French translation of background is 
arrière-plan

Meaning of "background" in English

The word "background" refers to the part of a scene, image, or view that is the furthest from the observer, often providing context or support to the main subject. In a broader sense, it can also refer to a person's experience, knowledge, or cultural and familial history that shapes their perspectives and behavior. Additionally, it is used to describe the setting or circumstances surrounding an event or condition. In art and photography, the background contrasts with the foreground, drawing attention to the central features.

Meaning of "arrière-plan" in French

The term "arrière-plan" in French translates directly to "background" in English and holds a similar range of meanings. It is commonly used to describe the part of an image or picture that appears furthest from the viewer, setting the stage for the central theme or subject. Beyond this visual sense, "arrière-plan" can also imply the underlying circumstances, history, or environment that influence or contextualize an action or event. It captures both the literal and metaphorical contexts behind the main focal point, similar to its English counterpart.

Pronunciation of "background" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈbækˌɡraʊnd/

Pronunciation Variations: In American English, "background" is generally pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable. Some British accents may elongate the vowel sounds slightly in the first part of the word. The pronunciation does not vary significantly across English-speaking regions.

Pronunciation of "arrière-plan" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /aʁ.jɛʁ.plɑ̃/

Pronunciation Variations: Parisian French typically maintains the standard pronunciation of "arrière-plan." In other French-speaking regions, such as in Quebec, the accent may slightly alter the vowel sounds, though the consonant structure remains intact. The "r" is pronounced with a classic French guttural sound.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. The artist focused on the background to enhance the painting's depth.
   (L'artiste s'est concentré sur l'arrière-plan pour améliorer la profondeur du tableau.)

2. Her educational background helped her excel in her career.
   (Son arrière-plan éducatif l'a aidée à exceller dans sa carrière.)

3. The background music added a nice touch to the dinner party.
   (La musique d'arrière-plan a ajouté une belle touche à la soirée.)

4. The photograph's background was filled with vibrant colors.
   (L'arrière-plan de la photographie était rempli de couleurs vibrantes.)

5. We need to understand the background of the issue before proceeding.
   (Nous devons comprendre l'arrière-plan du problème avant de continuer.)

6. The mountain served as a beautiful background to their wedding photos.
   (La montagne a servi de bel arrière-plan à leurs photos de mariage.)

7. Her background in linguistics was evident as she spoke multiple languages fluently.
   (Son arrière-plan en linguistique était évident alors qu'elle parlait couramment plusieurs langues.)

8. The background of the story explained the character's motivations.
   (L'arrière-plan de l'histoire expliquait les motivations du personnage.)

9. They chose a simple background to keep the focus on the subject.
   (Ils ont choisi un arrière-plan simple pour garder l'accent sur le sujet.)

10. His professional background was impressive, spanning over two decades.
    (Son arrière-plan professionnel était impressionnant, couvrant plus de deux décennies.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "background" in English

Synonyms: backdrop, context, setting, environment, history, scenery, surround, framework, milieu, basis.

Antonyms: foreground, forefront, spotlight, emphasis, focus.

Similar Words: perspective, foundation, basis, underpinnings, backdrop.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "arrière-plan" in French

Synonyms: contexte, fond, scène, entourage, toile de fond, cadre, milieu, paysage, panorama, décor.

Antonyms: avant-plan, premier plan, point focal, devant de la scène.

Similar Words: perspective, base, contexte, cadre, infrastructure.

Disclaimer: These examples may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Translate.com, or its company Translate LLC. We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to our team.