Pratique

Pratique is a French term that functions as both a noun and an adjective, with meanings tied to action, use, and usefulness. It derives from Old French practique, from Latin practicus, and ultimately from Greek praktikos, related to the concept of praxis or practice.

As a noun, la pratique refers to the act of practicing or performing a skill, the routine or fieldwork of ongoing activity, and the application of methods in real settings. It can denote professional routines, such as la pratique médicale (medical practice) or la pratique juridique (legal practice), and the distinction between theoretical knowledge and its application, as in la théorie et la pratique. In sociology and philosophy, the term often contrasts what is done in practice with what is proposed in theory.

As an adjective, pratique describes something useful, convenient, or well-suited to a purpose. A pratique solution or outil pratique is one that meets practical needs, typically emphasizing ease of use, efficiency, or applicability. In everyday language, c’est pratique means “that’s handy.”

In specialized contexts, the word appears in discussions of performance and technique. In music and historical studies, la pratique refers to performance practice—the customary methods and interpretive conventions of a period. In sports, la pratique may describe ongoing training or participation in the activity.

Broader usage recognizes pratique as a bridge between theory and action, between ideas and their real-world implementation. The term remains common in French to discuss daily activities, professional routines, and the practical dimension of knowledge.

See also: Praxis, Practice (general), La pratique (historical or musical context), Practical philosophy.