sans regrets
The English phrase "no regrets" can be translated into French as sans regrets.
The phrase is used to express that one does not feel sorry or wish they had acted differently about the past.
What does it mean word for word?
sans regrets is composed of the preposition sans (without) and the plural noun regrets (regrets).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, the informal expression pas de regrets is widely used to convey "no regrets".
How does it change in a sentence?
While sans regrets is common, using the singular sans regret is also grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning of lacking the feeling of regret.
Did you know?
- While sans regrets is the standard translation, French speakers often use the phrase tant pis to express a similar acceptance of a past event, though it translates more closely to 'too bad'.
- The preposition sans has a linguistic history that is quite unusual, as it actually stems from a combination of two different Latin concepts: 'sine' meaning 'without' and 'absentia' meaning 'absence'.
- The French word for regret, regret, is a direct cognate of the English word, but its usage in French literature often involves a sense of 'longing' or 'nostalgia' that is broader than the English meaning.
Examples in context
- Je n'ai pas de regretsI have no regrets
- Je n'ai rien à regretterI have nothing to regret
- Je pars sans regrets.I am leaving with no regrets.
- Il a vécu sa vie sans regrets.He lived his life with no regrets.
- Elle a pris cette décision sans regrets.She made that decision without any regrets.
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are talking about a past relationship.
- ManonEst-ce que tu regrettes ton ex ?Do you regret your ex?
- LucasNon, je suis sans regrets.No, I have no regrets.
- ManonC'est courageux de dire ça.That's brave to say.
- LucasOui, j'ai tout essayé.Yes, I tried everything.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sans, CC BY-SA 4.0.
