sans pitié
The English phrase 'no mercy' is translated into French as sans pitié.
This phrase describes a person or an action that is cruel and shows a lack of forgiveness or compassion.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition sans (without) and the noun pitié (pity/mercy).
Which one should you use?
While sans pitié is a general description of a lack of compassion, sans merci is often used in the specific contexts of combat or sports to mean 'no quarter' or 'no mercy'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase sans pitié can function as both an adjective describing a person and an adverb describing an action.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'mercy' is often linked to a legal or judicial act, the French pitié is more closely tied to the emotional feeling of sorrow for another.
- The word pitié is used in the common exclamation Pitié !, which functions as a desperate plea for help or a request to stop something unpleasant.
- The word pitié is a doublet of piété, meaning 'piety'. While one evolved to mean 'mercy' and the other 'religious devotion', they both share the same Latin root.
Examples in context
- Je suis sans pitié.I have no mercy.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use sans pitié.Tatoeba #8537537 by Aiji, translation #12838921 by Orange
- Le juge a prononcé la peine sans pitiéThe judge pronounced the sentence without mercy
- Le président a déclaré qu'il n'y aurait aucune clémenceThe president declared that there would be no mercy
- Les attaquants ont poursuivi leur ennemi sans merciThe attackers pursued their enemy without mercy
- Le tribunal a condamné l'accusé sans pitié.The court sentenced the accused without mercy.
- Ce tyran est sans pitié.This tyrant is merciless.
- Elle a agi sans pitié.She acted without mercy.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are discussing a harsh boss at work.
- HugoLe nouveau directeur est sans pitié.The new director is merciless.
- ManonC'est vrai, il est très dur.It's true, he is very harsh.
- HugoIl ne pardonne aucune erreur.He doesn't forgive any mistake.
- ManonIl faut faire attention avec lui.We must be careful with him.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pitié, sans, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
