polir

to polish

verb poh-LEER Rare

Also means

to refine, perfect

Usage Note

Polir covers both literal polishing (polir les chaussures — to shine shoes) and figurative refinement (polir son style — to polish one's writing). The adjective poli also means 'polite', though its etymological link to 'polished' behavior is loose. Related noun: le polissage (polishing, buffing).

Examples

"Il faut polir ce meuble avant de le vendre."

Natural Translation

You need to polish this piece of furniture before selling it.

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