ça veut dire
To say it means in French, use ça veut dire. It explains the meaning of a word, sign or situation.
ça veut dire is the everyday way to explain what something means.
What does it mean word for word?
Word for word ça veut dire means that wants to say.
Which one should you use?
Cela signifie is a formal way to say it means. cela veut dire is the more formal version of ça veut dire, typically used in writing or formal speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
When a clause follows, add que, as in ça veut dire que. To ask what does it mean, say qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ? or, in casual speech, ça veut dire quoi ?
Did you know?
- The word dire in ça veut dire is a distant relative of the English word 'dictate'. Both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to show' or 'point out'.
- While ça veut dire literally translates to 'that wants to say', the verb vouloir (to want) is used here to express a logical intention or a result rather than a human desire.
- The word ça is actually a 'contracted' version of the more formal cela. It is a shortened form that became so common it eventually became the standard everyday way to say 'that'.
Examples in context
- On sait ce que ça veut dire.We know what it means.Here the phrase follows ce que to say what it means.Tatoeba #8407829 by Aiji, translation #5009611 by CK
- Ça veut dire qu'il t'apprécie.It means that he likes you.Here Ça veut dire is followed by qu' to start a clause.Tatoeba #3629582 by sacredceltic, translation #3626599 by Lindoula
- Ce n'est pas ce que ça veut dire.That's not what it means.Here the phrase follows ce que in a negative sentence.Tatoeba #6322066 by Aiji, translation #2892050 by CK
- L'arrivée tardive de votre colis signifie que vous pouvez être remboursé.The late arrival of your package means that you can get a refund.
- L'annulation de la réservation équivaut à la perte d'un acompte.The cancellation of the reservation is equivalent to the loss of a deposit.
- Je suis fatigué. Ça veut dire que j'ai besoin de me reposer.I'm tired. It means I need to rest.
- J'ai mangé beaucoup de fruits, c'est-à-dire des pommes et des oranges.I ate a lot of fruits, that is to say, apples and oranges.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are looking at a French sign.
- EmmaQu'est-ce que ce mot veut dire ?What does this word mean?
- LucasÇa veut dire 'entrée'.It means 'entrance'.
- EmmaAh, merci Lucas !Ah, thanks Lucas!
- LucasDe rien, Emma.You're welcome, Emma.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dire, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
