Phrases

  • half-half

    The English phrase “half-half” or “half and half” can refer to an equal division, a mixture of two things, or a situation where something is shared equally. In French, several expressions can be used, depending on the meaning. Moitié-moitié “Moitié-moitié” is the most common way to say “half and half” in French. It is used…

  • compte tenu

    The French expression compte tenu is a formal prepositional phrase meaning “taking into account,” “considering,” or “in view of.” It introduces a factor or circumstance that affects a situation or decision. The phrase is always followed by de when introducing a noun or noun phrase. Meaning and usage Compte tenu de functions similarly to English…

  • none of your business

    The English expressions “none of your business” and “none of my business” can be translated into French in several ways depending on the level of formality and the tone. French offers both direct, informal equivalents and more polite or neutral alternatives. None of your business The most common informal way to say “none of your…

  • pas vrai ?

    The French expressions pas vrai and c’est pas vrai are common in everyday speech. They are both used to express surprise, disbelief or doubt. While they literally mean “not true” or “it’s not true,” they are often better translated as “no way,” “really?” or “you’re kidding.” These phrases are informal and frequently heard in spoken…

  • allez !

    The French word “allez !” is the imperative form of the verb aller (to go) in the second-person plural (vous). However, its usage extends far beyond a simple command. It can function as an exhortation, a command, or even a casual farewell, depending on context. As an exhortation “Allez !” is often used to encourage…

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    of course

    The English phrase “of course” can be translated into French in several ways, depending on the context. Here are the most common expressions with usage examples and literal translations. Bien sûr Literal meaning: “Well sure” Évidemment Literal meaning: “Evidently” Naturellement Literal meaning: “Naturally” Bien entendu Literal meaning: “Well understood” Mais oui Literal meaning: “But yes”…

  • greetings & farewells

    French culture places great importance on proper greetings and farewells, with different expressions used depending on the time of day, formality level, and relationship between speakers. Here is a comprehensive guide to common French salutations. Standard daytime greetings These greetings are appropriate for most daytime situations: Time-specific greetings French has distinct greetings for different times…

  • pourquoi faire ?

    The phrase pourquoi faire is a common expression in French that translates literally to “why do” or “why make,” but its actual meaning depends on context. It is usually used to ask about the purpose of something, and it often carries a tone of skepticism or doubt. In some contexts, it can sound rhetorical or…

  • on time

    In English, the phrase “on time” can refer to something happening at the expected or scheduled time, without delay. In French, there are two main ways to translate “on time”: à temps and à l’heure. They are not interchangeable. The correct choice depends on the context. À l’heure The phrase à l’heure is used when…