Vocabulary: Precision & Nuance
C1 Lesson 2: Choosing the 'Mot Juste'
Nuance in Action: Exploring Synonyms 🎨
At the C1 level, the goal is not just knowing more words, but choosing words with greater precision. This is the art of selecting "le mot juste"—a French phrase meaning "the exact right word." Let's explore some examples.
The Many Ways to "Walk"
- Stroll: A slow, relaxed, pleasurable walk.
"We decided to stroll along the Siem Reap river at sunset." - Wander: To walk aimlessly, without a specific destination, often to explore.
"She spent the afternoon wandering through the narrow market alleys." - Trek: A long, arduous journey on foot, often in a difficult environment.
"The group had to trek for two hours through dense forest to reach the remote temple." - Trudge: To walk slowly and heavily, with great effort, due to exhaustion or difficult conditions.
"After exploring Angkor Thom all day, the tourists trudged back to their bus."
The Many Ways to "Look"
- Glance (quick, informal): "She glanced at her watch, realizing she was late."
- Gaze (long, admiring): "He gazed at the intricate carvings of Banteay Srei."
- Stare (long, intense, sometimes rude): "It is impolite to stare at people."
- Examine (careful, detailed): "The archaeologist carefully examined the ancient pottery shard."
- Scrutinize (extremely critical and detailed): "The board will scrutinize every detail of the financial report."
How to Find Your 'Mot Juste' 💡
Tips for Developing Precision
Developing this skill requires active practice. When you write, challenge your own word choices.
- Question your words: If you write "The food was nice," ask yourself: "How was it nice? Was it delicious? flavorful? satisfying? exquisite?"
- Use a Thesaurus Wisely: Don't just pick the first synonym. Read the definitions and example sentences to understand their specific connotations.
- Read Widely: The best way to develop a feel for nuanced vocabulary is to read high-quality writing and notice the precise words skilled writers choose.
Practice Your Precision 🎯
Quiz: Precision is Key
For each situation, choose the word with the most precise meaning.
- After the marathon, the runner didn't just walk, he _______ across the finish line, completely exhausted. (strolled / trudged)
→ trudged (This best conveys exhaustion.) - The child _______ at the amazing circus performer with wide, wondering eyes. (glanced / gazed)
→ gazed (This implies a long, steady, admiring look.) - To describe an old, abandoned building that is falling apart, the best adjective is _______. (ancient / historic / decrepit)
→ decrepit ('Decrepit' specifically means old and in poor condition.) - A strong, unpleasant smell from the garbage bins is a _______. (fragrance / stench)
→ stench (This has a strong negative connotation.)
Your Vocabulary Mission ⭐
Elevate the Language
Improve the following paragraph by replacing the bold words with more precise and evocative vocabulary from the suggestions list.
"We went to a temple near Siem Reap. It was very old. We walked around the quiet grounds. A monk looked at us and gave a nice smile. The feeling of the place was very good."
Suggestions:
ancient, serene, glanced, warm, strolled, peaceful, historic
Click to see an example answer
"We strolled around the grounds of an ancient temple near Siem Reap. The atmosphere was incredibly serene. A monk glanced at us and gave a warm smile, adding to the peaceful feeling of the place."
Key Vocabulary
- Le Mot Juste The exact, most appropriate word or expression for a specific situation.
- Nuance A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
- Diction The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
- Connotation The emotional or cultural feeling that a word suggests, beyond its literal meaning.