réputation em 30 segundos
- A feminine noun meaning the collective opinion of the public regarding a person, entity, or object's character and quality.
- Commonly used with 'avoir' (to have) and 'se faire' (to build), requiring feminine adjective agreement (e.g., une bonne réputation).
- Carries significant weight in social, professional, and historical contexts, often linked to honor and credibility.
- Distinct from 'notoriété' (fame), as it implies a qualitative evaluation rather than just being widely known.
The French word réputation is a feminine noun that functions almost identically to its English cognate, "reputation." At its core, it refers to the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something. However, in the French linguistic landscape, réputation carries a weight that spans from casual social standing to profound professional credibility. It is the collective judgment of the public or a specific group regarding the character, skills, or quality of an individual, an institution, or even a product. Unlike mere 'fame' (notoriété), which can be neutral, réputation is inherently evaluative—it implies a scale of value ranging from excellent to deplorable.
- Social Standing
- In social contexts, your réputation is what people say about you when you are not in the room. It is built over time through consistent actions and behaviors. In French culture, maintaining one's 'honneur' and réputation has historically been a matter of great importance, often tied to family standing and social etiquette.
Ce restaurant a une excellente réputation pour sa cuisine traditionnelle.
- Professional Credibility
- In the business world, réputation is a form of intangible capital. A company with a 'bonne réputation' can charge more for its services and attract better talent. Conversely, a 'mauvaise réputation' can lead to bankruptcy or social ostracization. Phrases like 'réputation de marque' (brand reputation) are common in marketing and corporate discourse.
When do people use it? You will hear it in news reports concerning scandals (une réputation entachée), in casual conversations about a new neighbor (il a une drôle de réputation), or in academic discussions about sociology and psychology. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between the individual and the collective. In the digital age, the term e-réputation has become increasingly prevalent, referring to how a person or brand is perceived online through social media and search engine results. This modern evolution shows that the concept of réputation remains central to human interaction, even as the mediums of interaction change.
Il a sacrifié sa réputation pour défendre ses principes.
- Historical Context
- Historically, a man's réputation was his bond. In 17th-century French literature, particularly in the works of Molière or Corneille, the preservation of one's réputation was a frequent plot driver, often leading to duels or complex social maneuvers.
Sa réputation d'honnête homme n'est plus à faire.
Cette ville a la réputation d'être très accueillante.
La réputation de l'entreprise a souffert après la crise.
Using réputation correctly in French involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the common verbs it pairs with. Most frequently, it is used with the verb avoir (to have). You might say someone "has a good reputation" or "has a bad reputation." It is also common to use verbs like se faire (to build/make for oneself), ternir (to tarnish), or préserver (to preserve). Each of these verbs helps describe the lifecycle of a reputation—from its creation to its potential downfall.
- With Adjectives
- Because réputation is feminine, adjectives must agree. Common pairings include: une excellente réputation, une mauvaise réputation, une réputation solide, or une réputation douteuse. Notice how the adjective usually follows the noun, though 'excellente' and 'mauvaise' often precede it for emphasis or stylistic flow.
Il s'est bâti une solide réputation dans le domaine de la recherche.
- The Preposition 'De'
- When specifying what the reputation is for, use the preposition de. For example, 'une réputation de sérieux' (a reputation for being serious) or 'une réputation d'expert' (a reputation as an expert). This construction is very productive and allows you to characterize a person's public image precisely.
In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter verbs like jouir de (to enjoy) a reputation. For instance, 'Il jouit d'une réputation internationale.' This suggests a high level of prestige. On the negative side, one might nuire à (harm) someone's reputation. 'Ses mensonges ont nui à sa réputation.' Understanding these collocations is key to moving from a basic B1 level to a more nuanced B2 or C1 level of fluency.
Elle a la réputation d'être une négociatrice redoutable.
- Plural Usage
- While often used in the singular, 'réputations' can be plural when referring to the public standing of multiple entities. 'Les réputations de ces deux entreprises sont très différentes.'
Le scandale a détruit plusieurs réputations en une seule nuit.
Il tient à sa réputation plus qu'à son argent.
Sa réputation le précède partout où il va.
The word réputation is ubiquitous in French life, appearing in diverse settings from the boardroom to the bistro. In professional environments, you will hear it during performance reviews, hiring discussions, or when evaluating potential partners. A manager might say, "Nous devons protéger notre réputation de fiabilité." In this context, it is treated as a strategic asset. You will also find it in the financial press, where the réputation of a CEO can directly influence stock prices.
- News and Media
- Journalists frequently use the word when discussing public figures. Phrases like 'une réputation entachée par le scandale' (a reputation tainted by scandal) are headlines staples. In political commentary, analysts often discuss how a candidate's réputation for integrity or competence will affect their polling numbers.
La presse a ruiné la réputation du ministre en quelques jours.
- Social Media and the Internet
- In the modern era, e-réputation (or 'réputation numérique') is a major topic of conversation. Influencers, brands, and even private individuals are concerned with how they are perceived online. You might hear someone say, "Je fais attention à ma réputation sur les réseaux sociaux," reflecting the permanent and public nature of digital footprints.
In casual daily life, réputation is used to give recommendations. If you ask a friend for a good doctor, they might respond, "Va voir le Dr. Martin, il a une très bonne réputation." It serves as a social shortcut—a way to convey trust without needing detailed evidence. Conversely, it is used in warnings: "Fais attention à ce quartier, il a une mauvaise réputation le soir." Here, it functions as a collective warning system based on shared experiences.
Ce vin a la réputation d'être le meilleur de la région.
- Legal and Formal Use
- In legal terms, 'atteinte à la réputation' (damage to reputation) is a serious matter, often linked to defamation (diffamation) laws. Lawyers argue that a person's réputation is a personal right that must be protected from false claims.
L'avocat a plaidé que la réputation de son client était sans tache.
Elle s'inquiète de sa réputation au sein de l'équipe.
La réputation de cette école attire des étudiants du monde entier.
While réputation is a cognate, English speakers often fall into several traps when using it in French. The most common error involves grammatical gender. In English, nouns are neutral; in French, réputation is strictly feminine. Beginners often say 'un bon réputation' instead of the correct 'une bonne réputation.' This mistake is particularly noticeable because the adjectives that usually accompany the word (good, bad, excellent) change significantly in their feminine forms.
- Gender Mismatch
- Always remember: LA réputation. If you use a possessive, it's MA réputation, TA réputation, or SA réputation. Even if referring to a man, you must use 'sa' because the gender of the possessive adjective matches the noun (réputation), not the person who owns it.
Faux: Il a un réputation solide. Correct: Il a une réputation solide.
- Pronunciation Pitfalls
- English speakers often pronounce the final '-tion' as 'shun' (like in 'nation'). In French, this suffix is pronounced /sjɔ̃/, with a clear 's' sound followed by a nasal 'o'. Additionally, the 'u' in the middle of the word (/y/) requires the lips to be rounded as if to whistle, a sound that doesn't exist in English and is often replaced by an 'oo' sound, which is incorrect.
Another mistake is confusing réputation with renommée or notoriété. While they are related, they are not always interchangeable. Notoriété simply means being well-known (fame), regardless of whether it is for good or bad reasons. Réputation implies a qualitative judgment. You can have a high notoriété but a very bad réputation. Using 'notoriété' when you mean 'réputation' can lead to confusion about whether you are discussing someone's fame or their character.
Faux: Sa réputation est mondiale (when you mean he is just famous). Correct: Sa renommée est mondiale.
- Preposition Errors
- English speakers often say 'réputation pour' (reputation for). While 'pour' is sometimes used, the more natural French construction is 'réputation de' followed by a noun or infinitive. For example, 'une réputation de voleur' (a reputation for being a thief) rather than 'une réputation pour être un voleur'.
Elle a la réputation d'être ponctuelle (not 'pour être').
Il a ruiné sa réputation par ses propres actes.
Une mauvaise réputation est difficile à effacer.
To truly master the concept of réputation, it helps to understand its synonyms and related terms, each of which carries a specific nuance. While réputation is the general term, you might choose another word depending on whether you want to emphasize fame, prestige, or public image. Exploring these alternatives allows for more precise and sophisticated expression in French.
- Renommée vs. Réputation
- Renommée is more formal and often more positive than réputation. It suggests widespread fame and glory. While you can have a 'mauvaise réputation', you rarely hear 'mauvaise renommée'. Renommée is the 'fame' you achieve through great deeds or talent.
Sa réputation est excellente, mais sa renommée est mondiale.
- Notoriété
- Notoriété refers to the degree to which someone is known. It is a quantitative measure rather than a qualitative one. A criminal might have great notoriété (he is famous/infamous) but a terrible réputation.
Other useful alternatives include prestige, which emphasizes the high status or influence derived from success, and crédit, which refers to the trust or belief people have in someone. For example, 'perdre son crédit' means to lose the trust people had in you, which is a key component of losing your réputation. In informal settings, people might use étiquette (label) to describe a reputation that is hard to shake off, like 'il a une étiquette de paresseux' (he has a label/reputation as a lazy person).
Le prestige de cette université attire les meilleurs chercheurs.
- Considération
- Considération is the esteem or respect in which someone is held. It is closely linked to réputation but is more about the internal feeling of respect others have for you. 'Il jouit d'une grande considération auprès de ses pairs.'
Son crédit auprès de la banque est entamé par ses dettes.
L'image de marque de l'entreprise est sa priorité numéro un.
Il a une réputation de fer que rien ne peut ébranler.
Exemplos por nível
Elle a une bonne réputation.
She has a good reputation.
Simple subject + verb 'avoir' + feminine adjective + noun.
Le restaurant a une mauvaise réputation.
The restaurant has a bad reputation.
Using 'une mauvaise' to modify the feminine noun 'réputation'.
C'est une grande réputation.
It is a big reputation.
Adjective 'grande' precedes the noun for emphasis.
Ma réputation est importante.
My reputation is important.
Possessive adjective 'ma' (feminine).
Il a une réputation d'ami.
He has a reputation as a friend.
Using 'de' to specify the type of reputation.
La réputation de l'école est excellente.
The school's reputation is excellent.
Genitive construction using 'de' + 'l'article'.
Tu as une réputation de sérieux.
You have a reputation for being serious.
Noun 'sérieux' used after 'de' to describe the trait.
Ils ont une petite réputation.
They have a small reputation.
Adjective 'petite' used to describe scale.
Ce médecin a la réputation d'être très calme.
This doctor has a reputation for being very calm.
Structure 'avoir la réputation de' + infinitive.
Elle veut se faire une réputation dans le sport.
She wants to make a reputation for herself in sports.
Reflexive verb 'se faire' meaning to build for oneself.
Il a perdu sa réputation à cause d'un mensonge.
He lost his reputation because of a lie.
Verb 'perdre' (to lose) in the passé composé.
La ville a une réputation de beauté.
The city has a reputation for beauty.
Noun 'beauté' used after 'de'.
Nous protégeons la réputation de notre famille.
We are protecting our family's reputation.
Verb 'protéger' (to protect) in the present tense.
C'est un hôtel avec une réputation mondiale.
It's a hotel with a worldwide reputation.
Adjective 'mondiale' (feminine) follows the noun.
Elle a une réputation de travailleuse.
She has a reputation as a hard worker.
Feminine noun 'travailleuse' used after 'de'.
Il ne faut pas gâcher sa réputation.
One must not ruin one's reputation.
Verb 'gâcher' (to waste/ruin) used with 'il ne faut pas'.
L'entreprise s'est bâti une réputation de fiabilité au fil des ans.
The company built a reputation for reliability over the years.
Reflexive verb 'se bâtir' in the passé composé.
Sa réputation de négociateur l'aide dans son travail.
His reputation as a negotiator helps him in his work.
Subject is the noun phrase 'Sa réputation de négociateur'.
Il est difficile de changer une mauvaise réputation.
It is difficult to change a bad reputation.
Impersonal 'il est' + adjective + 'de' + infinitive.
Elle a la réputation d'être la meilleure de sa classe.
She has the reputation of being the best in her class.
Superlative 'la meilleure' used within the phrase.
Le scandale a sérieusement nui à sa réputation.
The scandal seriously harmed his reputation.
Verb 'nuire' takes the preposition 'à'.
Cette marque jouit d'une excellente réputation auprès des jeunes.
This brand enjoys an excellent reputation among young people.
Verb 'jouir' takes the preposition 'de'.
Il tient beaucoup à sa réputation d'honnête homme.
He cares a lot about his reputation as an honest man.
Expression 'tenir à' (to care about/value).
La réputation du produit a été confirmée par les tests.
The product's reputation was confirmed by the tests.
Passive voice 'a été confirmée'.
Une réputation se gagne lentement mais se perd très vite.
A reputation is earned slowly but lost very quickly.
Passive reflexive 'se gagne' and 'se perd'.
Il a dû démissionner pour préserver la réputation de l'institution.
He had to resign to preserve the institution's reputation.
Verb 'devoir' in the passé composé + 'pour' + infinitive.
Sa réputation a été entachée par des rumeurs infondées.
His reputation was tainted by unfounded rumors.
Past participle 'entachée' (feminine agreement).
Elle a su asseoir sa réputation d'experte internationale.
She managed to establish her reputation as an international expert.
Verb 'asseoir' used figuratively to mean establish.
La réputation numérique est devenue un enjeu majeur pour les entreprises.
Digital reputation has become a major issue for companies.
Compound noun 'réputation numérique'.
Il a toujours agi conformément à sa réputation de générosité.
He has always acted in accordance with his reputation for generosity.
Adverbial phrase 'conformément à'.
Le succès de ce film repose sur sa réputation d'originalité.
The success of this film rests on its reputation for originality.
Verb 'reposer sur' (to rest/depend on).
On ne peut pas nier la réputation de ce grand savant.
One cannot deny the reputation of this great scholar.
Infinitive 'nier' (to deny) after 'peut'.
Sa réputation, bien qu'établie, reste fragile face à la critique.
His reputation, although established, remains fragile in the face of criticism.
Concession clause 'bien qu'établie' with past participle agreement.
Il a fait fi de sa réputation pour suivre ses convictions les plus profondes.
He disregarded his reputation to follow his deepest convictions.
Idiom 'faire fi de' (to disregard/scorn).
La réputation d'un auteur survit souvent à son œuvre physique.
An author's reputation often outlives their physical work.
Verb 'survivre' takes the preposition 'à'.
Elle jouit d'une réputation sans tache au sein de la magistrature.
She enjoys a spotless reputation within the judiciary.
Prepositional phrase 'sans tache' (spotless/stainless).
La gestion de la réputation est devenue une discipline à part entière.
Reputation management has become a discipline in its own right.
Phrase 'à part entière' (fully-fledged/in its own right).
Leur réputation est le fruit de décennies de travail acharné.
Their reputation is the fruit of decades of hard work.
Metaphorical use of 'le fruit de'.
Il a été victime d'une atteinte grave à sa réputation.
He was the victim of a serious blow to his reputation.
Legal/Formal term 'atteinte à la réputation'.
Sa réputation de visionnaire n'est nullement usurpée.
His reputation as a visionary is by no means unearned.
Adverb 'nullement' (not at all) and participle 'usurpée'.
La réputation n'est qu'un écho lointain de la réalité de l'être.
Reputation is but a distant echo of the reality of being.
Restrictive 'ne... que' and philosophical contrast.
Il s'évertue à restaurer une réputation jadis prestigieuse.
He is striving to restore a once-prestigious reputation.
Verb 's'évertuer à' (to strive to) and adverb 'jadis' (formerly).
L'aléa de la réputation réside dans la versatilité de l'opinion publique.
The hazard of reputation lies in the versatility of public opinion.
Abstract noun 'aléa' (hazard/risk) and 'réside dans'.
Sa réputation est devenue un fardeau qu'il ne peut plus porter.
His reputation has become a burden that he can no longer carry.
Relative clause 'qu'il ne peut plus porter'.
L'œuvre transcende la réputation éphémère de son créateur.
The work transcends the ephemeral reputation of its creator.
Verb 'transcender' and adjective 'éphémère'.
Il a sacrifié son repos pour asseoir une réputation pérenne.
He sacrificed his rest to establish a lasting reputation.
Adjective 'pérenne' (durable/lasting).
La réputation est le miroir déformant de l'âme aux yeux du monde.
Reputation is the distorted mirror of the soul in the eyes of the world.
Metaphorical 'miroir déformant'.
On ne saurait surestimer l'importance de la réputation en diplomatie.
One cannot overestimate the importance of reputation in diplomacy.
Formal 'on ne saurait' + infinitive.
Summary
- A feminine noun meaning the collective opinion of the public regarding a person, entity, or object's character and quality.
- Commonly used with 'avoir' (to have) and 'se faire' (to build), requiring feminine adjective agreement (e.g., une bonne réputation).
- Carries significant weight in social, professional, and historical contexts, often linked to honor and credibility.
- Distinct from 'notoriété' (fame), as it implies a qualitative evaluation rather than just being widely known.
Exemplo
Il a une excellente réputation dans son domaine.
Conteúdo relacionado
Gramática relacionada
Frases relacionadas
Mais palavras de business
à crédit
B1With deferred payment; on credit.
à défaut de
B1In the absence of; for lack of.
à jour
A2Em dia; atualizado. Meus pagamentos estão em dia.
à la fois...et
B1Both...and.
à la suite de
B1Following; as a result of.
à l'exception de
B1Esta locução significa 'com exceção de' ou 'exceto'. É utilizada para marcar uma exclusão de forma precisa e formal.
à l'export
B1Relativo à venda ou ao envio de mercadorias para países estrangeiros.
à l'import
B1For import; relating to importing.
à l'ordre de
B1Payable to; specifies the beneficiary of a payment (e.g., on a check).
à mon avis
A2Na minha opinião; a meu ver. Usado para introduzir um ponto de vista pessoal ou julgamento.
