Usage Note
Agent most commonly refers to a police officer ('agent de police') in everyday French, though it also covers a real estate agent (agent immobilier) or a secret agent. In chemistry and administration, it means an agent or factor causing change. It derives ultimately from Latin agere ('to act, to do').
Examples
"L'agent lui a demandé ses papiers."
Natural Translation
The officer asked him for his papers.
Literal Translation
The-officer to-him has asked his papers
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