Also means
to make out
Usage Note
Discerner means to perceive or distinguish something, whether visually or intellectually: discerner la vérité du mensonge — 'to tell truth from lies'. The related noun discernement (judgment, discernment) is common in formal writing. The adjective discernable describes something that can be perceived.
Examples
"On discerne à peine la côte dans le brouillard."
Natural Translation
The coast can barely be made out in the fog.
Literal Translation
One discerns barely the coast in the fog.

Free starter pack
Building your French vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore French by topic