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A2 noun 10分で読める

citation

練習する例文メモとヒント citation 30秒で

解説 citation in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of a 'citation' as a simple 'quote' or a 'famous sentence.' You might see it on a poster or in a very simple book. It is a feminine word, so you say 'une citation.' For a beginner, the most important thing is to know that it refers to words spoken by someone else. You can use it when talking about your favorite movie line or a sentence from a song. In French class, your teacher might show you a 'citation du jour' to help you learn new words. You don't need to worry about the legal or military meanings yet. Just focus on the idea of repeating what someone said. For example, if you say, 'I like this quote,' you say, 'J'aime cette citation.' It is a useful word because it helps you share things you find interesting. Remember to pronounce it like 'see-tah-syon.' The '-tion' sound in French is always like 'syon,' never like 'shun' in English. This is a great word to practice your French pronunciation. You will mostly use it with simple verbs like 'aimer' (to like), 'lire' (to read), or 'écrire' (to write). Keep it simple and enjoy discovering new French quotes!

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At the A2 level, you are starting to use 'citation' in more structured ways, especially in a school or learning environment. You should know that a citation is used to show that you are using someone else's words. When you write a small paragraph about a story, you might include a citation to prove your point. You will also start to see the preposition 'de' being used to link the quote to the person who said it, like 'une citation de Victor Hugo.' At this level, you should also be aware of 'guillemets' (« »), which are the French quotation marks used to set off a citation. You might learn phrases like 'faire une citation' (to make a quote). You can also use it to talk about social media, where you might see 'citations inspirantes' (inspiring quotes). It's a feminine noun, so pay attention to the adjectives you use with it, like 'belle citation' or 'longue citation.' You are also beginning to understand that citations are important for not copying others' work. If you are reading a French newspaper for learners, you will often see citations from people being interviewed. This helps you understand how people actually speak. Start trying to use 'citation' instead of just 'phrase' when you are talking about something someone famous said.

At the B1 level, you can handle the word 'citation' in more varied contexts, including intermediate academic work and general discussions about literature or news. You understand that a citation is not just a sentence but a piece of evidence. You can use verbs like 'extraire' (to extract) or 'rapporter' (to report) in relation to citations. For example, 'Il a rapporté une citation de l'expert.' You are also becoming aware of the cultural importance of citations in France, where quoting great thinkers is a sign of a good education. You might participate in a debate and say, 'Comme le dit la citation...' (As the quote says...). At this level, you should also be introduced to the legal meaning of the word: 'une citation à comparaître' (a summons). While you might not use it daily, knowing this will help you understand French news or crime dramas. You should also be able to distinguish between a citation and a 'proverbe' or 'dicton.' A citation has a specific author, while a proverb is general folk wisdom. You can start using 'citation' to discuss the themes of a book or a film more deeply. You might also encounter 'dictionnaires de citations,' which are popular books in France. Your ability to use the word in different grammatical structures, such as 'grâce à cette citation' or 'malgré cette citation,' shows your progress.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'citation' with precision in academic and professional settings. You understand the nuances of 'le devoir de citation' (the duty to cite) and the serious consequences of 'le plagiat' (plagiarism). You can discuss the accuracy of a quote using terms like 'citation exacte' or 'citation tronquée' (a truncated or cut-off quote). You are also comfortable with the legal terminology, understanding the difference between a 'citation directe' and other types of legal summons. In military history or news, you recognize 'une citation à l'ordre de l'armée' as a high honor. Your vocabulary around this word expands to include related concepts like 'référencer' (to reference) and 'sourcer' (to provide sources). You can analyze how a citation is used to support a rhetorical argument. For instance, you might say, 'L'auteur utilise cette citation pour renforcer sa thèse.' You are also aware of 'citations apocryphes'—quotes that are widely but wrongly attributed to someone. This shows a higher level of cultural literacy. You should be able to write a formal bibliography where 'citations' are correctly formatted according to French standards. Your pronunciation should be clear, and you should be able to use the word in complex sentences involving relative clauses, like 'La citation que j'ai choisie illustre bien le problème.'

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At the C1 level, your use of 'citation' is sophisticated and nuanced. You can engage in complex literary analysis where the function of a citation is scrutinized. You might discuss 'l'intertextualité' (intertextuality), where one text makes a 'citation' or a 'clin d'œil' (a nod) to another. You understand the stylistic impact of using a citation in an introductory 'épigraphe' of a book. In professional contexts, you can handle complex legal or administrative documents that involve 'citations en justice.' You are aware of the historical evolution of the word and its roots in Latin 'citatio.' You can use the word in idiomatic and formal expressions with ease. Your ability to distinguish between 'citation,' 'allusion,' and 'référence' is sharp. For example, you can explain how an allusion is an indirect mention, whereas a citation is direct. You might also explore the philosophical implications of quoting, such as how a citation changes meaning when moved to a new context. In high-level debates, you can use citations strategically to establish authority. You are also sensitive to the 'registre' (register) of the word, knowing when to use 'citation' and when a more specific term like 'aphorisme' or 'sentence' (in the sense of a moral maxim) would be more appropriate. Your writing reflects a mastery of the conventions surrounding citations in diverse fields, from law to the humanities.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native or native-like command of 'citation' and its surrounding semantic field. You can navigate the most technical legal applications of the word, such as those found in the 'Code de procédure pénale.' You understand the deep cultural weight that citations carry in the French 'esprit critique' (critical mind). You can write or speak about the ethics of citation in the age of AI and digital reproduction. You are familiar with the most obscure uses, such as 'citation' in the context of rare military distinctions or historical heraldry. You can appreciate and use the word in poetic or highly formal rhetorical structures. Your understanding of 'citation' includes its role in the construction of national identity through the 'lieux de mémoire' (sites of memory) and the common cultural references shared by French speakers. You can critique the use of citations in political discourse, identifying when they are used as 'arguments d'autorité' (appeals to authority) rather than genuine evidence. You are also capable of translating complex English texts involving the word 'citation,' choosing between 'citation,' 'assignation,' 'mention,' or 'amende' based on the subtle legal or social context. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for sophisticated intellectual engagement with the French language and its vast literary and legal traditions.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

citation 30秒で

Citation means 'quotation' in English and is used to credit someone's specific words in a text.
It is a feminine noun (la citation) and is frequently used in school, law, and social media.
In a legal context, it refers to a formal summons to appear before a judge or court.
It can also represent a military honor or formal commendation for an act of bravery.

The French word citation is a versatile feminine noun that primarily refers to the act of repeating or pointing to something previously said or written. At its most basic level, it translates to quotation in English. When you are reading a book and see words enclosed in quotation marks attributed to a specific person, that is a citation. However, the scope of this word in French is broader than just literary excerpts. It encompasses the formal act of referencing an authority or a source to support an argument, a practice essential in academic, journalistic, and legal writing. In a classroom setting, a teacher might ask students to provide a citation from a text to justify their analysis of a character’s motivations. This usage emphasizes the intellectual rigor of backing up claims with evidence. Beyond the academic sphere, citation is a common term in the legal world. If someone is required to appear in court, they receive a citation à comparaître, which is a formal summons. This legal dimension highlights the word's origin in the idea of calling or summoning something to the forefront. Furthermore, in military or official contexts, a citation can represent a formal commendation or an award for bravery. When a soldier performs an act of valor, they might receive a citation à l'ordre de l'armée, which is a public recognition of their service. In daily life, especially with the rise of social media, the word has taken on a more casual, inspirational tone. People often share citations on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest—short, punchy phrases from famous philosophers, writers, or celebrities intended to motivate or provoke thought.

Literary Usage: In literature, a citation serves to anchor a text in a tradition or to challenge existing ideas by directly engaging with the words of others.

Cette citation de Victor Hugo illustre parfaitement son engagement social.

Legal Context: A 'citation en justice' is a formal document ordering someone to appear before a judge or a court of law.

L'avocat a préparé une citation directe pour le procès de demain.

Military Honor: A 'citation militaire' is a mention of a soldier's distinguished service in official reports, often leading to a medal.

Le colonel a lu la citation devant toute la garnison réunie.

N'oubliez pas d'inclure la citation complète dans votre bibliographie.

J'ai trouvé une citation inspirante pour commencer mon discours.

Using citation correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and its common associations with verbs and prepositions. The most frequent verb paired with citation is faire (to make). When you say faire une citation, you are quoting someone. For example, 'Il aime faire des citations de Napoléon' means 'He likes to quote Napoleon.' Another common verb is extraire (to extract), as in 'Cette citation est extraite de son dernier roman.' This highlights that the quote is a specific part taken from a larger whole. You will also see it used with identifier (to identify) or vérifier (to verify), especially in professional or academic contexts where the accuracy of a quote is paramount. In terms of grammar, citation is often followed by the preposition de to indicate the author or the source: 'une citation de Voltaire' or 'une citation de la Bible.' It can also be followed by sur to indicate the subject matter, though this is less common than in English. For instance, 'une citation sur l'amour' (a quote about love). In legal sentences, the structure changes slightly. You might hear 'recevoir une citation,' which means to be served with a summons. Here, the word acts as a formal object of a legal procedure. In military contexts, the phrase is often 'obtenir une citation,' meaning to earn a commendation. When writing, remember that quotations in French are typically enclosed in guillemets (« ») rather than English-style double quotes (" "), although the word citation itself refers to the content regardless of the punctuation used.

Attribution: Always use 'de' to attribute a quote to its author: 'Une citation de Molière'.

Pouvez-vous me donner une citation qui résume votre pensée ?

Verbal Phrases: 'Faire une citation' is the standard way to say 'to quote' using the noun.

L'article commence par une citation très célèbre de Rousseau.

Formal Contexts: In law, 'citation' is often used with 'comparaître' (to appear).

Il a reçu une citation à comparaître comme témoin.

Chaque citation doit être accompagnée de sa source exacte.

Sa citation était légèrement inexacte, ce qui a changé le sens du propos.

You will encounter the word citation in a variety of settings, ranging from the highly formal to the everyday casual. In French schools and universities, it is omnipresent. Students are constantly taught the importance of the citation in their dissertations (essays) and commentaires de texte. A student might hear a professor say, 'Votre analyse manque de citations,' indicating that the student hasn't provided enough evidence from the primary text. In the media, journalists frequently use the word when reporting on speeches or interviews. You might read in a newspaper, 'Voici une citation marquante du Premier ministre,' followed by a key sentence from a press conference. In the digital age, citation has found a massive home on social media. Many French accounts are dedicated solely to sharing 'citations du jour' (quotes of the day). These are often aesthetically pleasing images featuring a thoughtful sentence by a writer like Albert Camus or a contemporary figure. If you are watching a French legal drama or news report about a trial, the word will likely appear in its legal sense. Terms like 'citation directe' (a procedure where a victim or the prosecutor calls a person directly before a criminal court) are common in these contexts. In a more historical or commemorative setting, such as a Veterans Day ceremony (Le 11 novembre), you might hear citations being read aloud to honor the bravery of soldiers. This diversity of usage makes citation a high-frequency word that bridges the gap between literature, law, and popular culture.

In the Classroom: Teachers use it to discuss textual evidence and academic integrity.

Pour l'examen, vous devez mémoriser au moins une citation par œuvre.

In Social Media: Hashtags like #citationdujour or #citationinspirante are very popular.

J'ai partagé une citation sur mon profil pour motiver mes amis.

In Legal Dramas: The dramatic moment often involves a 'citation à comparaître' being delivered.

L'huissier lui a remis une citation devant sa porte.

Cette citation est souvent attribuée à tort à Einstein.

Le dictionnaire de citations est un outil indispensable pour les écrivains.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with citation is confusing the noun with the verb. In English, we often say 'to cite a source.' In French, you must use the verb citer for this action, while citation remains the noun. Saying 'Je vais citation cet auteur' is incorrect; it should be 'Je vais citer cet auteur.' Another common error involves the gender of the word. Since it ends in '-tion,' it is feminine (la citation), but learners often default to masculine because 'le' is sometimes their 'safe' choice for new nouns. Another nuance to be aware of is the difference between a citation and a mention. While a citation is a direct quote of words, a mention is a broader reference to a person or thing without necessarily quoting them. If you just say 'I saw your name in the paper,' that’s a mention (une mention), not necessarily a citation unless your specific words were quoted. There is also a potential confusion with the word site (place/location) or cité (city/housing project) because of their similar sounds. While citation has three syllables (ci-ta-tion), site and cité are shorter. Furthermore, in the context of academic plagiarism, students sometimes think citation only refers to the words in quotes. In reality, in French academic culture, failing to provide a citation for an idea (paraphrasing without credit) is also considered a failure of the 'devoir de citation' (the duty to cite). Finally, be careful with the legal meaning. In English, a 'traffic citation' is a ticket or a fine. In French, a citation is specifically a summons to court. If you get a speeding ticket in France, it is called a PV (procès-verbal) or une amende, not une citation.

Noun vs. Verb: Use 'citation' as the thing, 'citer' as the action. Never use 'citation' as a verb.

Fausse note : 'Je veux citation ce livre'. Correct : 'Je veux citer ce livre'.

False Friend: Traffic Ticket: A speeding ticket is an 'amende', not a 'citation'. A 'citation' in law is much more serious.

Il a payé son amende, mais il n'a pas reçu de citation au tribunal.

Misattribution: Be careful with 'citation apocryphe'—this refers to a quote falsely attributed to someone.

Attention, cette citation est apocryphe ; Marie-Antoinette ne l'a jamais dite.

L'étudiant a oublié de mettre la citation entre guillemets.

Une citation hors contexte peut être très trompeuse.

To enrich your French vocabulary, it is useful to explore words that are similar to citation but carry slightly different connotations. A common alternative is the word extrait (extract). While a citation is usually a short sentence or phrase quoted for its meaning, an extrait can be a longer passage, such as a paragraph or a whole page, taken from a book or a film. Another related term is passage. This is a general word for any part of a text. You might say, 'J'aime ce passage,' referring to a specific scene, whereas 'J'aime cette citation' refers to the specific words spoken. If the quote is particularly short and carries a moral lesson, it might be called a proverbe (proverb) or a dicton (saying). A maxime is a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct, often used in the context of classical French literature (like the maxims of La Rochefoucauld). If you are referring to a formal reference in a scientific paper, you might use the word référence. In the legal world, although citation is the standard term for a summons, you might also encounter assignation, which is a similar legal document but specifically used in civil cases rather than criminal ones. In a military context, mention is sometimes used synonymously with citation when referring to honors. Finally, if you want to describe a quote that has become a cliché, you might call it an idée reçue or a lieu commun. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the most precise word for your context.

Citation vs. Extrait: A 'citation' is usually a specific set of words quoted; an 'extrait' is a piece taken from a larger work.

Citation vs. Proverbe: A 'citation' has a known author; a 'proverbe' is usually traditional and anonymous.

Citation vs. Référence: A 'référence' points to where information can be found; a 'citation' is the information itself.

L'auteur utilise de nombreuses citations latines dans son texte.

Ce dictionnaire contient des citations de tous les siècles.

Il a illustré son propos avec une citation d'un film culte.

La citation exacte est : 'Je pense, donc je suis'.

Sa citation favorite vient de sa grand-mère.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The word 'citation' in French has kept its legal meaning much more prominently than in English, where 'quote' has largely taken over in common speech.

発音ガイド

UK /si.ta.sjɔ̃/

US /si.tɑ.sjɔ̃/

In French, the stress is generally on the final syllable: ci-ta-TION.

韻が合う語

Nation Station Action Passion Mission Vision Création Éducation

よくある間違い

Pronouncing '-tion' as 'shun' (like in English).
Pronouncing the 'c' as a 'k' sound (it should be 's').
Neglecting the nasal vowel at the end.
Adding an 'h' sound after the 't'.
Stressing the first syllable.

難易度

読解 2/5

The word is very similar to English, making it easy to recognize in text.

ライティング 3/5

Remembering the feminine gender and the '-tion' ending is key.

スピーキング 3/5

The nasal 'on' sound at the end requires practice for non-native speakers.

リスニング 2/5

Easily identifiable due to the distinct 'syon' ending.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

Livre Dire Écrire Nom Phrase

次に学ぶ

Référence Source Plagiat Auteur Guillemets

上級

Intertextualité Apocryphe Summons Épigraphe Aphorisme

知っておくべき文法

Nouns ending in -tion are feminine.

La citation, la nation, la station.

Use 'de' for attribution of a quote.

Une citation de Molière.

French quotation marks are « and ».

Il a écrit : « C'est la vie ».

Adjectives must agree with the feminine noun 'citation'.

Une longue citation.

The plural is formed by adding an 's'.

Des citations.

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レベル別の例文

C'est une belle citation.

It is a beautiful quote.

Use 'une' because citation is feminine.

J'écris une citation.

I am writing a quote.

Present tense of 'écrire'.

Tu aimes cette citation ?

Do you like this quote?

Question using 'cette' (demonstrative adjective).

La citation est courte.

The quote is short.

Adjective 'courte' agrees with the feminine noun.

C'est une citation de mon père.

It is a quote from my father.

Use 'de' for attribution.

Où est la citation ?

Where is the quote?

Interrogative 'où'.

Je lis la citation du jour.

I am reading the quote of the day.

Contraction 'du' (de + le).

Voici une citation célèbre.

Here is a famous quote.

Adjective 'célèbre' follows the noun.

Il faut apprendre une citation par cœur.

You must learn a quote by heart.

'Il faut' + infinitive expresses necessity.

Cette citation vient d'un livre connu.

This quote comes from a well-known book.

Verb 'venir' + 'de'.

Elle a mis la citation entre guillemets.

She put the quote in quotation marks.

'Entre guillemets' is the standard French term.

Je ne comprends pas cette citation.

I don't understand this quote.

Negative structure 'ne... pas'.

C'est une citation sur l'amitié.

It is a quote about friendship.

'Sur' indicates the topic.

L'auteur a utilisé une citation latine.

The author used a Latin quote.

Passé composé of 'utiliser'.

Peux-tu vérifier cette citation ?

Can you verify this quote?

Modal verb 'pouvoir' + infinitive.

La citation est au début du texte.

The quote is at the beginning of the text.

'Au début de' means at the start.

Il a fait une citation pour appuyer son argument.

He made a quote to support his argument.

'Appuyer' means to support or back up.

Cette citation est souvent mal interprétée.

This quote is often misinterpreted.

Passive voice with 'être' + past participle.

J'ai reçu une citation à comparaître au tribunal.

I received a summons to appear in court.

Legal context of 'citation'.

L'article contient plusieurs citations d'experts.

The article contains several quotes from experts.

Plural 'citations'.

La citation de Victor Hugo est très inspirante.

The quote by Victor Hugo is very inspiring.

Adjective 'inspirante' agrees with 'citation'.

N'oubliez pas d'indiquer la source de la citation.

Don't forget to indicate the source of the quote.

Imperative 'n'oubliez pas'.

C'est une citation extraite d'un vieux film.

It is a quote taken from an old movie.

'Extraite' is the past participle used as an adjective.

Le discours a commencé par une citation célèbre.

The speech began with a famous quote.

'Commencer par' means to start with.

L'étudiant a été puni pour manque de citation.

The student was punished for a lack of citation.

'Manque de' is followed by a noun without an article.

Il est important de respecter les règles de citation.

It is important to respect the rules of citation.

Impersonal 'il est' + adjective + 'de' + infinitive.

La citation directe est obligatoire dans ce cas.

Direct citation is mandatory in this case.

Legal term 'citation directe'.

Cette citation apocryphe circule beaucoup sur Internet.

This apocryphal quote circulates a lot on the Internet.

'Apocryphe' means falsely attributed.

Il a obtenu une citation à l'ordre de la nation.

He obtained a commendation in the orders of the nation.

Military/official honor sense.

L'auteur joue avec cette citation pour créer de l'ironie.

The author plays with this quote to create irony.

'Jouer avec' means to manipulate or use cleverly.

Chaque citation doit être vérifiée scrupuleusement.

Every quote must be checked scrupulously.

Adverb 'scrupuleusement' modifies the verb.

La citation était si longue qu'elle a été coupée.

The quote was so long that it was cut.

Result clause 'si... que'.

La citation sert ici d'argument d'autorité.

The quote serves here as an appeal to authority.

'Servir de' means to serve as.

Il a inséré une citation tronquée pour tromper le lecteur.

He inserted a truncated quote to deceive the reader.

'Tronquée' means cut short/incomplete.

L'épigraphe est une citation qui donne le ton au roman.

The epigraph is a quote that sets the tone for the novel.

Relative clause 'qui donne le ton'.

La citation en justice a été délivrée par un huissier.

The court summons was delivered by a bailiff.

'Huissier' is a specific legal official in France.

L'analyse repose sur une citation pivot du deuxième acte.

The analysis rests on a pivotal quote from the second act.

'Reposer sur' means to be based on.

Cette citation s'inscrit dans une longue tradition littéraire.

This quote fits into a long literary tradition.

Pronominal verb 's'inscrire dans'.

Il a fait une citation de mémoire, sans consulter le livre.

He made a quote from memory, without consulting the book.

'De mémoire' means from memory.

La citation est habilement intégrée à la narration.

The quote is skillfully integrated into the narration.

Adverb 'habilement' meaning skillfully.

L'usage abusif de la citation peut nuire à l'originalité.

The excessive use of quotation can harm originality.

'Nuire à' takes an indirect object.

La citation à comparaître est nulle pour vice de forme.

The court summons is void due to a procedural defect.

'Vice de forme' is a technical legal term.

Il a reçu la Croix de Guerre avec une citation élogieuse.

He received the Croix de Guerre with a glowing commendation.

'Élogieuse' means full of praise.

La citation détournée change radicalement le sens initial.

The hijacked quote radically changes the initial meaning.

'Détournée' means diverted or misused.

L'intertextualité se manifeste par des citations constantes.

Intertextuality manifests through constant quotations.

Scientific/Literary terminology.

La citation est le socle sur lequel il bâtit sa réflexion.

The quote is the foundation upon which he builds his reflection.

'Socle' means pedestal or foundation.

On ne saurait se contenter d'une simple citation.

One cannot be satisfied with a simple quote.

Formal 'on ne saurait' + infinitive.

La citation devient ici un véritable objet de polémique.

The quote becomes here a true object of controversy.

'Polémique' means controversy or dispute.

よく使う組み合わせ

Faire une citation

Citation célèbre

Citation à comparaître

Citation exacte

Dictionnaire de citations

Citation militaire

Citation directe

Manquer de citation

Citation apocryphe

Extraire une citation

よく使うフレーズ

C'est une citation.

— Used to clarify that the words just spoken belong to someone else.

Ne vous fâchez pas, c'est une citation !

Entre guillemets, c'est une citation.

— Emphasizes that the following statement is a direct quote.

Comme il le dit, entre guillemets, c'est une citation : 'Le temps, c'est de l'argent'.

Citation du jour.

— A daily quote shared for inspiration or reflection.

Voici la citation du jour pour bien commencer la matinée.

Ouvrez les guillemets.

— A phrase used before stating a citation (literally 'open the quotes').

Ouvrez les guillemets : 'L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux'.

Fermez les guillemets.

— Used after finishing a citation (literally 'close the quotes').

...et fermez les guillemets, fin de la citation.

Fin de citation.

— Used to signal the end of a quoted passage in speech.

Il a dit que tout irait bien, fin de citation.

Besoin d'une citation.

— Expressing that a claim needs evidence or a reference.

Cette affirmation a besoin d'une citation pour être crédible.

Selon la citation.

— According to the quote.

Selon la citation de Sénèque, la vie est courte.

Une pluie de citations.

— Using many quotes in a single text or speech (often used critically).

Son discours était une véritable pluie de citations.

Citation tronquée.

— An incomplete or shortened quote.

Une citation tronquée peut être sortie de son contexte.

よく混同される語

citation vs Citer

Citer is the verb (to quote), while citation is the noun (the quote).

citation vs Site

Site refers to a place or a website, sounding somewhat similar to the start of citation.

citation vs Cité

Cité refers to an ancient city or a modern housing project.

慣用句と表現

"Faire de la citation"

— To quote excessively or to show off one's knowledge by quoting others.

Il ne pense pas par lui-même, il ne fait que de la citation.

informal/critical

"Vivre par une citation"

— To use a specific quote as a life philosophy or guiding principle.

Elle vit par cette citation de Gandhi sur le changement.

neutral

"Une citation qui fait mouche"

— A quote that is perfectly relevant or strikes a chord.

Il a utilisé une citation qui a vraiment fait mouche lors du débat.

standard

"Être au-dessus de toute citation"

— To be so famous or important that quoting them is unnecessary or obvious.

Certains auteurs sont au-dessus de toute citation, tout le monde les connaît.

formal

"Lancer une citation"

— To casually drop a quote into a conversation.

Il a lancé une citation de Churchill pour détendre l'atmosphère.

standard

"Se cacher derrière une citation"

— To use someone else's words to avoid stating one's own opinion.

Au lieu de répondre, il s'est caché derrière une citation de Socrate.

standard

"Une citation à l'emporte-pièce"

— A sharp, decisive, or blunt quote.

Il est connu pour ses citations à l'emporte-pièce sur la politique.

standard

"Mettre en citation"

— To put something in quotes or to highlight it as a quote.

Il a mis en citation les paroles de son grand-père.

standard

"La citation qui tue"

— A quote that perfectly shuts down an argument or ends a discussion.

Elle a sorti la citation qui tue et personne n'a pu répliquer.

informal

"Perdre sa citation"

— To forget the exact words of a quote one was about to say.

Attends, j'ai perdu ma citation, je ne me rappelle plus de la fin.

informal

間違えやすい

citation vs Mention

Both refer to referencing someone.

A citation is a direct quote of words; a mention is just naming someone or something.

Il a fait une mention de mon nom, mais n'a fait aucune citation de mon livre.

citation vs Référence

Both are used in academic writing.

A reference tells you where to look; a citation is the actual text taken from the source.

La référence est en bas de page, mais la citation est dans le texte.

citation vs Extrait

Both are pieces of a larger work.

An extrait is usually a longer passage (a scene, a page); a citation is usually a single sentence or thought.

Cet extrait de film dure trois minutes, mais j'en ai tiré une seule citation.

citation vs Amende

English speakers think 'citation' means a traffic ticket.

An amende is a fine/ticket; a citation is a summons to go to court.

J'ai eu une amende pour excès de vitesse, pas une citation au tribunal.

citation vs Proverbe

Both are famous short sentences.

A proverbe is traditional and anonymous; a citation has a specific, known author.

C'est un proverbe chinois, ce n'est pas une citation de Confucius.

文型パターン

C'est une [Adjectif] citation.

C'est une belle citation.

Une citation de [Auteur].

Une citation de Victor Hugo.

Il a fait une citation pour [Verbe].

Il a fait une citation pour expliquer son idée.

Respecter les règles de [Nom].

Il faut respecter les règles de citation.

La citation sert de [Nom].

La citation sert de preuve dans ce texte.

On ne saurait se passer de [Nom].

On ne saurait se passer d'une citation précise.

Recevoir une citation à [Verbe].

Recevoir une citation à comparaître.

Mettre la citation entre [Nom].

Mettre la citation entre guillemets.

語族

名詞

Citateur (someone who quotes)

Cité (city/estate)

Citationniste (someone who loves quotes)

動詞

Citer (to quote/to summon)

Réciter (to recite)

形容詞

Citable (quotable)

使い方

frequency

High in academic, legal, and literary contexts.

よくある間違い

Using 'le citation'. → La citation.
Citation is feminine because of its -tion suffix.
Saying 'Je vais citation cet auteur'. → Je vais citer cet auteur.
You must use the verb 'citer', not the noun 'citation'.
Thinking 'citation' means a parking ticket. → Une amende / Un PV.
In French, citation refers to a court summons, not a fine.
Forgetting the guillemets. → « Citation ».
Standard French writing uses guillemets for quotes.
Pronouncing -tion as 'shun'. → Syon.
The nasal French ending is different from the English one.

ヒント

Gender Rule

Remember the -tion rule: 99% of words ending in -tion are feminine. This helps you with 'la citation'.

Noun vs Verb

Don't use 'citation' as a verb. Use 'citer'. 'Je cite' (I quote), not 'Je citation'.

Intellectualism

Using citations in a French conversation makes you sound very educated and 'cultivé'.

Summons

If someone says they got a 'citation', don't congratulate them—they might be going to court!

Guillemets

Always use « » for your citations in French writing. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.

Nasal Endings

Focus on the 'on' sound. It should be nasal and not involve the tongue touching the roof of the mouth.

Plagiarism

In France, 'le devoir de citation' is taken very seriously. Always credit your sources.

Honors

A 'citation à l'ordre de l'armée' is often accompanied by a medal like the 'Croix de Guerre'.

Epigraphs

Look for a citation at the very beginning of French novels. This is called an 'épigraphe'.

Inspiration

Search for #citation on Instagram to find beautiful French quotes to practice your reading.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of a 'City' (Ci-) where everyone 'Talks' (-ta-) in 'Quotes' (-tion). Citation!

視覚的連想

Imagine a pair of large, golden guillemets (« ») holding a precious sentence.

Word Web

Citer Livre Tribunal Auteur Guillemets Source Honneur Mémoire

チャレンジ

Try to find one 'citation' from a French song and write it down with its author today.

語源

From the Latin 'citatio', which comes from the verb 'citare', meaning 'to set in motion', 'to summon', or 'to call'.

元の意味： The original meaning in Latin was primarily legal—a summons to appear before a court.

Romance (Latin-based)

文化的な背景

Be careful when quoting historical figures, as some citations may be controversial or taken out of context in modern debates.

English speakers use 'quote' more often than 'citation' in casual speech, whereas French speakers use 'citation' for both casual and formal contexts.

Le Petit Larousse des Citations (a classic reference book) Citations de Napoléon Bonaparte Les Maximes de La Rochefoucauld (often treated as citations)

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Academic Writing

Citer ses sources
Une citation directe
L'appel de citation
La note de bas de page

Legal Procedures

Citation à comparaître
Signifier une citation
Citation en justice
Recevoir une citation

Military Honors

Citation à l'ordre
Obtenir une citation
Citation pour bravoure
Lecture de la citation

Social Media

Citation inspirante
Citation du jour
Partager une citation
Chercher une citation

Literary Discussion

Commenter une citation
Une citation marquante
L'usage de la citation
Une citation d'ouverture

会話のきっかけ

"Quelle est ta citation préférée dans la littérature française ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses que les citations sur Instagram sont vraiment utiles ?"

"As-tu déjà dû faire des citations complexes pour un travail à l'école ?"

"Connais-tu une citation célèbre d'un film que tu aimes beaucoup ?"

"Que penses-tu des gens qui utilisent trop de citations quand ils parlent ?"

日記のテーマ

Écrivez sur une citation qui a changé votre façon de penser à la vie.

Imaginez que vous recevez une citation à comparaître. Racontez l'histoire.

Faites une liste de cinq citations que vous aimeriez voir sur les murs de votre ville.

Expliquez pourquoi, selon vous, il est important de donner une citation quand on écrit un article.

Décrivez une situation où une citation célèbre a été mal utilisée par quelqu'un.

よくある質問

10 問

It is always feminine: 'la citation' or 'une citation'. All French words ending in -tion are feminine.

You use the verb 'citer'. For example, 'Il cite souvent Shakespeare.' You can also say 'faire une citation'.

No. In French, a traffic ticket is 'un procès-verbal' or 'une amende'. 'Citation' means a summons to court.

They are called 'guillemets' and look like this: « ».

Yes, in a military context, 'une citation' is a formal commendation for an act of bravery.

It is a quote that is wrongly attributed to someone who never actually said or wrote it.

You insert the quote in guillemets and provide the author's name, often using 'selon' or 'd'après'.

It is a legal procedure where a person is called directly to appear before a criminal court without a preliminary investigation.

Yes, it is very common in schools, in the news, and on social media for inspirational purposes.

Yes, you can say 'une citation de cette chanson'.

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