What does porter in French mean?

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

The word porter in French means carry, take to, support, carry, wear, have, bring to, bring to, adapt for, be about , be on, be, feel, be worn, incline toward, incline towards, put yourself forward as , put yourself forward to do, carry, have a range of + [distance], carry, hold, carry, port, be good for your age, be in good form for your age, have an appropriate name, have a suitable name, be in good health, be well padded, ready-to-wear fashion store, off-the-peg clothes store, ready-to-wear range, ready-to-wear collection, put the blame on, be misnamed, is not your favourite person, difficult name, deal with single-handedly, bring confusion, have consequences, bring to the boil, bring to a simmer, heat until it is white-hot, make aware of , bring to 's attention, adapt for the screen, make aware of , bring to 's attention, adapt for the stage, raise to your lips, bring to your lips, give assistance, give assistance to, harm, praise to the skies, heat until it is red-hot, praise to the skies, look good, bring luck, bring luck, bring luck to, bring luck, like, show an interest in, show an interest in, wear glasses, wear blinkers, have within you, have in you, hold high, fly the brand's flag, deal the decisive blow, deal the death blow, show an indication of origin, have an indication of origin, wear the trousers, lay hands on, jinx, be a man of the cloth, wear a cassock, take the blame, be in mourning, bear 's name, bear the name of, carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, take the veil, wear the hijab, wear a hijab, wear hijab, bring bad luck, overshadow, make a complaint about , make a complaint against, file a complaint against a person unknown, damage, harm, bear your cross, provide assistance to , go to 's assistance, bear fruit, found, establish, launch, deal a blow, deal a blow to, deal a fatal blow to, carry a baby, carry a child, pass judgement, make a judgement, make a value judgment, carry a message, bring a message, give a message, have a name, use a name, take a fresh look at , look at in a different way, wear trousers, wear perfume, take a critical look at, raise a toast to , propose a toast to, raise a toast to , propose a toast to, bring charges, bring a case to court, bring a work to the screen, ready-to-wear, call in sick, call in sick, call in sick, drift, let others carry you, be very well, be in the best of health, purchase , buy , acquire, do well, stand for election, act as guarantor, act as guarantor for, act as guarantor for, act as guarantor for , be 's guarantor, be in great shape, be in rude health, vouch for, bring a civil case, file a civil case, be at your best, volunteer for, weighty secret to bear. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word porter

carry

verbe transitif (soulever)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Tu veux que je porte ta valise ? Ma puce, je ne peux plus te porter maintenant, tu es trop grande !
Do you want me to carry your suitcase? I can't carry you anymore, sweetie, you're too big!

take to

verbe transitif (transporter, apporter) (to somewhere else)

Mon cœur, porte donc ce paquet à la voisine, veux-tu ? Je porte les bouteilles vides à la poubelle.
I carry the empty bottles to the bin.

support

verbe transitif (soutenir)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Ces murs portent la toiture.
These walls support the roof.

carry

verbe transitif (supporter sans céder)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Cette remorque porte 5 kilos.
This trailer carries five kilos.

wear

verbe transitif (avoir sur soi) (habitually)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Été comme hiver, mon père porte toujours des chemises à manches courtes. Ma collègue aime porter des bijoux clinquants.
Summer and winter alike, my father always wears short-sleeved shirts. My colleague loves wearing flashy jewellery.

have

verbe transitif (avoir : un nom, un titre)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Julie ne porte pas le même nom que sa sœur.
Julie doesn't have the same surname as her sister.

bring to

(amener avec la main)

Mon oncle aimait me donner des coups de coude quand je portais ma fourchette à la bouche, il trouvait ça hilarant.
My uncle loved nudging me as I brought my fork to my mouth; he thought that was hilarious.

bring to

(amener à un niveau, un degré)

Pour cuire les pâtes, porter l'eau à ébullition. La dernière secousse porte à 45 le nombre de victimes.
To cook the pasta, bring the water to the boil. The latest tremor brings the number of victims to 45.

adapt for

(amener)

Ce roman à succès a été porté à l'écran.
This successful book was adapted for the screen.

be about , be on

verbe transitif indirect (avoir pour objet)

Nos discussions portent toujours sur le même sujet.
Our discussions are always about the same subject.

be, feel

verbe pronominal (personne : aller, se sentir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Ma sœur se porte mieux depuis qu'elle a repris le sport.
My sister feels better since she took up sport again.

be worn

verbe pronominal (vêtements : être mis)

Cette chemise blanche est un basique : elle peut se porter avec tout.
It is a basic white shirt, it can be worn with anything.

incline toward, incline towards

(se diriger)

Les soupçons des enquêteurs se sont portés sur le concierge. Mon choix s'est porté sur cette petite robe rouge.
The investigators' suspicions were inclining towards the concierge. My decision is inclining toward the red dress.

put yourself forward as , put yourself forward to do

(se proposer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
L'homme d'affaires s'est porté acquéreur d'un joli tableau de maître.
The businessman put himself forward as a buyer for a pretty painting masterpiece.

carry

verbe intransitif (être perceptible)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le son du cor porte loin dans la forêt.
The sound of the horn carries far into the forest.

have a range of + [distance]

(distance : être efficace jusqu'à)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce réseau sans-fil porte jusqu'à 5 mètres.
This WIFI network has a range of five metres.

carry, hold

verbe transitif (avoir à gérer [qch]) (figurative)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
C'est l'agent comptable qui porte la responsabilité de la trésorerie.
The accountant holds the responsibility for the treasury.

carry

verbe transitif (avoir en gestation)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Les femmes portent leurs enfants neuf mois.
Women carry their children for nine months.

port

verbe transitif (Informatique : adapter)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Cette application a été portée pour ce nouveau système d'exploitation.
This application has been ported for the new operating system.

be good for your age, be in good form for your age

locution verbale (être en forme pour son âge) (fitness)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
C'est une grand-mère très dynamique qui porte bien son âge.

have an appropriate name, have a suitable name

locution verbale (avoir un nom adéquat)

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

be in good health

locution verbale (être en bonne santé)

be well padded

locution verbale (avoir de l'embonpoint) (figurative)

ready-to-wear fashion store, off-the-peg clothes store

nom féminin (magasin de vêtements)

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

ready-to-wear range, ready-to-wear collection

nom féminin (catalogue de vêtements)

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

put the blame on

locution verbale (désigner [qqn] responsable à sa place)

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

be misnamed

locution verbale (avoir un nom opposé à soi) (person)

M. Beaugrand porte mal son nom : il est petit et moche ! Le pont Neuf à Paris porte mal son nom : en effet, c'est le plus vieux pont de Paris !

is not your favourite person

locution verbale (ne pas aimer [qqn]) (UK)

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

difficult name

nom masculin (péjoratif (nom très négativement connoté)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
He's called Picasso, a name that takes some living up to.

deal with single-handedly

locution verbale (faire, aider avec difficulté)

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

bring confusion

locution verbale (engendrer la mécompréhension)

have consequences

locution verbale (engendre des conséquences fortes)

bring to the boil

locution verbale (chauffer jusqu'à ébulition)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il porta l'eau à ébullition pour se faire du thé.

bring to a simmer

locution verbale (chauffer jusqu'au début de l’ébullition)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il porta l'eau à frémissements pour son café instantané.

heat until it is white-hot

locution verbale (faire rougeoyer pour illuminer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le forgeron porta le fer à incandescence.

make aware of , bring to 's attention

locution verbale (faire remarquer [qch] à [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le directeur porta son projet à notre attention.

adapt for the screen

locution verbale (adapter pour le cinéma)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il portera ce livre à l'écran.

make aware of , bring to 's attention

(informer [qqn] de [qch])

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

adapt for the stage

locution verbale (adapter pour le théâtre)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il portera ce livre à la scène.

raise to your lips, bring to your lips

locution verbale (approcher de ses lèvres)

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

give assistance, give assistance to

locution verbale (aider, secourir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il s’arrêta sur le bas-coté et porta assistance au cycliste renversé.

harm

(nuire à)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Ce projet de construction porte atteinte à la forêt du village.

praise to the skies

locution verbale (encenser)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Jacqueline porte son petit-fils au pinacle.

heat until it is red-hot

locution verbale (chauffer jusqu'à rougir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le forgeron porta le fer au rouge.

praise to the skies

locution verbale (encenser) (figurative)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Cette réussite porta Matthieu aux nues.

look good

locution verbale (avoir belle allure)

bring luck

locution verbale (favoriser la réussite)

bring luck, bring luck to

locution verbale (porter chance à [qqn])

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

bring luck

locution verbale (favoriser la réussite)

like

verbe transitif (aimer)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Je ne porte pas mon patron dans mon cœur.

show an interest in

locution verbale (s'intéresser à [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Elle porte de l’intérêt à son collègue.

show an interest in

locution verbale (s'intéresser à [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Nous portons de l’intérêt à votre candidature.

wear glasses

locution verbale (avoir des lunettes de vue)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

wear blinkers

locution verbale (figuré (avoir l'esprit fermé) (UK, figurative)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Impossible de discuter avec lui, il ne veut rien entendre : il porte des œillères.

have within you, have in you

locution verbale (détenir, posséder)

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

hold high

locution verbale (représenter dignement [qch])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

fly the brand's flag

locution verbale (faire de la réclame pour une marque)

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

deal the decisive blow, deal the death blow

locution verbale (achever, réduire à néant) (figurative)

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

show an indication of origin, have an indication of origin

locution verbale (arborer un label) (product)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce vin porte l'indication d'origine Sauternes.

wear the trousers

locution verbale (figuré (diriger un couple) (figurative)

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

lay hands on

(frapper)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Si tu oses porter la main sur elle, tu auras affaire à moi !

jinx

verbe transitif (favoriser les échecs)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

be a man of the cloth

locution verbale (figuré (être religieux)

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

wear a cassock

locution verbale (être habillé avec une soutane)

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

take the blame

locution verbale (être vu comme le responsable de [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Roger porte le chapeau mais il n'y est pour rien.

be in mourning

locution verbale (être en période de deuil)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La voisine portait le deuil depuis 3 mois.

bear 's name, bear the name of

(avoir hérité son patronyme de [qqn])

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

carry the weight of the world on your shoulders

locution verbale (assumer plus qu'on ne peut) (figurative)

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

take the veil

locution verbale (femme : être religieuse) (be a nun)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Après une éducation chez les sœurs, elle porta le voile et mena une vie monastique.

wear the hijab, wear a hijab, wear hijab

locution verbale (porter le hijab) (Muslim woman)

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

bring bad luck

locution verbale (favoriser les déconvenues)

overshadow

(nuire au prestige de [qqn])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Son ascension porte ombrage à ses collègues.

make a complaint about , make a complaint against

(déposer une réclamation en justice)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Estimez-vous heureux que je ne porte pas plainte contre vous !

file a complaint against a person unknown

locution verbale (se plaindre sans connaître l'auteur)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il n'avait pas vu son agresseur et porta plainte contre X.
He didn't see his attacker, but he reported the assault to the police.

damage

locution verbale (nuire à [qch])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Cette action porte préjudice à notre image de marque.

harm

locution verbale (nuire à [qqn])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Cet échec porte préjudice au ministre.

bear your cross

locution verbale (figuré (gérer son fardeau) (figurative)

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

provide assistance to , go to 's assistance

locution verbale (aider)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il porta secours à cet homme affalé.

bear fruit

locution verbale (être bénéfique) (figurative)

Je suis contente de voir que mon petit discours a porté ses fruits.
I'm pleased to see that my little speech has borne fruit.

found, establish, launch

locution verbale (figuré (fonder, lancer)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
L'équipe portera le projet sur les fonts baptismaux.

deal a blow, deal a blow to

(affaiblir [qch], nuire à [qch])

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

deal a fatal blow to

(mettre fin à [qch]) (figurative)

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

carry a baby, carry a child

locution verbale (être enceinte)

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

pass judgement, make a judgement

locution verbale (juger, penser)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

make a value judgment

locution verbale (juger [qch])

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

carry a message, bring a message, give a message

locution verbale (être le vecteur d'un message)

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

have a name, use a name

locution verbale (avoir un patronyme)

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

take a fresh look at , look at in a different way

locution verbale (apprécier [qch] différemment)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Avec l'âge, je porte un regard nouveau sur l'art moderne.
Now that I'm older, I look at modern art in a different way.

wear trousers

locution verbale (être habillé avec un pantalon) (UK)

wear perfume

locution verbale (utiliser un parfum)

take a critical look at

locution verbale (faire preuve d'esprit critique)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le directeur porta un regard critique sur ce projet.

raise a toast to , propose a toast to

locution verbale (boire en l'honneur de [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il porta un toast à ce mariage.

raise a toast to , propose a toast to

locution verbale (boire en l'honneur de [qqn])

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

bring charges, bring a case to court

locution verbale (s'en remettre à la justice)

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

bring a work to the screen

locution verbale (adapter un livre au cinéma)

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

ready-to-wear

nom masculin (vêtement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Sans être de la haute couture, le prêt-à-porter produit en série des vêtements de qualité.
Ready-to-wear isn't high fashion, but mass-produces quality clothing.

call in sick

locution verbale (feindre une maladie pour ne pas travailler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. I'm taking a sickie because I really don't feel like going to work today.

call in sick

(se faire déclarer malade)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Alain s'est fait porter pâle car il avait attrapé une gastro.

call in sick

(feindre une maladie pour ne pas travailler)

Ce bidasse s'est fait porter pâle pour échapper au défilé.

drift

(subir les événements) (figurative)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

let others carry you

(péjoratif (vivre aux crochets des autres) (figurative)

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

be very well, be in the best of health

(être en excellente forme)

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

purchase , buy , acquire

locution verbale (vouloir acheter [qch])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Cette famille se porte acquéreur de ma maison.

do well

locution verbale (être en bonne forme)

Ma mère se porte bien depuis sa cure.

stand for election

(se proposer pour une tâche) (UK)

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

act as guarantor

locution verbale (soutenir) (UK)

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

act as guarantor for

locution verbale (soutenir [qqn] financièrement) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ils se portent caution pour leurs enfants.

act as guarantor for

locution verbale (soutenir [qch] financièrement) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les parents se portent caution du loyer.

act as guarantor for , be 's guarantor

locution verbale (être garant des paiements de [qqn]) (UK)

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

be in great shape, be in rude health

(être en excellente forme)

vouch for

(être sûr de l'honnêteté de [qqn])

Véronique s'est portée garante de sa fille pour ce prêt.

bring a civil case, file a civil case

(demander réparation en justice)

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

be at your best

locution verbale (aller parfaitement)

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

volunteer for

(accepter de faire une tâche)

Ce soldat s'est porté volontaire pour cette délicate mission.

weighty secret to bear

nom masculin (secret dur à conserver)

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

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