facultatif
/fa.kyl.ta.tif/
The English word "optional" can be translated into French as facultatif or optionnel.
Meaning: not compulsory (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| facultatif | /fa.kyl.ta.tif/ |
| optionnel | /ɔp.sjɔ.nɛl/ |
Both terms are used to describe something that is not compulsory. In formal settings, you might also encounter the phrase non obligatoire to denote that something is not required or the expression à votre discrétion to indicate that a choice is left to your discretion.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both adjectives must agree in gender with the noun they modify. Facultatif becomes facultative when modifying a feminine noun, and optionnel becomes optionnelle for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /fa.kyl.ta.tif/ and consists of 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- While optionnel is a direct cognate of 'optional', it was historically viewed as an Anglicism. Purists previously insisted on facultatif because it felt more natively French.
- The word facultatif is rooted in the Latin word for 'ability' or 'power', suggesting that something is optional because you have the power to choose.
- French uses facultatif for things that are permitted by a rule, but libre is used when someone is 'free' to choose. For example, a 'free choice' is libre choix, not choix facultatif.
Examples in context
- Cela n'a rien de facultatif.It isn't optional.This sentence uses facultatif to emphasize that something is not optional.Tatoeba #3453795 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #2248744 by CK
- Le mot « le » est facultatif dans cette phrase.The word "the" is optional in this sentence.This sentence uses facultatif to show that a specific word is not required in a sentence.Tatoeba #792607 by felix63, translation #792608 by CM
- Même si c'est facultatif, tu devrais quand même faire les devoirs.Even though it's optional, you should still do the homework.This sentence uses facultatif to suggest that even if something is not mandatory, it is still advisable to do it.Tatoeba #4958938 by franlexcois, translation #4956693 by NatsuDonkey
- La participation est à votre discrétionParticipation is optional.
- Une réponse est facultativeA response is optional.
- Champ non obligatoireNon-obligatory field.
- Tu peux choisir ta propre musique si tu veuxYou can choose your own music if you want.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are discussing a training course at work.
- HugoCe cours est-il obligatoire ?Is this course compulsory?
- ManonNon, c'est facultatif pour nous.No, it is optional for us.
- HugoEst-ce que tu vas y aller ?Are you going to go?
- ManonOui, même si c'est facultatif.Yes, even if it is optional.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “optional” translations and entries facultatif, optionnel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries facultatif, optionnel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
