Tricky French Expression

Meaning it’s not that great Literally it’s not terrible, it’s not terrific Register normal Pronunciation [seu nay pah tay reebl] IPA [sə nɛ pa te ʀiblə]

Usage notes: Even after speaking French for a long time, the word terrible can be confusing, because it’s a contronym: a word that is its own antonym. It can mean "terrible," as in English, but it can also mean "terrific," making it perhaps the trickiest faux ami there is.

C’est terrible ! It’s awful! C’est terrible ! It’s great!

But when it’s used in the negative,is generally positive (ha ha), meaning "terrific" or "great."

Par exemple…

J’ai vu la voiture, ce n’est pas terrible. I saw the car, it’s not that great. – Tu as essayé ce resto ?

– Oui, c’est pas terrible. (informal) – You tried this restaurant?

– Yes, it’s not that great. (en sirotant) Pas terrible. (while sipping) Not that great.

Informally, theis dropped and this expression is pronouncedRelated lessons