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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Expression of the Day: C’est énorme

This French expression literally means 'it's enormous' - but it's used in many situations in France.

French Expression of the Day: C'est énorme
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

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. 

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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Word of the Day: C’est-à-dire

This is a handy little phrase to give your French more of a local feel.

French Word of the Day: C’est-à-dire

Why do I need to know c’est-à-dire?

Because you may want to use an example to explain something, or to request a clarification of some sort.

What does it mean?

C’est-à-dire – roughly pronounced set a deer – literally means ‘that is to say’ but it’s used to introduce an explanation, or clarification, to a concept you’re trying to explain.

In English you might say ‘in other words’, or  ‘ie’ before your clarification.

You could also use the following phrases in much the same manner: à savoir, disons, entendez, je veux dire, seulement, simplement, or surtout.

READ ALSO 16 phrases to make your French sound more authentically local

You can also use it as a question to ask someone to elaborate or explain something in more detail – you’ll often hear it in celebrity interviews when the journalist says ‘C’est à dire ?‘ to mean something like ‘how so?’ or ‘please go on’.

Use it like this

Je ne souhaite pas participer à la pièce de théâtre. C’est à dire que je ne me sens pas à l’aise pour parler en public – I don’t want to be in the play. That is, I don’t feel comfortable speaking in public.

Je suis passionnée, c’est-à-dire pas capable de m’arrêter – I’m passionate, which means I can’t stop!

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