Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun 10 Min. Lesezeit

une importation

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps une importation in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung une importation in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'une importation' as a word related to shopping and countries. It simply means bringing something from another country into yours. You might see it on fruit labels in the supermarket, like 'Importation d'Espagne'. Think of it as 'buying from another country'. It is a feminine word, so we say 'une' or 'la'. It is a long word, but it looks very similar to the English word 'importation', which makes it easy to remember. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet, just understand that it means 'coming from abroad'.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the A2 level, you can start using 'une importation' to talk about where things come from. You should know it is a noun and that the verb is 'importer'. You can use it in basic sentences like 'J'aime l'importation de chocolat suisse' (I like the import of Swiss chocolate). At this level, it's important to remember the gender (feminine) and the plural (importations). You might also encounter it when talking about simple jobs or the economy. It is the opposite of 'exportation'. You will hear it in news reports about prices going up or down.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'importation' in professional and social contexts. You can discuss the pros and cons of imports, such as 'L'importation de produits locaux est meilleure pour l'environnement' (Importing local products—wait, that's a mistake—you'd say 'réduire l'importation'). You understand terms like 'droits de douane' (customs duties) and 'licence d'importation'. You can use it to describe business activities: 'Mon oncle travaille dans l'importation de voitures'. You also start to see it in digital contexts, like 'l'importation de contacts' on a phone.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B2 level, you use 'importation' to discuss complex economic and political issues. You can talk about 'la balance commerciale' (trade balance) and how 'les importations massives' affect local industry. You understand the nuance between 'importation' (the act) and 'un import' (the technical term). You can write essays about globalization using this word. You also recognize its metaphorical use in culture, such as 'l'importation de concepts philosophiques'. You are aware of the formal register and can use it in business letters or academic reports without error.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's connotations. You can analyze the impact of 'importations de substitution' or 'quotas d'importation' on national sovereignty. Your vocabulary includes related terms like 'importateur', 'importable', and 'réimportation'. You can use the word in stylistic ways, perhaps in a critique of consumerism or an analysis of historical trade routes. You are sensitive to the difference between 'importation' and 'introduction' in scientific or historical texts. You can follow fast-paced economic debates on French radio where this word is used frequently.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, you command 'importation' with total precision across all domains—law, economics, technology, and literature. You can navigate the subtle differences in EU regulations regarding 'importation' versus 'échanges'. You might use the word in a legal brief or a high-level economic thesis. You understand the etymological roots and how they influence modern usage. You can use it with a wide range of sophisticated collocations and idiomatic expressions. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, whether in a formal speech or a technical manual.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

une importation in 30 Sekunden

Une importation is a feminine noun meaning the act of bringing goods from abroad into a country.
It is the direct antonym of 'exportation' and is fundamental to international trade and economics.
In everyday French, it appears on product labels and in news reports about the economy or customs.
Grammatically, it requires feminine agreement and often uses the preposition 'de' to specify the goods.

The French noun une importation refers to the process of bringing goods, services, or resources into a country from an external source, typically for commercial purposes. Derived from the Latin importatio, the word implies a movement across borders, a 'carrying in' (im-portare). In a globalized economy, this term is ubiquitous, appearing in everything from high-level economic reports to the labels on the back of your favorite chocolate bar. It is a feminine noun, so we always use the feminine article: l'importation or une importation.

Economic Context: In economics, l'importation is the counterpart to l'exportation. Together, they form the trade balance (la balance commerciale) of a nation. When a country buys more than it sells, it has an 'excès d'importations'.
Daily Life: On a daily basis, you might see this word on packaging. 'Produit d'importation' indicates that the item was not manufactured locally, which can sometimes imply exoticism or high quality, but can also relate to concerns about carbon footprints.
Legal and Customs: Legally, l'importation involves customs (la douane). Goods must be declared, and taxes (droits de douane) are often applied. This administrative side is a major part of the word's usage in business French.

Le gouvernement a décidé de limiter une importation massive de textile pour protéger les usines locales.

The word carries a weight of logistical complexity. It isn't just about buying; it is about the entire logistics chain—shipping, air freight, warehousing, and regulatory compliance. When a French speaker says 'C'est une importation', they are often highlighting the origin and the journey of the object. In the context of the European Union, the concept of 'importation' has shifted slightly; movement between EU member states is often referred to as 'échanges intracommunautaires', while 'importation' is strictly reserved for goods coming from outside the EU (tiers pays).

Cette voiture est une importation directe des États-Unis.

Furthermore, the word is often used in the plural. 'Les importations' refers to the total volume of goods brought in. For example, 'Les importations de gaz ont augmenté cet hiver' (Gas imports increased this winter). This plural usage is very common in news headlines and financial reports. In professional settings, you will hear terms like 'licence d'importation' (import license) or 'quota d'importation' (import quota), showing how the word is integrated into the structural legal framework of international trade.

L'entreprise se spécialise dans l'importation de fruits exotiques.

Il y a des règles strictes pour l'importation d'animaux domestiques.

La France dépend de l'importation pour certaines matières premières.

Using importation correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a feminine noun. It frequently appears after prepositions like 'de', 'pour', or 'par'. Because it begins with a vowel sound, the singular definite article 'la' elides to l'importation. In sentences, it often acts as the direct object of verbs like 'favoriser' (to encourage), 'interdire' (to forbid), or 'taxer' (to tax).

As a Subject: L'importation de vin étranger a triplé en dix ans. (The import of foreign wine has tripled in ten years.)
As an Object: Nous devons faciliter l'importation de nouvelles technologies. (We must facilitate the import of new technologies.)
With Adjectives: Une importation massive, une importation illégale, une importation temporaire.

One of the most common sentence patterns involves the construction 'importation de [noun]'. This specifies exactly what is being brought in. For instance, 'l'importation de pétrole' or 'l'importation de soie'. Notice that the 'de' does not always contract to 'du' or 'des' if you are speaking about the general category of goods. However, if you refer to specific goods, you might say 'l'importation des produits chinois'.

Le port de Marseille gère une importation constante de marchandises diverses.

In more advanced usage, you will see the word used in complex noun phrases that function as compound terms. For example, 'une entreprise d'importation-exportation' (an import-export company). Here, 'importation' acts as a qualifier for the type of business. You might also encounter it in passive constructions: 'Cette mesure vise à freiner l'importation.' (This measure aims to slow down importation.)

L'agence contrôle l'importation de médicaments non autorisés.

Il a payé une taxe sur une importation de matériel électronique.

Le pays a réduit l'importation de plastique à usage unique.

L'histoire de la soie en France a commencé par une importation d'Asie.

The word importation is a staple of the French media landscape. If you turn on the news (like France 2 or BFM TV) and the subject is the economy, you are almost guaranteed to hear it. It is used to discuss energy costs, agricultural competition, and trade wars. For instance, when French farmers protest, they often speak about 'les importations déloyales' (unfair imports) from countries with lower environmental standards.

In Professional Environments: Logistics managers and supply chain specialists use this word daily. They talk about 'délais d'importation' (import delays) or 'frais d'importation' (import fees) during meetings.
In the Supermarket: Labels on food often indicate the origin. You might see 'Importation de [Pays]' on a sticker for avocados or mangoes.
Academic and Historical Study: History teachers use the word to describe the Silk Road or the spice trade, explaining how 'l'importation d'épices' changed European cuisine.

Another common place to hear this word is in political debates. Politicians often argue about 'la substitution aux importations' (import substitution)—the idea of producing goods locally rather than buying them from abroad. This is a central theme in discussions about 'souveraineté économique' (economic sovereignty). In this context, the word takes on a more ideological tone, representing a dependence on foreign powers.

Le journaliste a posé une question sur l'importation d'énergie nucléaire.

You might also encounter the word in the world of art and culture, though less frequently. An art dealer might mention 'l'importation d'œuvres d'art' when discussing the legalities of moving a painting from a New York gallery to a Paris exhibition. Even in the digital world, though 'téléchargement' is used for files, 'importation de données' (importing data) is a standard technical term in software like Excel or CRM systems.

Nous avons un problème avec l'importation de ce fichier CSV.

Le rapport annuel détaille l'importation de composants électroniques.

La douane a saisi une importation de contrefaçons.

On parle souvent de l'importation de la culture américaine en Europe.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing the noun importation with the verb importer or the masculine noun import. While 'import' is used in English as both a noun and a verb, French maintains a strict distinction. 'L'importation' is the formal noun for the process. Using 'un import' is common in business jargon, but in formal writing or exams, 'une importation' is preferred.

Gender Errors: Many learners say 'le importation' because they associate trade with masculine terms. Always remember: words ending in '-tion' in French are almost always feminine. It is 'la' or 'une'.
Confusion with Exportation: It seems simple, but in the heat of a conversation, learners often swap 'importation' (in) and 'exportation' (out). Think of the 'im-' as 'into' (intérieur).
Immigration vs. Importation: Never use 'importation' for people. While 'importation de main-d'œuvre' (importation of labor) is a technical economic term, it can sound dehumanizing. For people moving countries, use 'immigration'.

Another mistake involves prepositions. Learners often say 'importation de Chine' when it should be 'importation en provenance de Chine' or simply 'importation de produits chinois'. While 'importation de Chine' is understandable, the more precise 'en provenance de' is common in logistics. Also, avoid using 'faire une importation' when 'importer' is more natural. For example, instead of 'Je fais l'importation de thé', say 'J'importe du thé' or 'Je travaille dans l'importation de thé'.

Faux: Le importation est cher. Correct: L'importation est chère.

In technical settings, specifically computing, users often confuse 'importer' with 'ouvrir'. In French, 'importer un fichier' specifically means bringing data into an existing structure, whereas 'ouvrir' simply means opening the file. Using 'importation' for simply opening a document is a semantic error. Finally, be careful with the plural. In English, we might say 'the import of oil' (singular), but in French, if you are talking about the general activity over time, 'les importations de pétrole' is very common.

Faux: L'importation des gens. Correct: L'immigration des personnes.

Faux: Faire une importation de fichiers. Correct: Importer des fichiers.

Attention à l'accord : Une importation massive (féminin).

Ne confondez pas importation (the act) et importateur (the person/company).

While importation is the most precise term for international trade, several other words can be used depending on the context. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid repetitive language in your writing. The most direct alternative in a business context is often 'l'achat à l'étranger' (buying abroad), but this focuses on the transaction rather than the physical movement of goods.

Introduction: Often used for animals, plants, or new species. 'L'introduction d'une espèce invasive' (The introduction of an invasive species) instead of 'importation'.
Arrivage: Common in retail (shops/markets). 'Un nouvel arrivage de fruits' means a new shipment has arrived, often implying it was imported.
Apport: Used metaphorically for ideas or contributions. 'L'apport de la culture italienne' (The contribution of Italian culture).

In the realm of logistics, you might hear 'fret' (freight) or 'cargaison' (cargo). While 'importation' describes the legal and economic act, 'cargaison' describes the physical pile of goods on the ship. If you are talking about the illegal movement of goods, 'contrebande' (smuggling) is the correct term. Furthermore, in computer science, 'importation' is specific; you might also use 'acquisition de données' or 'chargement' depending on the software's specific action.

Ce magasin propose un arrivage hebdomadaire de produits italiens.

When discussing the origin of an object, you can use the adjective 'importé' (imported). 'Un produit importé' is often more natural than saying 'un produit issu d'une importation'. In academic writing, you might see 'entrée' used in phrases like 'l'entrée de capitaux' (the entry of capital), which is essentially the importation of money. Comparing 'importation' with 'introduction' is particularly useful: 'importation' is commercial, whereas 'introduction' is often biological or conceptual.

L' introduction du café en Europe date du XVIIe siècle.

La contrebande est une importation illégale de marchandises.

L'entreprise gère l' acquisition de ressources à l'international.

Il y a un grand apport de technologies étrangères dans ce projet.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'port' in 'importation' refers to a harbor, the place where goods historically entered a country. This link between the action and the location is still visible today.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɛ̃.pɔʁ.ta.sjɔ̃/

US /ɛ̃.pɔʁ.ta.sjɔ̃/

The stress in French is usually on the final syllable: im-por-ta-TION.

Reimt sich auf

exportation nation station création situation formation relation opération

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'n' in 'im' clearly (it should be nasal).
Pronouncing 'tion' like the English 'shun' instead of 'sy-on'.
Failing to pronounce the 'r' in the back of the throat.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the last.
Misgendering the word (it is feminine).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate of the English word.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the feminine gender and correct 'tion' spelling.

Sprechen 3/5

Nasal vowels and 'tion' ending can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 2/5

Usually clear in context, especially in news or business.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

pays acheter vendre marchandise frontière

Als Nächstes lernen

exportation douane commerce tarif logistique

Fortgeschritten

mercantilisme protectionnisme balance commerciale libre-échange connaissement

Wichtige Grammatik

Nouns ending in -tion are almost always feminine.

La nation, la création, l'importation.

Elision with definite articles before a vowel.

La + importation = l'importation.

Adjective agreement with feminine nouns.

Une importation massive (not massif).

Using 'de' for categorization.

L'importation de pétrole (general) vs l'importation du pétrole (specific lot).

Pluralization by adding -s.

Une importation -> des importations.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

C'est une importation d'Italie.

It is an import from Italy.

Uses 'une' because importation is feminine.

L'importation de fruits est importante.

The import of fruit is important.

L' is used before a vowel.

J'achète une importation.

I am buying an import.

Direct object of the verb acheter.

L'importation vient de loin.

The import comes from far away.

Vient is the verb venir (to come).

Regarde cette importation !

Look at this import!

Cette is the feminine demonstrative adjective.

Une importation de riz.

An import of rice.

De indicates the content.

C'est une bonne importation.

It is a good import.

Bonne is the feminine form of bon.

L'importation est ici.

The import is here.

Simple subject-verb-adverb structure.

Cette entreprise fait l'importation de café.

This company does the importing of coffee.

Fait l'importation is a common way to describe business activity.

L'importation de voitures est chère.

Importing cars is expensive.

Chère agrees with the feminine noun importation.

Il travaille dans l'importation.

He works in importing.

Dans indicates the field of work.

Nous limitons l'importation de plastique.

We are limiting the import of plastic.

Limitons is the 'nous' form of limiter.

C'est une importation illégale.

It is an illegal import.

Illégale agrees with the feminine noun.

L'importation aide l'économie.

Importing helps the economy.

Aide is the verb aider (to help).

Elle préfère l'importation directe.

She prefers direct importing.

Directe is the feminine adjective.

Les importations augmentent cette année.

Imports are increasing this year.

Plural form: les importations.

L'importation de produits bio est en hausse.

The import of organic products is on the rise.

En hausse means 'increasing' or 'rising'.

Le pays dépend de l'importation de gaz.

The country depends on the import of gas.

Dépend de requires the preposition de.

Il faut une licence pour cette importation.

A license is needed for this import.

Licence is a feminine noun.

L'importation massive a détruit le marché local.

Massive importing destroyed the local market.

Massive is the feminine form of massif.

Le coût de l'importation a doublé.

The cost of importing has doubled.

Coût is a masculine noun.

Vérifiez les taxes sur l'importation.

Check the taxes on the import.

Sur indicates the object of the tax.

L'importation de données a réussi.

The data import was successful.

Technical use in computing.

C'est une importation de luxe.

It is a luxury import.

De luxe acts as an adjective phrase.

La politique de substitution aux importations est complexe.

The policy of import substitution is complex.

Substitution aux importations is a specific economic term.

L'importation de matières premières est cruciale pour l'industrie.

The import of raw materials is crucial for industry.

Matières premières means 'raw materials'.

Les quotas d'importation protègent les agriculteurs.

Import quotas protect farmers.

Quotas is a masculine plural noun.

L'importation de produits culturels influence la jeunesse.

The import of cultural products influences youth.

Metaphorical use for culture.

Il y a des restrictions sur l'importation d'armes.

There are restrictions on the import of weapons.

Restrictions is a feminine plural noun.

L'importation temporaire permet d'éviter certaines taxes.

Temporary importation allows one to avoid certain taxes.

Temporaire is an adjective for both genders.

L'excédent des importations pèse sur la monnaie.

The surplus of imports weighs on the currency.

Pèse sur means 'weighs on' or 'affects'.

L'importation de main-d'œuvre a marqué l'histoire du pays.

The importation of labor marked the country's history.

Main-d'œuvre is a feminine noun for 'labor'.

Le gouvernement prône une réduction drastique de l'importation d'énergie.

The government advocates for a drastic reduction in energy imports.

Prôner means 'to advocate' or 'to extol'.

L'importation de normes juridiques étrangères soulève des débats.

The importation of foreign legal norms raises debates.

Abstract use in law.

La fluidité de l'importation dépend de la numérisation des douanes.

The fluidity of importing depends on the digitization of customs.

Fluidité refers to how smoothly a process runs.

L'importation de céréales est un enjeu géopolitique majeur.

Grain importation is a major geopolitical issue.

Enjeu means 'stake' or 'issue'.

On assiste à une importation de modes de vie globaux.

We are witnessing an importation of global lifestyles.

On assiste à means 'we are witnessing'.

L'importation de produits finis nuit à l'artisanat local.

The import of finished products harms local craftsmanship.

Nuit à comes from the verb nuire (to harm).

Le régime fiscal favorise l'importation de biens d'équipement.

The tax regime favors the import of capital goods.

Biens d'équipement means 'capital goods'.

L'importation de bois tropical est strictement réglementée.

The import of tropical wood is strictly regulated.

Réglementée agrees with importation.

L'importation de paradigmes néolibéraux a transformé les services publics.

The importation of neoliberal paradigms has transformed public services.

Highly abstract/academic usage.

L'élasticité de la demande par rapport à l'importation varie selon les secteurs.

The elasticity of demand relative to imports varies by sector.

Technical economic terminology.

L'importation de composants critiques crée une vulnérabilité stratégique.

Importing critical components creates a strategic vulnerability.

Formal strategic analysis.

Il s'agit d'une importation pure et simple de la législation européenne.

It is a pure and simple importation of European legislation.

Pure et simple is an idiomatic expression for 'outright'.

L'importation de main-d'œuvre qualifiée pallie le déficit démographique.

The importation of skilled labor offsets the demographic deficit.

Pallier means 'to offset' or 'to alleviate'.

L'importation de l'inflation est un risque pour les économies ouvertes.

Importing inflation is a risk for open economies.

Economic concept: inflation importée.

L'importation de techniques agricoles a révolutionné la production.

The importation of agricultural techniques revolutionized production.

Historical/technical analysis.

La dépendance à l'importation de technologies de pointe est préoccupante.

Dependence on the import of cutting-edge technologies is worrying.

De pointe means 'cutting-edge' or 'state-of-the-art'.

Häufige Kollokationen

importation massive

licence d'importation

droits d'importation

frais d'importation

importation directe

quota d'importation

interdire l'importation

dépendre de l'importation

importation de données

taxe à l'importation

Häufige Phrasen

Produit d'importation

— A product that has been imported from another country.

Ce fromage est un produit d'importation.

Société d'importation

— A company specialized in bringing goods from abroad.

Il travaille pour une société d'importation.

Importation-exportation

— The general sector of international trade.

Le secteur de l'importation-exportation est dynamique.

Importation parallèle

— Importing goods outside of official distribution channels.

L'importation parallèle peut être risquée.

Importation temporaire

— Bringing goods in for a short time (e.g., for an exhibition).

Le régime de l'importation temporaire est utile.

Faire l'importation de

— To carry out the act of importing something.

Nous faisons l'importation de soie de Chine.

Substitution aux importations

— Replacing foreign imports with domestic production.

La substitution aux importations aide l'industrie nationale.

Contrôle des importations

— The inspection of goods entering the country.

Le contrôle des importations est renforcé à la frontière.

Volume des importations

— The total amount of goods imported.

Le volume des importations a chuté ce mois-ci.

Importation de services

— Buying services (like consulting) from a foreign entity.

L'importation de services informatiques est courante.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

une importation vs exportation

The opposite act (sending goods out).

une importation vs immigration

Refers to people moving countries, whereas importation refers to goods.

une importation vs introduction

Often used for biological species or abstract ideas instead of trade.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Vivre d'importations"

— To be heavily dependent on foreign goods for survival.

Cette île vit d'importations alimentaires.

Neutral

"Une importation pure et simple"

— An outright copy or adoption of something from abroad without change.

C'est une importation pure et simple du modèle américain.

Formal

"L'importation d'idées"

— The act of adopting foreign concepts or philosophies.

L'importation d'idées révolutionnaires a changé le pays.

Literary

"Freiner les importations"

— To slow down or restrict the flow of foreign goods.

Le ministre veut freiner les importations de voitures.

Political

"Ouvrir les vannes aux importations"

— To allow massive and unrestricted entry of foreign goods.

Le traité a ouvert les vannes aux importations de blé.

Journalistic

"Importation sauvage"

— Unregulated or chaotic importing often bypassing laws.

Il faut lutter contre l'importation sauvage de déchets.

Informal

"L'importation de la discorde"

— A specific import that causes political or social conflict.

L'importation de soja OGM est l'importation de la discorde.

Journalistic

"Sous le régime de l'importation"

— Being subject to the legal rules of importing.

Le matériel est placé sous le régime de l'importation temporaire.

Legal

"Le mal de l'importation"

— The negative economic effect of relying too much on imports.

Le pays souffre du mal de l'importation excessive.

Economic

"Une importation de fortune"

— A makeshift or unplanned import to solve a crisis.

C'était une importation de fortune pour pallier la pénurie.

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

une importation vs Import

Looks like the English word.

In French, 'un import' is mostly used in computer science or as business shorthand. 'Une importation' is the standard noun.

L'importation (standard) vs un import de données (technical).

une importation vs Imposer

Similar root.

Imposer means 'to impose' or 'to tax', while importer means 'to import'.

On impose des taxes sur l'importation.

une importation vs Important

Similar spelling.

Important is an adjective meaning 'significant', not related to trade directly.

C'est une importation importante.

une importation vs Emportement

Phonetically similar parts.

Emportement means 'outburst' or 'anger'.

Il a eu un emportement soudain.

une importation vs Apport

Similar meaning (bringing in).

Apport is a contribution or an input, often used for ideas or finance.

L'apport de capital.

Satzmuster

C'est une importation de [Pays].

C'est une importation de Chine.

J'aime l'importation de [Produit].

J'aime l'importation de café.

Le pays dépend de l'importation de [Ressource].

Le pays dépend de l'importation de gaz.

L'importation massive de [Nom] nuit à [Secteur].

L'importation massive de vêtements nuit à l'industrie locale.

On assiste à une réduction de l'importation de [Nom].

On assiste à une réduction de l'importation d'hydrocarbures.

L'importation de [Concept] a bouleversé [Domaine].

L'importation de méthodes managériales a bouleversé l'entreprise.

Il faut une licence pour l'importation de [Nom].

Il faut une licence pour l'importation d'alcool.

L'importation est [Adjectif].

L'importation est nécessaire.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

importateur (importer - person/company)

import (import - technical term)

réimportation (re-importing)

Verben

importer (to import)

réimporter (to re-import)

Adjektive

importable (importable)

importé (imported)

importateur (importing - e.g., pays importateur)

Verwandt

douane

commerce

frontière

marchandise

logistique

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Highly frequent in economic, political, and technical contexts.

Häufige Fehler

Le importation est cher. → L'importation est chère.
Importation is feminine, so the article should be 'l'' (from 'la') and the adjective 'chère' must agree.
L'importation des personnes. → L'immigration des personnes.
Use 'importation' for goods and 'immigration' for people. Using 'importation' for humans sounds like trafficking or slavery.
Je fais l'import de café. → J'importe du café / Je fais l'importation de café.
'Import' is mostly technical or an anglicism. Use the full word 'importation' or the verb 'importer'.
Importation depuis Chine. → Importation de Chine / en provenance de Chine.
While 'depuis' means 'from', 'de' or 'en provenance de' are the standard prepositions for origin in trade.
L'importation massive de textiles. → L'importation massive de textiles.
This is actually correct, but students often forget the 'e' on 'massive'. Remember: massive (f) vs massif (m).

Tipps

Remember the Gender

Always associate 'importation' with 'la'. Since most English speakers struggle with gender, remembering that -tion words are feminine will help you with hundreds of other French words too.

Pair with 'De'

The most common structure is 'importation de' + noun. Practice saying 'importation de café', 'importation de pétrole', 'importation de soie' to get used to the flow.

Contrast with Exportation

Whenever you learn 'importation', always review 'exportation'. They are two sides of the same coin and often appear together in business texts (Import-Export).

Nasal Check

The first syllable 'im' is nasal. Don't let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth for the 'm'. It's more of a vibration in the nose.

Economic Trends

In news, look for 'en hausse' (rising) or 'en baisse' (falling) next to 'importations'. This will help you understand economic reports quickly.

Single M

Unlike some English words, 'importation' in French has only one 'm'. Don't be tempted to double it.

Made in France

Understanding the cultural push against 'importations' in France will help you understand political debates and supermarket marketing.

Software Language

Change your phone or computer language to French. You will see 'Importer' and 'Importation' every time you move photos or contacts.

Liaison Practice

In the plural 'les importations', listen for the 'z' sound connecting 'les' to 'importations'. (lay-z-im-por-ta-sy-on).

The Port Connection

Visualize a 'Port' where ships come 'In'. That is 'Importation'. It's a simple but effective visual anchor.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'IMportation' as bringing things 'IN' through the 'PORT'. The 'tion' ending tells you it's a feminine action word.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant ship entering a French harbor (port) filled with boxes marked with 'IN'.

Word Web

Commerce Bateau Douane Économie Étranger Marchandise Achat Frontière

Herausforderung

Try to find three items in your room and say 'C'est une importation de [Country]'. Check the labels to see if you are right!

Wortherkunft

From the Latin 'importatio', derived from 'importare', which combines 'in-' (into) and 'portare' (to carry). It literally means 'carrying into'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The act of bringing or carrying something into a place.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'importation' in the context of labor; 'immigration' is the human-centric term, while 'importation de main-d'œuvre' is strictly economic.

In English, 'import' is very common as a noun, but in French, 'importation' is the formal, standard noun. English speakers might over-rely on 'un import'.

The 'Loi de substitution aux importations' in various economic histories. The movie 'L'Import-Export' (though often using the shorthand). Economic debates on France Culture radio.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Business/Trade

contrat d'importation
délais d'importation
coûts d'importation
stratégie d'importation

Economics

flux d'importation
dépendance aux importations
substitution d'importation
croissance des importations

Customs

déclaration d'importation
formalités d'importation
taxes à l'importation
interdiction d'importation

Technology

importation de fichiers
importation de base de données
assistant d'importation
erreur d'importation

Agriculture

importation de céréales
importation de produits frais
normes d'importation
concurrence des importations

Gesprächseinstiege

"Penses-tu que l'importation de produits étrangers est une bonne chose pour notre économie ?"

"Quelles sont les importations les plus importantes pour ton pays selon toi ?"

"Est-ce que tu regardes souvent si un produit est une importation avant de l'acheter ?"

"Trouves-tu que l'importation de culture américaine est trop forte en France ?"

"Quels problèmes peuvent être causés par une importation massive de marchandises ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décris un objet chez toi qui est une importation. D'où vient-il et pourquoi l'as-tu acheté ?

Imagine que tu travailles dans une société d'importation. Quels produits voudrais-tu faire venir ?

Réflexion : Est-il possible pour un pays moderne de vivre sans aucune importation ?

Écris une lettre au ministre du commerce pour demander de limiter l'importation de plastique.

Raconte l'histoire d'une importation célèbre dans l'histoire, comme le thé ou la soie.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Oui, le mot 'importation' est toujours féminin en français. On dit 'une importation' ou 'la grande importation'. Cela suit la règle générale selon laquelle les mots se terminant par '-tion' sont féminins.

'Importation' est le terme standard et formel pour l'acte de faire venir des marchandises. 'Import' est un anglicisme ou un terme technique utilisé principalement en informatique (import de données) ou comme raccourci dans le commerce.

Généralement non. Pour les personnes, on utilise 'immigration'. L'expression 'importation de main-d'œuvre' existe en économie, mais elle est très technique et peut paraître impersonnelle ou déshumanisante dans un contexte social.

On dit 'droits de douane' ou 'droits d'importation'. Ce sont les taxes que l'on doit payer quand on fait entrer des marchandises dans un pays.

Le contraire exact est 'exportation'. L'importation fait entrer les produits, l'exportation les fait sortir pour les vendre à l'étranger.

Oui, c'est très courant. On parle d'importation de fichiers, de contacts ou de données. Cela signifie transférer des informations d'un logiciel ou d'un format vers un autre.

Le 'tion' se prononce comme 'sy-on' [sjɔ̃]. Le 't' prend un son de 's' et le 'on' est une voyelle nasale. Ne le prononcez pas comme le 'shun' anglais.

Oui, c'est correct, mais souvent le verbe 'importer' est plus direct et naturel. Par exemple, 'Il importe du vin' est plus courant que 'Il fait l'importation de vin'.

C'est quand des produits sont importés par des canaux qui ne sont pas les distributeurs officiels de la marque. C'est légal dans certains cas mais souvent surveillé par les entreprises.

Parce que 'importation' commence par une voyelle. En français, l'article 'la' devient 'l'' devant une voyelle pour faciliter la prononciation. C'est ce qu'on appelle l'élision.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen