blague à part
The English phrase "all jokes aside" can be translated into French as blague à part.
blague à part is used as a transition to signal that the speaker is shifting from a humorous or lighthearted tone to a serious one.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase blague à part literally translates to "joke aside".
How does it change in a sentence?
While the singular form blague à part is common, you can also use the plural form blagues à part to mean "jokes aside".
Did you know?
- The word blague comes from the Dutch word balg, which refers to a bellows. It entered French via the idea of something being 'puffed up' or fanciful.
- The word part is a homonym in French that can refer to a piece of something, the act of leaving and a birth.
- The verb blaguer creates the common reactive phrase Tu blagues !, which functions exactly like the English 'You're kidding!' when someone is shocked.
Examples in context
- Sans blague , ça doit vraiment être résolu rapidement.Seriously, this must be resolved quickly.
- Blague à part , je pense que nous devons considérer toutes les possibilités.All jokes aside, I think we need to consider all possibilities.
- Blague à part, tu as réussi ton examen.All jokes aside, you passed your exam.
- Blague à part, nous devons prendre une décision.All jokes aside, we need to make a decision.
- Il est très drôle, mais blague à part, il est travailleur.He is very funny, but all jokes aside, he is hard-working.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are discussing a project at a cafe.
- LéaC'est vraiment amusant, mais blague à part, est-ce que tu es prêt ?It is really funny, but all jokes aside, are you ready?
- LucasOui, je suis tout à fait sérieux maintenant.Yes, I am completely serious now.
- LéaParfait, Lucas, commençons le travail.Perfect, Lucas, let's start the work.
- LucasD'accord, je sors mes notes.Okay, I'm getting my notes out.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blague, part, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
