réaliste

realistic

adjective ray-ah-LEEST Rare

Also means

realist

Usage Note

Réaliste is invariable in gender — un artiste réaliste, une approche réaliste. As a noun it refers to an adherent of realism in art or philosophy — les réalistes du XIXe siècle. The noun réalisme and the verb réaliser (to realise, to carry out) come from the same root, though réaliser is a false friend with the English 'to realise' (in the sense of becoming aware).

Examples

"Il faut être réaliste sur nos chances."

Natural Translation

We need to be realistic about our chances.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

French False Friends: 25 Faux Amis to Avoid

French false friends look like English words but mean something else: actuellement is not actually, sensible means sensitive. Here are 25 faux amis to avoid.

June 3, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Ordering Food in French: Restaurant Phrases That Work

Order food in French with confidence: greet first, say je voudrais not je veux, ask for a carafe d'eau, answer quelle cuisson, and request the bill yourself.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Le, La, Un, Du: French Articles Made Simple

Le, la, un, du, des made simple: pick the French article family by meaning, the form by gender, and dodge the two mistakes English speakers always make.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Filler Words: Euh, Bah, Du Coup, Quoi

French filler words like euh, bah, du coup, and quoi make you sound fluent, not lazy. Learn what each one does, where it goes, and how to use them naturally.

June 4, 2026 6 min read