Which one should you use?
While complètement différent is common, tout à fait différent is a slightly more elegant or formal way to express the same idea of being 'entirely' or 'completely' different. The phrase Radicalement différent is a formal way to express a significant contrast or divergence. The expression Carrément différent is an informal way to say "completely different" or "totally different."
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, so use the feminine form complètement différente if the subject is feminine. The adjective must agree in number with the noun it modifies, so use the masculine plural form complètement différents for multiple masculine or mixed-gender subjects and the feminine plural form complètement différentes for multiple feminine subjects.
Did you know?
- If a French speaker says two things are aux antipodes, they mean they are completely different, using a term that originally refers to points on the exact opposite sides of the Earth.
- While 'completely' is complètement, the informal carrément actually traces back to the word for 'square', implying a difference so blunt or direct it is as straight as a square.
- To say something is 'completely different' in a very colloquial way, French speakers might use c'est le jour et la nuit, which means 'it is day and night'.
Examples in context
- Aujourd'hui, c'est complètement différent.Now it's completely different.This sentence shows how to use complètement différent to describe a current state.Tatoeba #11761972 by Aiji, translation #4496768 by CK
- Dans un an tout sera complètement différent.In a year, everything will be completely different.This sentence uses complètement différent to describe a future state of everything.Tatoeba #6771753 by felix63, translation #6900592 by kaiperkins271
- À partir d'après-demain tout sera complètement différent.From the day after tomorrow on, everything will be completely different.This sentence uses complètement différent to describe a change occurring from a specific point in the future.Tatoeba #6771710 by felix63, translation #6900591 by kaiperkins271
- Les deux approches sont totalement différentes.The two approaches are completely different.
- Les résultats obtenus sont radicalement différents de ce qui était prévu.The results obtained are completely different from what was expected.
- Les deux modèles sont complètement différents l'un de l'autre.The two models are completely different from each other.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are comparing two versions of a project.
- EmmaTon nouveau plan est complètement différent.Your new plan is completely different.
- HugoOui, c'est un projet totalement nouveau.Yes, it is a totally new project.
- EmmaIl est beaucoup plus simple que l'ancien.It is much simpler than the old one.
- HugoC'est vrai, c'est plus efficace.That's true, it is more efficient.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
