rien à voir

ByFast French

meaning

Rien à voir means “nothing to do with” or “not related.”
It shows that two things are separate, not connected, or not alike.

usage

Use it when someone thinks two things are linked but they are not.
Use it to change the subject or to reject a comparison.

The full form is il n’y a rien à voir, but spoken French drops the il n’y a.
The phrase stays the same for all subjects.

examples

  • Ce film est bizarre, mais rien à voir avec l’horreur.
    “This film is strange, but it has nothing to do with horror.”
  • Tu compares le vin français et le vin chilien ? Rien à voir.
    “You are comparing French wine and Chilean wine? No relation.”
  • Son nouveau travail est mieux payé. Rien à voir avec l’ancien.
    “His new job pays better. Nothing like the old one.”
  • J’aime ce restaurant. Mais rien à voir avec le prix.
    “I like this restaurant. But it has nothing to do with the price.”
  • On parle de politique ? – Non, rien à voir.
    “Are we talking politics? – No, not at all.”
  • Cette voiture rapide ? Rien à voir avec la mienne.
    “That fast car? Nothing like mine.”

synonyms

  • pas du même ordre – “not in the same league”
  • sans rapport – “without connection”
  • différent – “different”
  • ça n’a rien à voir – longer but same meaning
  • aucun lien – “no link”

In casual speech: rien à foutre means “nothing to do with it” but with a rude tone. Avoid it in polite company.

summary

Rien à voir says two things are not connected.
It works for comparisons, misunderstandings, or changing topics.
It is common in everyday French, spoken and written.

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