comme ça
/kɔm sa/
The French phrase for "just because" is comme ça.
comme ça is used as an adverbial phrase to indicate that something is being done without a specific reason or motive, similar to saying "just because" or "just because of that" in English.
Meaning: For no particular reason (adv)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using comme ça to mean "just because" is common in spoken, informal French.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔm sa/
Did you know?
- The phrase comme ça originally began as a shortcut for expressions like gros comme ça or grand comme ça, which mean 'big like that'.
- If you say comme ça while gesturing with your hands to show size, it shifts from meaning 'just because' to meaning 'that big' or 'of that size'.
- In a heated argument, using only comme ça to avoid explaining yourself can be perceived as quite dismissive or even cheeky in French culture.
Examples in context
- « Pourquoi ? » « Juste comme ça. »"Why?" "Just because."This example shows how to use comme ça when answering a question about why something is happening.Tatoeba #13223797 by Tzung_hsien_Chen, translation #10075410 by espamatics
- Juste comme ça , je voulais te dire que je t'apprécie.Just because, I wanted to tell you that I appreciate you.
- Je voulais l'acheter comme ça.I wanted to buy it just because.
- On est partis comme ça.We left just because.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are talking about a new painting.
- ChloéPourquoi as-tu peint ce chat ?Why did you paint this cat?
- NathanJe l'ai fait comme ça, Chloé.I just did it because, Chloé.
- ChloéCe n'est pas une vraie raison !That's not a real reason!
- NathanC'est ma raison, Nathan.It's my reason, Nathan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry comme ça, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comme, comme ça, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
