Improve your French listening skills at any level! A1 to DALF prep, start here. Do you know what “c’est clair” & “pas du tout” mean? Hear them in this clip of French in real life, listen and fill in the blanks of our daily listening exercises.
This clip is from Manger Episode 1. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Listen to the full episode here.
This audio sample and transcription is from Manger ep. 1. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode
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The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Rien n’est le mal absolu. C’est clair que le grand problème des céréales industrielles, c’est que ça n’est pas du tout nourrissant,
Nothing is pure evil. Clearly, the big problem with industrial cereals is that they’re not nourishing at all,
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “Rien n’est le mal absolu” mean?
The phrase “Rien n’est le mal absolu” can be translated as “Nothing is absolute evil” or “Nothing is the ultimate evil” in English.
What does “c’est clair” mean?
The phrase “c’est clair” is a common expression in French that translates to “it’s clear” or “it’s obvious” in English.
“C’est clair” is used to affirm that something is evident, clear, or self-evident. It indicates a high level of certainty and expresses agreement or acknowledgment of a fact or statement.
Examples:
- “C’est clair que tu as raison.” (It’s clear that you are right.)
- “C’est clair qu’il faut prendre des mesures immédiates.” (It’s obvious that immediate measures need to be taken.)
- “C’est clair que ce film est un chef-d’œuvre.” (It’s clear that this film is a masterpiece.)
“C’est clair” is a colloquial phrase used in various contexts to emphasize agreement, understanding, or certainty. It can be used to support someone’s opinion, affirm a statement, or express an obvious fact.
While not a fun fact per se, understanding the cultural significance of “c’est clair” can help learners of French appreciate the nuances and subtleties of language usage in different cultural contexts. In a cultural context, the phrase “c’est clair” exemplifies the French style of communication, which often emphasizes clarity and directness. Using this phrase in conversations can contribute to effective and efficient communication, as it conveys agreement or understanding in a concise and unambiguous manner.
Overall, “c’est clair” is an expression used to indicate clarity, agreement, or the obviousness of a statement or fact. It is a commonly used phrase in French conversations to emphasize understanding and certainty.
What does “pas du tout” mean?
In the phrase “c’est que ça n’est pas du tout,” the expression “pas du tout” is used to intensify the negation and means “not at all” or “not in the least.”
“Pas du tout” is a negation that emphasizes the complete absence or opposite of something. It conveys a strong negation or denial, indicating that the statement or situation being referred to is far from the truth or expectation.
“C’est que ça n’est pas du tout” can be translated as “It’s just that it’s not at all.” This suggests that the situation being discussed is in no way as expected or desired.
“Pas du tout” is commonly used in conversations to express a strong negative response or disagreement with a statement or expectation. It emphasizes the complete absence or opposite of what is being suggested or assumed.
Commonly used in informal conversations: “Pas du tout” is a colloquial expression that is frequently used in casual, everyday conversations among French speakers. It adds a touch of informality and familiarity to the dialogue.
“Pas du tout” is a versatile negation that can be used in various contexts. It can be applied to express disagreement, denial, or a complete absence of something. Its flexibility makes it a handy phrase in French conversations.
The use of “pas du tout” highlights the cultural differences in communication styles. French language and culture value directness and clarity, and “pas du tout” allows for a straightforward and explicit expression of negation or disagreement.
Overall, “pas du tout” intensifies the negation in a statement, emphasizing the complete absence or opposite of something. It is used to strongly deny or disagree with a statement or expectation, allowing for clear and direct communication of contrary information.
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Improve your French listening skills at any level! A1 to DALF prep, start here. Do you know what “c’est clair” & “pas du tout” mean? Hear them in this clip of French in real life, listen and fill in the blanks of our daily listening exercises.