Learn to Decipher What French People Say vs. What They Mean!

Well, well, well… Let’s roll up our sleeves and tackle this new challenge together!

It is very natural to use figures of speech in daily life, conversations, movies, or songs. However, some can be confusing, especially for learners at a lower level, as they need to be understood with their different layers.

Let’s take a closer look at what this means!

Litotes in French: Saying the Opposite to Mean More

By using a type of understatement called litote in French, the speaker actually says the opposite of what they mean in order to emphasize their point. Confusing? Tu m’étonnes! (Tell me about it!)

Common Examples of Litotes

Here are some concrete examples:

French Expression	Literal Translation	Implied Meaning
Ce n’est pas donné de voyager à Paris la semaine de Pâques.	It’s not cheap to travel to Paris during Easter week.	It’s outrageously expensive to travel to Paris during Easter week.
Il (ne) fait pas chaud au Pôle nord…	It’s not warm at the North Pole…	It’s extremely cold at the North Pole…
Elle n’est pas toute jeune, ma grand-mère.	My grandmother is not so young.	My grandmother is very old.
Ils ne sont pas bêtes !	They’re not stupid!	They’re very smart!
Ce n’est pas mauvais, ce plat !	It’s not a bad dish!	This dish is exquisite!
C’était pas mal, ce film.	That movie was not bad.	That film was brilliant.
Tu m’étonnes qu’elle ait été déçue…	Oh, what a surprise that she was disappointed…	I’m not at all surprised she was disappointed…
Ah bah, c’est agréable, personne ne répond au service client.	Ah well, it’s pleasant, nobody is answering customer service.	Ah well, it’s very annoying, nobody answers customer service.
Ça ne date pas d’hier, cette chanson !	That song’s nothing new!	That song was written a long time ago!
Ce n’est pas nouveau, qu’il n’aime pas avoir tort.	It’s not new that he doesn’t like being wrong.	It’s always like that, he doesn’t like to be wrong.

Litotes vs. Euphemisms: What’s the Difference?

A common question is: What is the difference between a euphemism and a litote? Since both are understatements and can’t be understood literally, they may seem similar—but they serve different functions.

• A euphemism is a polite way of referring to topics that might be upsetting, embarrassing, or taboo (e.g., age, money, death, physical appearance, or sex). The goal is to soften the message.
• A litote, on the other hand, states the opposite of what is meant in order to emphasize something rather than soften it.

Examples of Euphemisms vs. Litotes

Let’s look at some examples comparing euphemisms and litotes.

Travel Costs

Direct Statement: C’est hors de prix de voyager à Paris la semaine de Pâques !

• Litote: Ce n’est pas donné de voyager à Paris la semaine de Pâques. (It’s not cheap to travel to Paris during Easter week.)
• Euphemism: C’est (un peu) coûteux, ça dépasse mon budget. (It’s a bit costly; it’s out of my budget.)

Age

Direct Statement: Elle est très âgée/vieille, ma grand-mère.

• Litote: Elle n’est pas toute jeune. (She’s not very young.)
• Euphemism: Elle a un certain âge. (She has a certain age.)

Death

Direct Statement: Il est mort. (He’s dead.)

• Euphemism: Il nous a quitté. / Il n’est plus de ce monde. (He has left us. / He is no longer of this world.)

Physical Appearance

Direct Statement: C’est moche/laid. (It’s ugly.)

• Euphemism: Ce n’est pas à mon goût. C’est un peu disgracieux. (It’s not to my taste.)
• Litote: Je ne suis pas super fan ! (I’m not a big fan!)

Wealth

Direct Statement: Il est très riche. (He’s very rich.)

• Euphemism: Il vit aisément. / Il a les moyens. (He lives well. / He has the means.)
• Litote: Il n’est pas dans le besoin ! (He’s not in need!)

Poverty

Direct Statement: Ils sont pauvres. (They are poor.)

• Euphemism: Ce sont des personnes dans le besoin, démunies, qui ont peu de moyens. (They are people in need, destitute, with little means.)
• Litote: Ils ne roulent pas sur l’or. (They don’t ride on gold.)

Size

Direct Statement: C’est gros. / Il est gros. (It’s big. / He’s fat.)

• Euphemism: C’est assez imposant, c’est un peu encombrant. (It’s quite imposing, it’s a bit bulky.) Il est potelé, bien en chair, il a des formes. (He’s chubby, plump, curvy.)
• Litote: Ce n’est pas petit ! (That is not tiny!) or adding a touch of sarcasm : Il n’y avait pas plus gros ? (Wasn’t there anything bigger?) Meaning in fact Couldn’t you go for something smaller ?!. Il n’est pas mince, ce n’est pas un petit gabarit. (He’s not too slim, he’s not a small stature.)

Conclusion

Although often confused, litotes and euphemisms serve different purposes:

• Litotes create emphasis by stating the opposite of what is meant.
• Euphemisms make statements softer and more polite, especially on sensitive topics.

By understanding the difference, you’ll not only improve your French comprehension but also sound more natural and nuanced in your conversations!

Do you know any other litotes or euphemisms in French? Share them in the comments! And if you want to practice more, check out our app for interactive lessons on B2-level French expressions!