c'est vrai ?
The English phrase "is it?" can be translated into French as c'est vrai ?
French speakers often use c'est vrai ? to express surprise or to seek confirmation about something that has just been mentioned, similar to how an English speaker might use the tag question "is it?" or the word "really?"
Which one should you use?
Est-ce cela ? means "Is it this?", and Est-ce que c'est le cas ? means "Is it the case?" In casual speech, you can use Non ? to mean "Right?"
Did you know?
- While c'est vrai ? asks if something is true, French speakers often use the word si to answer 'yes' when they are contradicting a negative question.
- In very casual spoken French, you might hear people simply say Ah bon ? instead of c'est vrai ? to express the same sense of surprise.
- The word vrai is a cognate of the English word 'veracity', sharing a common ancestor in the Latin word vērāx.
Examples in context
- C'est bon, non ?It's good, right?
- Est-ce que c'est votre voiture ?Is it your car?
- C'est ça la bonne réponse, non ?Is this the correct answer, right?
- Tu as gagné le premier prix, c'est vrai ?You won the first prize, is it true?
- Il va pleuvoir demain, c'est vrai ?It is going to rain tomorrow, is it true?
- C'est vrai ? Je ne te crois pas !Is it true? I don't believe you!
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new restaurant in town.
- ManonCe nouveau restaurant est très cher.This new restaurant is very expensive.
- NathanC'est vrai ?Is it true?
- ManonOui, les prix sont incroyables.Yes, the prices are incredible.
- NathanAh, je vais éviter d'y aller alors.Ah, I will avoid going there then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, vrai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
