Au fait

Expression: Au fait

Pronunciation: [o feht]

Meanings: by the way, get to the point, informed

Register: normal

Notes: The French expression au fait is most commonly used as an interjection meaning "by the way" or "incidentally":

   Salut Pierre ! Au fait, j'ai parlé à ta sœur hier.
   Hi Pierre! By the way, I talked to your sister yesterday.


Au fait can also mean "get to the point":

   Je n'ai qu'une minute, donc je vais droit au fait.
   I only have a minute, so I'll go straight to the point.

   Au fait !
   Get to the point (already)!


Au fait de means "informed about" or "conversant with" (though au courant de is more common). This is also the meaning of au fait in English.

   Je ne suis pas au fait de sa situation.
   I'm not familiar with his situation; I'm not au fait with his situation.


Attention: Though it may sound similar, the expression en fait means something very different.


Post your comments about the French expression au fait on my French blog - just hit "comments" at the bottom of the post.


More

• Expressions with à
• Expressions with faire
• Most common French phrases
• French expressions used in English