répercussion

Répercussion is a French noun that denotes the consequence or indirect effect of an action, decision, or event. It refers to the chain of outcomes that follows, often extending beyond the immediate target and potentially being unintended or far-reaching. The term emphasizes a ripple-like impact rather than a direct result.

Etymology: The word comes from Old French repercussion, from Latin repercussio, derived from repercutere “to strike back.” It entered French with a sense of rebound or after-effect and has since taken on a predominantly figurative usage.

Usage: Répercussion is common in journalism, social sciences, economics, politics, international relations, and law. It appears in phrases such as les répercussions économiques, les répercussions sociales, or les répercussions d'une réforme. The term often carries a negative or cautionary tone, though it can be neutral or even positive when describing beneficial secondary effects.

Connotations and nuance: Répercussion typically signals indirect, secondary outcomes rather than the primary objective. It can refer to short-term disturbances and longer-term consequences, and it may imply spillover or cascade effects across sectors or regions. In policy debates, discussing répercussions helps analyze the broader implications of a measure.

Other senses: In everyday language, the sense is primarily figurative. In more technical contexts, writers may prefer terms like retombées, effets indirects, or externalités, but the core idea remains: actions trigger responses beyond the immediate scope.