Why do I need to know c’est énorme?

It’s a simple enough phrase but c’est énorme can be used in lots of ways and the French use it all the time.

If you listen carefully, you’ll hear loads of things described as énorme, even if they are tiny or not even things. Confused? Here’s how to use this useful little expression.

What does it mean?

C’est énorme – roughly pronounced say ay-norm – literally means it’s enormous, but when it is used as an expression (and it often is as an exclamation) it means that something is great, or amazing or incredible.

It can also convey surprise – as in something that’s unbelievable. 

With only two words, c’est énorme conveys a whole range of emotions – from shock and excitement to frustration. 

The origins of c’est énorme seem pretty straightforward and the expression is similar in many ways to the English ‘it’s huge or ‘it’s big’ as in something that’s unbelievable or awesome, or a big deal or big news. 

Enorme is also used in a few other French expressions such as c’est pas énorme meaning ‘that’s not much’ or c’est déjà énorme which means ‘that’s already a lot’. 

Use it like this

Ils lui ont proposé le boulot, c’est énorme! – They offered her the job, it’s great!

Ta tarte aux pommes est énorme! — Your apple tart is amazing!

Tout le gouvernmemt a démissioné, c’est énorme. – The entire government has resigned, it’s unbelievable.