dictate

déterminer, imposer

Fixer ce qui doit arriver ou ce qui est possible.

En anglais simple : If something does this, it decides what must happen or what is possible.

• Cost dictates our choice of materials.
• The room's size dictated the seating plan.
• Their needs will dictate how we spend the money.

Comment l'utiliser : dictate that… (The weather dictated that we stay indoors.)

Synonymes : determine, govern

Expressions courantes : dictate the pace, dictate the outcome, dictate our choice

dicter

Dire des mots à voix haute pour que quelqu’un les écrive.

En anglais simple : To say words aloud so someone else can write them down.

• Please dictate the address slowly.
• She dictated a letter to her assistant.
• Can I dictate my notes into your phone?

Comment l'utiliser : dictate something to someone (He dictated a short message to his assistant.)

Expressions courantes : dictate a letter, dictate some notes, dictate a message

ordonner, imposer

Dire à quelqu’un ce qu’il doit faire en exigeant qu’il obéisse.

En anglais simple : To tell someone what to do, expecting them to obey.

• You cannot dictate my every move.
• The winners dictated the terms of peace.
• Stop dictating to everyone!

Comment l'utiliser : dictate to someone (She refuses to let her brother dictate to her.); dictate what someone does (You cannot dictate what your neighbors do.)

Synonymes : command, order, control

Expressions courantes : dictate terms, dictate to someone, dictate the rules

ordre, diktat

Ordre ou règle qui indique ce que l’on doit faire.

En anglais simple : An order or rule that tells you what you must do.

• They refused to obey the king's dictates.
• He followed the dictates of his faith.
• Each new dictate restricted their freedom further.

Comment l'utiliser : the dictates of something (She followed the dictates of her conscience.)

Synonymes : order, command, decree

Expressions courantes : a moral dictate, a royal dictate, a religious dictate