comme c'est excitant
comme c'est excitant is the French way to say "how exciting".
This phrase is an exclamation used to express that something is very thrilling or stimulating.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of comme (how/as), c'est (it is) and excitant (exciting).
Which one should you use?
While comme c'est excitant is a direct translation, French speakers often prefer to use C'est passionnant to describe something that is intellectually or emotionally stimulating. This is because excitant can sometimes carry a sexual connotation depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this exclamatory use, the word comme functions as "how" to intensify the adjective, rather than its usual meaning of "like" or "as".
Did you know?
- The word comme evolved from the Late Latin quōmodo, which was used to ask in what manner something happened.
- To avoid ambiguity, French speakers often swap excitant for passionnant, which literally translates to 'passionate' but is the standard word for 'thrilling' or 'fascinating'.
- If you want to express excitement about a new idea or a story, using excitant might sound overly physical. French culture often distinguishes between intellectual stimulation, which is passionnant, and physical arousal.
Examples in context
- Comme c'est excitant !How exciting!This sentence is useful for seeing the exclamation comme c'est excitant in use.Tatoeba #5353300 by Aiji, translation #2111818 by CK
- Le livre que tu m'as recommandé est vraiment passionnant!The book you recommended to me is truly exciting!
- Comme c'est excitant de voyager !How exciting it is to travel!
- Oh, comme c'est excitant !Oh, how exciting!
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are talking about an upcoming trip.
- LéaJe viens de réserver nos billets pour Paris !I just booked our tickets for Paris!
- GabrielVraiment ? Comme c'est excitant !Really? How exciting!
- LéaOui, on part samedi prochain.Yes, we leave next Saturday.
- GabrielJ'ai tellement hâte d'y être.I can't wait to be there.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, comme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
