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"example" in seven languages

Meaningexample

Spanish

ejemplo

/eˈxemplo/

masc.learned

Semi-learned; Old Spanish also had enxiemplo.

French

exemple

/ɛgzɑ̃pl/

masc.learned

Reshaped on Latin; the worn-down Old French essample gave English sample.

Italian

esempio

/eˈzɛmpjo/

masc.inherited

Portuguese

exemplo

/eˈzẽplu/

masc.learned

Romanian

exemplu

/eɡˈzemplu/

neut.learned

Catalan

exemple

/əɡˈzemplə/

masc.learned

English

example

/ɪgˈzæmpəl/

from Latin/French · Old French example / Latin EXEMPLUM

English → ItalianexampleesempioCognateSame source — inherited, learned or borrowed. You can recognize it.What English and Italian share

The Latin ancestor

EXEMPLUM‘sample, model (from EXIMERE 'to take out')’

All six sisters descend from it, unless marked otherwise below.

The story

Italian esempio shows the popular route (x → s, pl → pi); Spanish and French rebuilt the word on written Latin. An example is literally a piece 'taken out' to show the rest.

English relatives: exemplary, sample

Learn it

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In a sentence

  • es¿Me puedes dar un ejemplo?
  • frTu peux me donner un exemple ?
  • itMi puoi fare un esempio?
  • ptVocê pode me dar um exemplo?
  • roPoți să-mi dai un exemplu?
  • caEm pots donar un exemple?
  • enCan you give me an example?

More in School & learning

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