What does it mean word for word?
The word nul literally means zero or null, but in this context, it is used idiomatically to mean bad or lame.
Which one should you use?
While c'était mauvais is a literal translation of "it was bad", it is typically used for tastes (like food) or moral qualities, whereas c'était nul is more common for describing an event, a movie or a general experience. For more specific nuances, you might use C'était décevant to specifically convey disappointment or C'était désastreux to describe something as disastrous or catastrophic.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
c'était nul is used in informal contexts to describe something as lousy or rubbish. In informal contexts, you may also hear C'était pourri to describe something as rotten or awful or the much stronger phrase C'était à chier to express extreme disappointment. If you wish to be more formal, use C'était décevant for disappointment or C'était désastreux for a disaster.
Did you know?
- To express extreme, vulgar frustration that something was 'rubbish', some speakers use the phrase c'était à chier, which literally means 'it was to defecate'.
- In a French classroom, a student who is failing a subject might be called un nul, effectively labeling them as 'a zero'.
- The word nul in the phrase c'était nul is a linguistic descendant of the Latin 'nūllus', which is the same root used to form the English word 'null'.
Examples in context
- La nourriture dans ce restaurant était vraiment décevante.The food in this restaurant was really disappointing.
- Le service à l'hôtel était désastreux.The service at the hotel was disastrous.
- Le film que j'ai vu hier était nul, les acteurs étaient mauvais!The movie I saw yesterday was lame, the actors were bad!
- La fête chez Tom était vraiment pourrie, il ne savait pas l'organiser!Tom's party was really awful, he didn't know how to organize it!
- Le film était nul.The movie was bad.
- C'était nul, ce film.That movie was bad.
- Franchement, c'était nul.Honestly, it was bad.
- Le concert ? C'était nul.The concert? It was bad.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing a restaurant they visited recently.
- LéaTu as aimé le repas ?Did you like the meal?
- NathanNon, c'était nul.No, it was bad.
- LéaAh bon ? C'était si mauvais ?Really? Was it that bad?
- NathanOui, le service était très lent.Yes, the service was very slow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nul, CC BY-SA 4.0.
