C'est-à-dire

Expression: C'est-à-dire

Pronunciation: [say ta deer]

Meaning: that is, i.e., I mean

Literal translation: that is to say

Register: normal

Notes: The French expression c'est-à-dire is used to explain or expand upon something that was just said, or to ask for clarification. In informal writing, c'est-à-dire may be abbreviated to c-à-d, càd, or even cad.

Examples

   Un traducteur, c'est-à-dire quelqu'un qui récrit les documents dans une autre langue
   A translator, that is, someone who rewrites documents in another language

   Je dois travailler ce soir, c'est-à-dire que je ne peux pas aller au ciné avec toi.
   I have to work tonight, which means I can't go to the movies with you.

   -Il faut que tu commences à y mettre du tien ici.
   -C'est-à-dire ?
   -C'est-à-dire que tu vas nous aider à faire le ménage.
   -You need to start pulling your weight around here.
   -Meaning? / What does that mean?
   -It means you're going to help us out with the housework.

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More
   • Expressions with être
   • Expressions with à
   • Expressions with dire
   • Everyday French phrases
   • Most common French phrases
   • C'est vs Il est
   • French acronyms and abbreviations