A2 noun 중립 3분 분량

raison

/ʁɛ.zɔ̃/

Overview

The French word 'raison' is a fascinating and multifaceted term, stemming from the Latin 'rationem' (accusative of 'ratio'), which implies computation, reason, or relationship. Its primary meanings in French revolve around 'reason' and 'right,' but its usage extends far beyond these simple translations, touching upon philosophy, logic, justification, and even sanity.

Core Meanings and Nuances:

  1. 1Reason (as in faculty of thought/logic): This is perhaps the most fundamental meaning. 'La raison' refers to the human faculty for thinking, understanding, and forming judgments logically. It's often contrasted with emotion or instinct. For example, 'L'homme est un être de raison' (Man is a creature of reason). In philosophical contexts, it's central to discussions about rationality and enlightenment.
  1. 1Reason (as in cause/motive/explanation): When asking 'Pourquoi?' (Why?), the answer often involves 'la raison.' It denotes the cause, motive, or explanation for an event, action, or belief. 'Quelle est la raison de votre visite?' (What is the reason for your visit?). 'Il a de bonnes raisons de refuser' (He has good reasons to refuse).
  1. 1Right/Justification: This meaning is evident in expressions like 'avoir raison' (to be right). It implies being correct in one's judgment or having a valid justification for an action or statement. 'Vous avez raison, c'est une excellente idée' (You are right, it's an excellent idea). 'Il n'a pas raison de se plaindre' (He has no right/reason to complain).
  1. 1Sanity/Sound Mind: In phrases like 'perdre la raison' (to lose one's mind/sanity), 'raison' signifies mental soundness or sanity. It's about maintaining one's cognitive faculties intact. 'Il a failli perdre la raison après l'accident' (He almost lost his mind after the accident).
  1. 1Sense/Purpose: 'La raison d'être' literally translates to 'the reason for being' and refers to the fundamental purpose or justification for something's existence. 'Quel est la raison d'être de cette entreprise?' (What is the purpose of this company?).

Common Expressions and Their Meanings:

  • Avoir raison: To be right.
  • Donner raison à quelqu'un: To agree with someone, to concede that someone is right.
  • Donner sa raison: To give one's reason/explanation.
  • Rendre raison de quelque chose: To explain something, to account for something.
  • Avoir de la raison: To be sensible, reasonable.
  • Perdre la raison: To lose one's mind/sanity.
  • Parler raison: To speak reasonably.
  • À raison de: At a rate of, in proportion to.
  • En raison de: Due to, because of (more formal than 'à cause de').
  • La raison d'État: Reason of state (a political doctrine).
  • La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure: The law of the jungle (literally, 'the reason of the strongest is always the best').

Grammatical Notes:

  • 'Raison' is a feminine noun: 'la raison,' 'une raison.'
  • It often takes the preposition 'de' when followed by an infinitive or a noun to indicate the reason for something (e.g., 'la raison de partir,' 'la raison de mon bonheur').

Understanding 'raison' requires appreciating its versatility. It's not just a word but a concept deeply embedded in French thought and language, encompassing intellectual capacity, causality, correctness, and mental well-being.

자주 쓰는 조합

avoir raison
donner raison à quelqu'un
perdre la raison
à juste raison
en raison de
raison d'être
raison sociale
raison pour laquelle

자주 혼동되는 단어

raison w

80+ WORDS

문법 패턴

p1 p2 p3

사용법

사용 참고사항

'Raison' is a versatile feminine noun in French, most commonly translating to 'reason' or 'right.' When referring to the faculty of reason or logical thought, it's typically used in the singular, often with the definite article 'la' (e.g., 'la raison humaine' - human reason). To express 'being right,' the common idiom is 'avoir raison' (literally, 'to have reason'), and it is never 'être juste' in this context. When providing a cause or explanation, it can be followed by 'de' or 'pour' (e.g., 'la raison de son départ' - the reason for his departure). It can also denote a 'motive' or 'cause' for an action. Be mindful of its use in expressions like 'à raison de' (at a rate of) or 'en raison de' (due to), which introduce proportionality or causality.


자주 하는 실수

A common mistake is confusing 'raison' with 'cause'. While both can relate to why something happens, 'raison' often implies a more deliberate or logical explanation, whereas 'cause' can be more direct and factual. For example, 'la raison pour laquelle...' (the reason why...) versus 'la cause de l'accident' (the cause of the accident). Another common error is using the masculine article 'le' instead of the feminine 'la' as 'raison' is a feminine noun.

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Cognate

The English word 'reason' is a cognate of 'raison'.

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Usage Note

'Raison' is feminine. Remember to use feminine articles and adjectives with it.

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Common Phrases

Mastering phrases like 'avoir raison' and 'en raison de' is key to using 'raison' naturally.

어원

The French word 'raison' originates from the Latin word 'rationem', which is the accusative singular of 'ratio'. 'Ratio' in Latin had several meanings, including 'reckoning', 'account', 'calculation', 'computation', 'system', 'theory', 'reason', 'judgment', 'understanding', and 'ground'. Tracing further back, 'ratio' is derived from the past participle stem of the Latin verb 'reor', 'reri', which meant 'to reckon', 'to calculate', 'to think', 'to judge'. The root of 'reor' is believed to be Proto-Italic '*razāō', which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root '*h₂reh₁-', meaning 'to reason', 'to count'. Over time, as Latin evolved into Old French, 'rationem' transformed into 'raisun' or 'raison'. During this period, the word retained and developed senses related to intellect, justification, and correctness. It was used to denote the faculty of thinking, the cause or motive for an action, and the state of being right or just. By the Middle French period and into Modern French, 'raison' solidified its primary meanings: 'reason' (as in the faculty of intellect or a cause/justification) and 'right' (as in correctness or entitlement). The shift from a more numerical or accounting sense in Latin to a primarily cognitive and ethical sense in French is a key aspect of its semantic development. Several English words are cognates of 'raison', reflecting their shared Latin origin. Examples include 'reason' (directly borrowed from French), 'ratio', 'ration', 'rational', and 'rate'. This demonstrates the enduring influence of the Latin root on various European languages.

문화적 맥락

The French word 'raison' holds significant cultural weight, deeply embedded in French philosophy and everyday expression. It often appears in contexts emphasizing logic, rationality, and good judgment, reflecting a cultural value placed on intellectual thought and clarity. Phrases like 'avoir raison' (to be right) or 'donner raison à' (to agree with someone) highlight its association with correctness and validation. Conversely, 'perdre la raison' (to lose one's mind) or 'sans raison' (without reason/for no reason) demonstrate its integral role in defining states of sanity and justification. It's also central to the Enlightenment concept of 'la Raison,' representing human intellect as the primary source of authority and legitimacy, which continues to influence French intellectual traditions and public discourse.

암기 팁

The word 'raison' sounds a bit like 'reason' in English. Think of 'raisins' as a snack that gives you energy and helps you think clearly, hence, 'reason'.

자주 묻는 질문

4 질문

The primary meanings of 'raison' in French are 'reason' and 'right.' It can refer to the faculty of thinking, understanding, and forming judgments, or to a justification, motive, or cause for an action or belief. In the sense of 'right,' it often implies what is just, correct, or reasonable.

'Raison' appears in many common French expressions. For example, 'avoir raison' means 'to be right,' while 'donner raison à quelqu'un' means 'to agree with someone' or 'to prove someone right.' 'Pour cette raison' translates to 'for this reason,' and 'à raison de' means 'at a rate of' or 'on account of.' Another notable expression is 'perdre la raison,' which means 'to lose one's mind' or 'to go mad.'

Yes, 'raison' carries several nuances. While often referring to logical thought, it can also imply a sense of sanity or mental stability, as seen in 'perdre la raison.' When used in the plural, 'les raisons,' it specifically refers to reasons or justifications. It can also denote a certain wisdom or good judgment, such as in the phrase 'la voix de la raison,' meaning 'the voice of reason.' The context is crucial for understanding the precise nuance.

The French word 'raison' originates from the Latin word 'ratio,' which had a broad range of meanings including 'reckoning,' 'calculation,' 'account,' 'reason,' 'understanding,' and 'proportion.' Over time, 'ratio' evolved into 'raison' in Old French, retaining and further developing its semantic scope to encompass both the faculty of reason and the justification for something. Its etymology highlights the deep connection between logical thought and proportionality.

셀프 테스트

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Il n'y a aucune ______ de douter de son honnêteté.

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Tu as tout à fait ______, c'est une excellente idée.

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Perdre la ______ peut arriver quand on est sous beaucoup de stress.

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