Comments

May 27, 2011 at 9:53 am

(1) John says:

With regard to the expression “C’est-à-dire”.

1. This expression is used A LOT.
2. In spoken French it often gets truncated severely – maybe a bit like in English “ya know” or “didya” – but rather severely to that it becomes essentially one word.

May 28, 2011 at 4:02 am

(2) Viktor says:

I agree, John, this is used a LOT, especally at work, when some IT guys try to explain things to non-IT guys.

May 27, 2011 at 11:09 am

(3) Petr Vavruch says:

I am commenting for selfish reasons. When I comment, I will remember the phrase. In Czech it means ‘to znamená’.

May 30, 2011 at 6:54 pm

(4) ize says:

are you czech? so interesting i am brazilian and love new languages may be we shall learn with each other….and I love french too…

May 27, 2011 at 1:18 pm

(5) janine says:

Is this also the best (most familiar) phrase to use when you are searching for a word to use. “How do I say…?”

May 27, 2011 at 2:13 pm

(6) Laura K Lawless says:

No. If you know the right word but can’t think of it right now, you’d say Comment dirais-je …? If you don’t know the word at all, it’s Comment dit-on …?

May 27, 2011 at 3:43 pm

(7) Jacqueline says:

Chère Laura,

“C’est-à-dire,” que votre site Laura, c’est formidable! je suis bien contente de la lire deux fois par semaine.

Adieu,
Jacqueline

May 30, 2011 at 8:37 am

(8) lucy says:

Jackie, C’ est vrai. adieu
lucy

May 30, 2011 at 8:31 am

(9) lucy says:

Very easy to use phrase, and it well explained
Lucy

August 10, 2011 at 10:44 am

(10) truptie arya says:

i already know c’est-a-dire……….still i am confused in how to say ….”what do you mean by that”…. ?? pls explain……..

August 10, 2011 at 12:33 pm

(11) LKL - French Guide says:

Look at the third example in my lesson – you just say c’est-à-dire as a question.

January 26, 2012 at 6:31 pm

(12) reza says:

quelle est la difference entre “ca veut dire” et c’est a dire”?

January 27, 2012 at 2:03 am

(13) LKL - French Guide says:

They are similar, but Ça veut dire is stronger. It means “that means,” as in Que veut dire “cute”? Ça veut dire “chouette.” It’s for when you’re really talking about meaning.

C’est-à-dire offers clarification or additional information – it means “that is,” as in Cette chemise est chouette. C’est-à-dire que seulement une petite fille devrait la porter.