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La question ne se pose pas

French expressions analyzed and explained

By , About.com Guide

Expression: La question ne se pose pas

Pronunciation: [la kehs tyo(n) neu seu poz pa]

Meaning: it's not an issue, it never comes up, it doesn't matter

Literal translation: the question isn't asked

Register: normal

Notes: The French expression la question ne se pose pas isn't really idiomatic, as its meaning is pretty much self-evident - provided that you are familiar with the passive reflexive.

Se poser literally means "to ask oneself," but here it means "to be asked." La question can be a question or an issue. So la question ne se pose pas has two possible meanings: it can mean "the issue doesn't ask itself," or rather, "the issue isn't asked... it doesn't come up... it's not an issue." Or it can indicate that a question is rhetorical because the answer is so obvious - at least in your mind.

Related expression: le problème ne se pose pas - that's not the problem, that problem doesn't arise

Example
   Je ne sais pas si Marc veut y aller. Il doit travailler, donc la question ne se pose pas.
   I don't know if Marc wants to go. He has to work, so it's not an issue / the question never came up.


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