What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase je déteste ça, the word ça literally means 'that' or 'this' in a non-specific sense.
Which one should you use?
The choice of the word for 'this' changes the tone: je déteste ça uses the colloquial ça, while je déteste ceci or je déteste cela sound more formal or are used in written contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
je déteste ça is an informal expression. For more formal situations or writing, you can use je déteste cela or je déteste ceci. If you wish to convey a very strong feeling of loathing and disgust in a formal manner, you can use Cela me répugne. In informal speech, j'ai horreur de ça is a common, expressive alternative.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb détester is a transitive verb, meaning it does not require a preposition like 'to' before its object.
Did you know?
- The verb détester comes from the Latin word detestari, which originally meant to call upon the gods as witnesses to an abomination.
- The word ça has a curious history, as some linguists believe it was influenced by the German word es to function as a neutral, substantivized pronoun.
- In very informal spoken French, the e in je is often dropped, making the phrase sound more like j'déteste ça.
Examples in context
- Je déteste ça.I hate this.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase je déteste ça.Tatoeba #2433133 by sacredceltic, translation #2245870 by CK
- Je déteste cela, je pense que c'est inacceptable.I hate this, I think it's unacceptable.
- Cela me répugne, je ne peux pas supporter ça.I hate this, I can't stand it.
- Je déteste ça, c'est franchement nul!I hate this, it's really awful!
- J'en ai marre, je n'en peux plus de ça!I hate this, I can't stand it anymore!
- C'est vraiment naze, je déteste ça!I hate this, it's really lousy!
- Non, je déteste ça, les films d'horreur me donnent des cauchemars!No, I hate this, horror movies give me nightmares!
- Je déteste ça, la pluie.I hate this, the rain.
- Ah non, je déteste ça !Oh no, I hate this!
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are stuck in a long queue at the grocery store.
- HugoIl y a trop de monde.There are too many people.
- ManonJe déteste ça, l'attente.I hate this, the waiting.
- HugoOn devrait partir.We should leave.
- ManonOui, je suis d'accord.Yes, I agree.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
