être censé

ByFast French

The French phrase “être censé” means “to be supposed.” It is usually followed by a verb in the infinitive. There is no need to use the word “de” or “à” between “être” and “censé.”

The “être” part is usually conjugated in either the present or the imperfect tense.

Note also that “censé” must agree in number and gender with the subject.

  • être censé faire (to be supposed to do)
  • il est censé le faire demain (he is supposed to do it tomorrow)
  • elle était censée le demander (she was supposed to ask for it)
  • ils sont censés savoir (they are supposed to know)
  • les tables sont censées être prêtes (the tables are supposed to be ready)
  • les chiffres sont censés représenter la tendance (the figures are supposed to represent the trend)
  • nul n’est censé ignorer la loi (literally: no one is supposed to be ignorant of the law. Figuratively: ignorance of the law is no excuse).

Don’t confuse “censé” (supposed) with “sensé” (sensible).

Both “censé” and “sensé” sound the same, although their spelling is different. But “sensé” means “sensible.”

  • Quel être sensé sauterait de la tour Eiffel ? (What sensible being would jump from the Eiffel Tower?)
  • Ses propos n’étaient pas sensés (His comments weren’t sensible/What he said wasn’t sensible)

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • mettre en boîte

    ByFast French

    The French idiom “mettre en boîte” means literally “to put in a can” or “to can.” Figuratively however it means “to make fun of someone,” “to annoy,” “to tease,” or “to kid.” The saying dates back to the end of the 19th century, when “to can” meant “to mock” or “to whistle disapprovingly at.” The…

  • take care

    ByFast French

    Translating “Take Care” into French The English phrase “take care” is versatile and can mean different things depending on the context. In French, the translation changes based on its meaning and usage. 1. Take care (when leaving or saying goodbye) When “take care” is used as a farewell, it’s often translated as: These phrases mean…

  • passer au caviar

    ByFast French

    The French idiom “passer au caviar” means literally “to pass to the caviar” or “to switch to the caviar.” This expression comes from Russia. Under the rule of Tsar Nicholas I (1825-1855), censorship was common. In books and journals, areas that had been censored were covered in black ink. This black ink was the same…

  • Tel, Telle, Tels, Telles

    ByFast French

    In French, “tel” and its variations (“telle,” “tels,” “telles”) are used to mean “such” or “such a” in English. They are adjectives that agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. Here’s a simple guide on how to use each form. 1. Tel (masculine singular) Use “tel” when describing a singular masculine noun….

  • tomber des nues

    ByFast French

    The French expression “tomber des nues” translates literally as “to fall from the clouds.” “Les nues” is a feminine plural noun meaning “the clouds” or “the heavens.” It is not used these days, except in a literary sense. The modern word for clouds is “les nuages” and for heavens it is “le ciel” or “le paradis.”…

  • faire voir

    ByFast French

    The French phrase faire voir literally means “to make see.” It combines the verb faire (to make, to do) with voir (to see). Its core idea is causing someone to see something—whether literally, figuratively, or idiomatically. The expression is widely used in both formal and informal French, often with meanings extending beyond its literal sense….