin (soutenu (finesse)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Luc résout toujours les problèmes avec esprit.

Luke always resolves problems with diplomacy.

spirit

nom masculin (vieilli (résultat de distillation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'esprit représente un tiers du volume distillé.

The spirit is a third of the volume distilled.

close-minded, closed-minded

locution adjectivale (figuré (peu ouvert aux autres) (figurative)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

mental agility, quick mindedness

nom féminin (aisance de compréhension)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Malgré son âge, papi fait encore preuve d'une grande agilité d'esprit.

have in mind

locution verbale (penser à [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be open-minded, be approachable, be good natured

locution verbale (accepter de composer)

Mon collègue a bon esprit : on peut toujours proposer et discuter de nouvelles idées.

be witty

locution verbale (avoir une agilité intellectuelle)

be in the mood to do , feel like doing

locution verbale (penser uniquement à [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Sachant qu'il rentre, je n'ai pas l'esprit à travailler.

be critical

locution verbale (savoir peser le pour et le contre)

Ce professeur veut que ses étudiants aient l'esprit critique.

have an analytical mind

locution verbale (savoir décortiquer les problèmes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pour traiter toutes ces données, il faut avoir l'esprit d'analyse.

be competitive

locution verbale (aimer se mesurer aux autres)

Si vous voulez gagner ce match, il faut que vous ayez l'esprit de compétition.

be contrary

locution verbale (faire, dire l'inverse par principe)

be family-minded, be family-oriented

locution verbale (être solidaire de sa famille)

Notre frère cadet n'a jamais eu l'esprit de famille.

always think of a witty comeback when it's too late

locution verbale (penser plus juste après s'être exprimé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Jean-Jacques Rousseau lui-même reconnaissait avoir l'esprit de l'escalier.

have a dirty mind

locution verbale (penser à des acceptions graveleuses)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be open-minded

locution verbale (être tolérant)

Il faut avoir l'esprit ouvert pour travailler dans le milieu artistique.

have a twisted mind, have a warped mind

locution verbale (penser de façon vicieuse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Il faut avoir l'esprit tordu pour penser à un truc pareil !

have an easy mind

locution verbale (être serein)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be quick-witted

locution verbale (comprendre rapidement)

have the presence of mind to do

locution verbale (avoir la lucidité de faire [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Dès qu'elle vit les premières flammes, l'institutrice eut la présence d'esprit de faire sortir les élèves.

be a negative person

locution verbale (péjoratif (être négatif) (pejorative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Jules interprète tout d'une manière négative, il a mauvais esprit.

see the bad in everything

locution verbale (péjoratif (voir le mal) (pejorative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Dans un village il y a toujours quelques personnes ayant mauvais esprit.

good spirit, friendly spirit

nom masculin (attitude positive)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

it clicked, it suddenly clicked

(familier (j'ai enfin compris) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ma fille et mon gendre faisaient des allusions aux nouveau-nés et tout à coup, ça a fait tilt dans ma tête, ma fille était enceinte.

get out of your mind, get out of your head

locution verbale (ne plus penser à [qch]) (idea, image)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

get an idea out of your head

locution verbale (s'efforcer de ne plus penser à [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

mind-body

nom masculin (relations entre corps et esprit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

witty

locution adjectivale (fin, subtil)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

witty

locution adjectivale (spirituel)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

to 's mind, in 's mind

(selon les convictions de [qqn])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

in the true spirit of

(selon la tradition de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ce tableau a été peint dans le plus pur esprit des impressionnistes.

in a spirit of

locution adverbiale (avec une volonté de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ils travaillaient dans un esprit de compétition.

free thinker

nom masculin (libre penseur)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les esprit affranchis étaient rares au Moyen Âge.

critical mind, analytical mind

nom masculin (capacité d'analyse, de critique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Cette journaliste a perdu son esprit critique.

This journalist has lost her critical ability.

analytical mind

nom masculin (capacité à analyser)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

corporate culture

nom masculin (pensée collective)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

enterprising spirit

nom masculin (volonté d'entreprendre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

team spirit

nom masculin (pensée collective)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le manager cherche à former à un esprit d'équipe.

The manager is looking to build team spirit.

spirit of initiative

nom masculin (capacité à décider seul)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

spirit of openness, open-mindedness

nom masculin (tolérance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

elitist

nom masculin (péjoratif (mentalité de groupe d'appartenance) (pejorative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

On reproche beaucoup à ce groupe son esprit de caste.

That group is much criticised for its elitist mindset.

parochial attitude

nom masculin (pensée partisane)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

competitive spirit

nom masculin (fait d'aimer se mesurer aux autres)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

argumentativeness

nom masculin (pensée opposée par principe)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Mon esprit de contradiction m'a finalement éloigné de mes amis qui ne me supportaient plus.

esprit de corps

nom masculin (solidarité de métier) (Gallicism)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'esprit de corporation est fort chez les médecins.

esprit de corps

nom masculin (solidarité avec ses confrères) (Gallicism)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

sense of family

nom masculin (solidarité familiale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'esprit de famille est plus fort à la campagne qu'à la ville.

team spirit

nom masculin (pensée tenant compte du groupe)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

slow off the mark

nom masculin (pensée que l'on a après discussion)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Il est tout à fait capable, il a simplement l'esprit de l'escalier.

hydrochloric acid

nom masculin (figuré (acide chlorhydrique) (chemical)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'esprit de sel est très soluble dans l'eau.

deductive skills

nom masculin (capacité à résumer divers éléments)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

Les matheux ont souvent l'esprit de synthèse.

Mathematicians often have deductive skills.

close-mindedness

nom masculin (fait d'être obtus)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

poltergeist

nom masculin (fantôme)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Jules est cartésien, il ne croit pas aux esprits frappeurs.

free spirit

nom masculin (liberté d'esprit, de réflexion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

twisted individual, depraved individual, sick individual

nom masculin ([qqn] aux idées malfaisantes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. That guy has a twisted mind.

open mind

nom masculin (personne tolérante)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

practical mind

nom masculin (pensée fonctionnelle, appliquée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

dissenting attitude, dissenting outlook

nom masculin (pensée basée sur la réclamation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Il faut avoir l'esprit revendicatif pour être syndicaliste.

sound mind

nom masculin ([qqn] en pleine possession de ses moyens)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost

nom propre masculin (Esprit de Dieu) (Christianity)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'Esprit Saint vient compléter la trinité du Père et du Fils.

sportsmanship, spirit of sport

nom masculin (fairplay)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

tortured mind

nom masculin (pensée compliquée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

state of mind

nom masculin (disposition)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Alors, Roger, dans quel état d'esprit abordez-vous ce match ? Ce joueur a un mauvais état d'esprit.

So, Roger, in what state of mind are you approaching this match? This player is in a bad state of mind.

narrow-minded

locution adjectivale (peu tolérant, peu informé, rigide)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Le nouveau chef est plutôt étroit d'esprit.

narrow-mindedness

nom féminin (rigidité, manque de tolérance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Son étroitesse d'esprit l'empêche de comprendre les mœurs des étrangers.

feeble-minded

locution adjectivale (peu intelligent) (pejorative)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

feeble-minded person

nom masculin et féminin (personne peu intelligente) (pejorative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

try to be witty

locution verbale (être spirituel)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

make snide remarks, make nasty remarks

locution verbale (être cynique, ironiser)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

empty your mind

locution verbale (essayer de ne penser à rien)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pour méditer, le sage fait le vide dans sa tête.

empty your mind

locution verbale (essayer de ne penser à rien)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pour méditer, le sage fait le vide dans son esprit.

search your mind

locution verbale (chercher avec minutie dans sa mémoire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

keep in mind, bear in mind

locution verbale (ne pas oublier)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

(appel religieux à l'humilité) (Biblical)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

« Heureux les simples d'esprit car le royaume de cieux leur appartient. » est tiré du sermon de Jésus sur la montagne.

intelligent man

nom masculin (intellectuel)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

the spirit and the letter of the law

(la logique et le sens strict)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les juges s'efforcent de respecter l'esprit et la lettre de la loi.

the idea crossed my mind

(j'y ai pensé)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

broad-minded

locution adjectivale (tolérant)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

dull-witted

locution adjectivale (stupide, idiot)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

open-mindedness

nom féminin (esprit libre de préjugés)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

malicious remark, spiteful remark

nom masculin (péjoratif (remarque volontairement négative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

witticism, witty remark

nom masculin (pensée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

keep 's mind off things

(faire [qch], penser à autre chose)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

keep your mind off things, keep your mind off it

(faire [qch], penser à autre chose)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pour éviter de penser à mon mari qui est parti loin en voyage d'affaires, je fais beaucoup de ménage pour m'occuper l'esprit.

open-minded, broad-minded

locution adjectivale (tolérant)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Ma famille est ouverte d'esprit, tu seras acceptée.

open-mindedness

nom féminin (tolérance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'ouverture d'esprit doit marquer notre groupe.

open 's mind

locution verbale (rendre [qqn] plus tolérant)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Le fait d'avoir vécu un an à l'étranger lui a ouvert l'esprit.

broaden 's mind, stretch 's mind

locution verbale (éveiller, instruire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cet article détaillé lui ouvrit l'esprit sur la situation économique.

just to be argumentative

locution adverbiale (dans le but contredire)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Les enfants répondent souvent par esprit de contradiction.

by some miracle

locution adverbiale (familier, ironique (miraculeusement) (ironic)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

lose your mind

locution verbale (ne plus se souvenir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

presence of mind

nom féminin (lucidité)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Grâce à sa présence d'esprit, les secours furent très vite alertés.

pure construct of the mind

nom féminin (illusion, théorie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les descriptions de physique sont souvent de pures vues de l'esprit.

who has a competitive spirit

locution adjectivale (compétiteur)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

of sound mind

locution adjectivale (qui a l'esprit clair, non influencé)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

healthy in body and mind

locution adjectivale (qui a toute sa tête)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit

nom propre masculin (esprit saint catholique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Les catholiques croient au Père au Fils et au Saint-Esprit.

naïve, simple

adjectif (naïf)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Ce garçon est gentil mais un peu simple.

This boy is nice but a bit simple.

simple-minded, simple

adjectif (benêt, débile) (pejorative)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

simple-minded person

nom masculin et féminin (benêt, débile)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

slip 's mind, go out of 's head

(oublier)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

J'ai raté la réunion : elle m'était complètement sortie de l'esprit.

I missed the meeting; it had gone completely out of my head.

turn of mind

nom masculin (façon de comprendre les choses)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of esprit in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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