important

adjective an-por-TAHN Common

Also means

significant

Usage Note

Important is a false friend for English speakers in one sense: in French it can also mean 'large' or 'substantial' (e.g. une somme importante means a large sum, not just an important one). The feminine form is importante. You will often see it in formal registers where English might prefer 'significant' or 'major'.

Examples

"C'est une décision très importante."

Natural Translation

It is a very important decision.

Literal Translation

It-is a decision very important

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