ce n'est pas
To say it is not in French, use ce n'est pas. It states that something is not true or not what someone says it is.
ce n'est pas is used to say what something is not, such as not mine, not a game or not funny.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is made of ce (it or this), n' (not), est (is) and pas (not).
Which one should you use?
ce n'est pas identifies or defines what something is not. For states or qualities of a specific person or object, French uses a personal pronoun such as Il est pas / Elle est pas in casual speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In spoken, informal French the ne is almost always dropped, giving c'est pas.
How does it change in a sentence?
ne becomes n' because it comes before the vowel of est. Negation wraps the verb, with ne before it and pas after it.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When identifying an object, English speakers sometimes use a personal pronoun instead of ce. Use ce n'est pas for identification.
Did you know?
- Before pas became the standard way to say 'not', French speakers could use other nouns to add emphasis, such as saying they had 'not a drop' with ne… goutte or 'not a crumb' with ne… mie.
- The word pas originally meant 'a step' in Latin. When people used it in negative phrases, they were literally saying they had 'not taken a step', which eventually evolved into the standard way to say 'not' in French.
- While ce n'est pas is the formal standard, the omission of ne in spoken French is so pervasive that using it in casual settings can sometimes make a speaker sound unnaturally stiff.
Examples in context
- Ce n'est pas à moi.It is not mine.Here Ce n'est pas is followed by à moi to say it is not mine.Tatoeba #1895008 by sacredceltic, translation #7808143 by sharris123
- Ce n'est pas un jeu.It is not a game.Here Ce n'est pas says what something is not, a game.Tatoeba #1650875 by sacredceltic, translation #9419410 by shekitten
- Ce n'est pas drôle !It is not funny!Here Ce n'est pas is followed by an adjective meaning funny.Tatoeba #2186624 by sacredceltic, translation #1743503 by belgavox
- Ce n'est pas une bonne idée.It is not a good idea.
- Ce n'est pas vrai.It is not true.
- Ce n'est pas possible.It is not possible.
- C'est pas grave.It's not serious.
- C'est pas vrai!It's not true!
- C'est pas possible!It's not possible!
- Ce n'est point nécessaire.It is not necessary.
- 75 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are looking at a piece of fruit in the kitchen.
- HugoCe n'est pas une pomme, Chloé.It is not an apple, Chloé.
- ChloéAh, tu as raison, Hugo.Ah, you are right, Hugo.
- HugoC'est une poire.It is a pear.
- ChloéD'accord, je comprends.Okay, I understand.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ce, pas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
