sans règles
The English phrase "no rules" is translated into French as sans règles.
This phrase describes a situation where there are no laws or regulations to follow.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of sans, meaning "without" and règles, which is the plural form of règle, meaning "rules".
Which one should you use?
While sans règles is the standard translation, other forms exist depending on context. Aucune règle also means "no rules". For emphasis on a complete lack of regulation, you can use L'absence de toute règle, which means "the absence of any rules".
How does it change in a sentence?
The number of rules being referred to changes the form. While sans règles is the plural, if you are referring to the absence of a single rule, you should use the singular form sans règle.
Did you know?
- In a medical context, sans règles describes a woman who is not menstruating, as règles is the common French word for 'periods'.
- To describe someone completely lawless or unscrupulous, French speakers use the idiomatic phrase sans foi ni loi, meaning they have 'neither faith nor law'.
- In French, the word règle refers to both a set of regulations and the physical tool used for drawing straight lines, meaning you are literally 'without straight-edges'.
Examples in context
- Dans notre entreprise, il n'y a aucune règle qui interdit l'expression des idées.In our company, there are no rules prohibiting the expression of ideas.
- Y'a pas de règles ici, tu peux t'exprimer librementThere are no rules here, you can express yourself freely.
- Nous avons décidé d'établir l'absence de toute règle pour encourager l'innovation.We have decided to establish the absence of any rules to encourage innovation.
- Pas de règles, ça laisse place à la créativité et à l'innovation!No rules, it leaves room for creativity and innovation!
- C'est un jeu sans règles.It is a game without rules.
- Ce jeu est sans règles.This game is without rules.
- Vivre dans un monde sans règles est dangereux.Living in a world without rules is dangerous.
- On ne peut rien faire dans un système sans règles.One can do nothing in a system without rules.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are discussing the chaos of a new online forum.
- ManonCe forum semble être sans règles.This forum seems to be without rules.
- HugoC'est vrai, c'est le chaos total.It's true, it's total chaos.
- ManonHugo, tu devrais partir d'ici.Hugo, you should leave here.
- HugoTu as raison, Manon.You are right, Manon.
