reportage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Journalistic, Academic
Quick answer
What does “reportage” mean?
The reporting or description of news events, especially in an in-depth, journalistic style.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The reporting or description of news events, especially in an in-depth, journalistic style.
Can refer to a genre of literature that presents factual information in a narrative style, or to the act or style of reporting itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The word itself is borrowed from French and used similarly in both varieties. Minor difference: some British style guides may note it as a more literary/journalistic term.
Connotations
Connotes a sophisticated, in-depth, or literary style of journalism.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both varieties; more common in written contexts (journalism, media studies, literary criticism) than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “reportage” in a Sentence
reportage on/of [TOPIC/EVENT]reportage from [PLACE]reportage by [JOURNALIST]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reportage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The documentary aimed to reportage the conditions in a novelistic manner.
- (Note: verb use is extremely rare and often considered non-standard/noun used as verb)
American English
- He attempted to reportage the trial with unprecedented depth. (Rare/Non-standard)
adverb
British English
- The events were described reportage-style. (Phrasal use)
- (Pure adverbial form 'reportage-ly' does not exist.)
American English
- He writes very reportage, focusing on raw detail. (Colloquial/adjectival use in adverb position)
adjective
British English
- She has a reportage style of photography.
- The reportage approach made the article compelling.
American English
- His reportage skills are exceptional.
- A reportage piece on the crisis won the award.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in media/communications businesses discussing content style.
Academic
Common in Media Studies, Journalism, and Literary Criticism to describe a genre or style.
Everyday
Very rare. Most people would say 'news coverage' or 'reporting'.
Technical
Used in journalism to specify a narrative, descriptive style of factual reporting.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reportage”
- Using it interchangeably with any 'report' (e.g., 'I read his financial reportage' is incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'reportege' or 'reportaje' (Spanish influence).
- Pronouncing it as /rɪˈpɔːtɪdʒ/ (like 'report' with '-age').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'report' is a general term for a spoken or written account. 'Reportage' specifically refers to the journalistic activity or genre of reporting events in a detailed, often narrative style.
Standard dictionaries list it only as a noun. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to reportage an event') is non-standard and very rare. Use 'to report on' instead.
'Coverage' is broader and more neutral, meaning the extent to which something is reported. 'Reportage' emphasizes the manner or style of reporting, often implying depth, narrative, and a degree of literary quality.
No, it is not common in everyday conversation. It is primarily used in formal, journalistic, or academic contexts. Most people would use 'reporting', 'coverage', or 'news' in daily talk.
The reporting or description of news events, especially in an in-depth, journalistic style.
Reportage is usually formal, journalistic, academic in register.
Reportage: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛpɔːˈtɑːʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛpərˈtɑːʒ/ or /rəˈpɔːrtɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A piece of reportage”
- “In the best tradition of reportage”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a French REPORTER (journalist) writing a long, detailed PAGE: Reportage.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNALISM IS A NARRATIVE ART / FACTUAL STORYTELLING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'reportage' LEAST likely to be used?