Definition
To speak or talk — to use words to communicate with someone.
Example
Elle parle français avec ses amis chaque jour.
Show translation
She speaks French with her friends every day.
Etymology
From Old French *parler*, derived from Medieval Latin *parabolare* ("to speak in parables, to converse"), itself from Latin *parabola* ("comparison, parable"), borrowed from Greek *παραβολή* (parabolē, "comparison, analogy"). The semantic shift from "speak in parables" to simply "speak" happened in Vulgar Latin and early Romance.
Cultural note
*Parler* is the all-purpose verb for talking in French. Note the key idiomatic distinction: *parler à* means "to talk TO someone" (parler à Marie), while *parler de* means "to talk ABOUT something" (parler de la météo). English speakers often confuse these prepositions. Also note *parler* vs. *dire* (to say) vs. *raconter* (to tell/narrate) — French uses these three verbs where English often just uses "tell."