Raison d'être (/ n / ʀɛzɔ dɛtʀ) is an idiomatic twist from French, meaning "reason for being" or "reason to exist."

It is the legitimate ground or reason that justifies something, explaining it.

For example, when someone is said to have "his work as his raison d'etre", he implies that he is the motive and foundation of his life. Another example: "For the true creator, his work can only constitute his raison d'être" (that is, the fundamental reason for his existence).

Purists prefer to avoid using this spin. However, it may eventually appear in texts in Spanish, in which case it is transcribed in italics.

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