sans vouloir vous manquer de respect
In French, "no disrespect intended" is expressed as sans vouloir vous manquer de respect.
This phrase is typically used as a preamble to a statement that might be perceived as critical or blunt, signaling that the speaker's following words are not meant to be offensive or rude.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adapt the phrase depending on who you are addressing. Use sans vouloir te manquer de respect if you are speaking to a friend or someone you know well. Additionally, the phrase can be adapted to specify a person by using sans vouloir manquer de respect à [quelqu'un].
Did you know?
- While manquer de respect means 'to lack respect', the verb manquer is also used in French to say 'I miss you' via tu me manques, which literally translates to 'you are missing from me'.
- In some formal French contexts, using this phrase can actually signal to the listener that a very blunt or contradictory opinion is about to follow.
- The verb manquer in this phrase shares an ancestor with the English word 'maimed', originally meaning to be physically deficient or incomplete.
Examples in context
- Je vous prie de m'excuser, aucune intention de manquer de respect. Je voulais simplement ajouter un point à la discussion.I beg your pardon, no intention to be disrespectful. I just wanted to add a point to the discussion.
- Désolé(e), je veux pas manquer de respect. Je ne voulais juste pas te blesser.Sorry, I don't mean to be disrespectful. I just didn't want to hurt you.
- Sans vouloir vous manquer de respect, je ne suis pas d'accord.No disrespect intended, but I do not agree.
- Sans vouloir vous manquer de respect, votre idée est risquée.Without wanting to be disrespectful, your idea is risky.
- Sans vouloir vous manquer de respect, je ne comprends pas votre point.No disrespect intended, but I do not understand your point.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are discussing a project at work.
- GabrielLe plan actuel ne fonctionne pas, sans vouloir vous manquer de respect.The current plan isn't working, no disrespect intended.
- EmmaJe comprends, Gabriel. Qu'est-ce que tu proposes ?I understand, Gabriel. What do you propose?
- GabrielJe pense qu'il faut tout recommencer.I think we need to start all over again.
- EmmaC'est un point de vue intéressant, Emma apprécie ton honnêteté.That is an interesting point of view, Emma appreciates your honesty.
