l'ignorance est une bénédiction
The English phrase "ignorance is bliss" can be expressed in French as l'ignorance est une bénédiction.
The phrase l'ignorance est une bénédiction is a direct translation of the English proverb. While it conveys the meaning, it is often perceived as a calque, which is a loan translation from English and it is less common in natural French conversation than other idiomatic expressions.
Meaning: Ignorance is bliss (proverb)
Which one should you use?
While l'ignorance est une bénédiction is a literal translation, a more common and idiomatic way to express this same sentiment in French is mieux vaut ne pas savoir, which translates to "it is better not to know".
Did you know?
- Apart from Jésus-Christ, the word est is the only word in the entire modern French language that retains a silent internal 's'.
- The common French alternative mieux vaut ne pas savoir shifts the focus from the noun 'ignorance' to the active choice of not knowing.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are discussing a secret.
- ManonHugo, veux-tu savoir ce qu'ils disent de toi ?Hugo, do you want to know what they are saying about you?
- HugoNon, je préfère ne rien savoir.No, I prefer to know nothing.
- ManonC'est sage, car l'ignorance est une bénédiction.That's wise, because ignorance is bliss.
- HugoExactement, je suis beaucoup plus calme ainsi.Exactly, I am much calmer this way.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bénédiction, est, une, CC BY-SA 4.0.
