pas grand-chose
In French, the phrase for "not much" is pas grand-chose.
The phrase pas grand-chose is used to indicate that there is a small amount of something or that not many things are happening.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "not big thing".
How does it change in a sentence?
Even when the phrase is used to refer to a quantity of multiple things, the word chose remains in the singular form.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid trying to pluralize the phrase to pas grandes choses when referring to multiple items. The idiomatic expression remains pas grand-chose.
Did you know?
- The word pas literally means 'a step'. In the past, it was used to say you had not moved even 'a step' when denying motion.
- While chose means 'thing', using pas grand-chose to describe a person's importance can be a subtle way to dismiss them as insignificant without using a harsh adjective.
- In casual spoken French, speakers often drop the ne part of the negation and simply say pas grand-chose. In formal writing, however, the ne must remain to be grammatically correct.
Examples in context
- Pas grand-chose n'a changé.Not much has changed.This example shows how to use pas grand-chose to describe a lack of change.Tatoeba #4854040 by sacredceltic, translation #4496479 by CK
- Il n'y a pas grand-chose à dire.There's not much to say.This sentence uses pas grand-chose to express that there is little to say.Tatoeba #4431287 by sacredceltic, translation #1126035 by CK
- Il n'y a pas grand-chose à visiter.There's not much to visit.This sentence uses pas grand-chose to indicate there is little to visit.Tatoeba #3272277 by Micsmithel, translation #3272276 by Jesse
- Pas grand-chose.Not much.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are talking about a movie they just saw.
- ManonTu as aimé le film ?Did you like the movie?
- GabrielNon, il n'y avait pas grand-chose d'intéressant.No, there wasn't much that was interesting.
- ManonDommage, Gabriel.That's a shame, Gabriel.
- GabrielOui, c'était vraiment ennuyeux.Yes, it was really boring.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries grand-chose, pas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
