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"purpose, aim" in seven languages

Meaningpurpose, aim

Spanish

propósito

/pɾoˈposito/

masc.learned

A propósito means both 'on purpose' and 'by the way'.

French

but

/byt/

masc.other source · Old French but 'target', of uncertain origin

The t is often silent: [by].

Italian

scopo

/ˈskɔpo/

masc.other source · Late Latin SCOPUS 'target', from Greek skopós

lo scopo

Portuguese

propósito

/pɾoˈpɔzitu/

masc.learned

Romanian

scop

/skop/

neut.other source · Greek skopós 'target'

Catalan

propòsit

/pɾuˈpɔzit/

masc.learned

English

purpose

/ˈpɝpəs/

from Latin/French · Old French porpos, from the verb behind Latin PROPOSITUM (PRŌPŌNERE 'to set before')

English → Italianpurpose, aimscopoNot relatedDifferent sources — learn this one fresh. But English has relatives: propose, proposition.What English and Italian share

The Latin ancestor

PROPOSITUM‘what is set before oneself, intention’

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

The story

Spanish and English set an aim 'before' themselves; French and Italian aim at a target (but, scopo — the Greek word behind English scope).

English relatives: propose, proposition

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In a sentence

  • es¿Cuál es el propósito de esta reunión?
  • frQuel est le but de cette réunion ?
  • itQual è lo scopo di questa riunione?
  • ptQual é o propósito desta reunião?
  • roCare este scopul acestei ședințe?
  • caQuin és el propòsit d'aquesta reunió?
  • enWhat is the purpose of this meeting?

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