mauvaise décision
The English phrase "bad decision" is translated into French as mauvaise décision.
In the context of une mauvaise décision, the word mauvaise primarily refers to a decision that is incorrect, unwise or ill-advised rather than a decision that is morally bad.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because décision is a feminine noun, the phrase uses the feminine indefinite article une in the form une mauvaise décision. To express the plural "bad decisions", use mauvaises décisions, where both the adjective and the noun take the plural suffix -s.
Did you know?
- If a decision is particularly disastrous, a French person might use the slang 'une bêtise' to describe it, which literally means 'a foolishness' or 'a silly thing'.
- In high-stakes professional settings, a 'mauvaise décision' might be euphemistically called 'un manque de discernement', which translates to 'a lack of discernment'.
- The word décision is a direct descendant of the Latin 'decisio', meaning a cutting off or settling, which shares the same root as the English word 'decisive'.
Examples in context
- Il prit une mauvaise décision.He made a bad decision.This sentence shows how to say someone made a mauvaise décision.Tatoeba #1679001 by sacredceltic, translation #1678422 by Spamster
- C'était une mauvaise décision.That was a bad decision.This sentence is useful for saying that something was a mauvaise décision.Tatoeba #7089149 by Aiji, translation #3377167 by CK
- Ce n'est pas une mauvaise décision.That's not a bad decision.This sentence demonstrates how to state that something is not a mauvaise décision.Tatoeba #5317037 by Aiji, translation #4494174 by CK
- Prendre cette route était une mauvaise décision.Taking this road was a bad decision.
- C'était une décision regrettable de ne pas investir plus tôt.It was a regrettable decision not to invest earlier.
- Son refus de collaborer fut une erreur de jugement manifeste.His refusal to cooperate was a clear error in judgment.
- C'était un mauvais choix de prendre ce travail.It was a bad choice to take that job.
- Acheter cette voiture sans faire de vérification était une vraie bêtise.Buying that car without doing any checks was a real foolish decision.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing a recent business move.
- EmmaJe pense que c'est une mauvaise décision.I think it is a bad decision.
- HugoPourquoi penses-tu cela, Emma ?Why do you think that, Emma?
- EmmaLe risque est trop grand pour lui.The risk is too great for him.
- HugoJe comprends, mais nous devons essayer.I understand, but we must try.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries décision, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
