enough
The English word “enough” can function as an adverb (he works enough), a determiner (enough money), a pronoun (that’s enough), or appear in expressions such as fair enough or oddly enough. French uses several distinct words and structures for these meanings, chiefly assez, suffisamment, and assez de, but also idiomatic forms like c’en est assez, assez bien, en avoir assez, and others.
1. “Enough” as an adverb before adjectives and adverbs
When “enough” modifies an adjective or adverb, it is translated by assez or sometimes suffisamment. Both mean “to a sufficient degree,” though assez is more common in everyday French.
- He is old enough to vote. → Il est assez âgé pour voter.
- She runs fast enough. → Elle court assez vite.
- It’s warm enough to go out without a jacket. → Il fait assez chaud pour sortir sans veste.
- He works hard enough. → Il travaille suffisamment dur.
Assez is slightly more colloquial, while suffisamment is more formal or precise.
2. “Enough” before a noun
When “enough” qualifies a noun, it becomes assez de + nom or suffisamment de + nom.
- We have enough money. → Nous avons assez d’argent.
- There are enough chairs. → Il y a suffisamment de chaises.
- Do you have enough time? → As-tu assez de temps ?
- They didn’t get enough help. → Ils n’ont pas eu suffisamment d’aide.
The de never changes to du, de la, or des after assez or suffisamment.
3. “Enough” as a pronoun
When “enough” stands alone, it can be expressed as assez, suffisant, or idiomatic forms like c’en est assez.
- That’s enough! → C’est assez ! or C’en est assez !
- Enough! I’ve had it! → Assez ! J’en ai assez !
- He didn’t eat enough. → Il n’a pas assez mangé.
- Enough has been said. → On en a assez dit.
J’en ai assez means “I’ve had enough” or “I’m fed up,” and the en refers to the thing that has caused irritation.
4. “Enough” in expressions of sufficiency or adequacy
French often uses suffisant(e)(s) when “enough” refers to adequacy in a more formal or literal sense.
- The quantity is enough. → La quantité est suffisante.
- That’s enough proof. → C’est une preuve suffisante.
- There wasn’t enough space. → Il n’y avait pas un espace suffisant.
5. “Enough” in exclamations or complaints
Common spoken expressions use assez with en avoir to express irritation, impatience, or fed-up feelings.
- I’ve had enough of this! → J’en ai assez de ça !
- We’ve had enough of your excuses! → Nous en avons assez de tes excuses !
- That’s enough shouting! → Assez de cris !
In emotional contexts, c’en est trop ! means “that’s too much!” while c’en est assez ! means “that’s enough!”
6. “Enough” with verbs
When “enough” modifies a verb, it usually follows the verb with assez or suffisamment.
- He eats enough. → Il mange assez.
- You didn’t work enough. → Tu n’as pas assez travaillé.
- They sleep enough. → Ils dorment suffisamment.
7. “Enough” meaning “to the point that”
When “enough” expresses a degree leading to a consequence (He was tall enough to reach the shelf), French uses assez … pour + infinitif.
- He was tall enough to reach it. → Il était assez grand pour l’atteindre.
- You spoke loudly enough to be heard. → Tu as parlé assez fort pour être entendu.
8. “Fair enough,” “oddly enough,” and idiomatic uses
Several English idioms with “enough” have special equivalents in French.
- Fair enough. → D’accord. / Très bien. / Je comprends. (literal translation is rarely used)
- Oddly enough. → Curieusement. / Étrangement.
- Strangely enough, he agreed. → Étrangement, il a accepté.
- Sure enough. → Effectivement. / Bien sûr.
- Interestingly enough. → Fait intéressant, or Il est intéressant de noter que…
9. “Enough” used ironically or emphatically
Spoken French often uses assez emphatically to express irritation, exhaustion, or insistence.
- That’s enough now! → Ça suffit maintenant !
- Enough talking! → Assez parlé !
- Enough is enough. → Trop, c’est trop. or Assez, c’est assez.
Summary
- “Enough + adjective/adverb” → assez / suffisamment
- “Enough + noun” → assez de / suffisamment de
- “Enough!” → Assez ! / C’en est assez !
- “To have had enough (of)” → en avoir assez (de)
- “Enough + verb” → verb + assez / suffisamment
- “Enough … to” → assez … pour + infinitif
- “Fair enough,” “oddly enough,” etc. → use idiomatic equivalents, not literal translations
