How to Say “Sounds Great” in French

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ça a l'air génial
To say sounds great in French, use ça a l'air génial. It is a warm, enthusiastic reply to a suggestion or a plan you like.
Use ça a l'air génial to show that you think an idea is a good one, for example when someone suggests dinner out or a weekend trip.

What does it mean word for word?

ça means that, and ça a l'air means it looks or it seems. génial adds the sense of great or brilliant.

Which one should you use?

Ça a l'air super is a very common alternative, since super is used all the time in spoken French for the same feeling. C'est une excellente idée means it is an excellent idea. Cela semble excellent. is a formal way to agree and show appreciation.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

ça a l'air génial is colloquial and suits friends and relaxed conversation. In a formal professional setting, C'est une excellente idée is the safer choice.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Quebec you may also hear C'est ben beau ça, a local way to say that is very nice or that is great.

How does it change in a sentence?

French uses the verb meaning to have in the third person singular, as in ça a, to say how something appears. English uses sounds, while French expresses the idea as looking or seeming.

Did you know?

  • The word ça has a linguistic history as a calque of the German word Es, which means 'it'.
  • The word génial is used as a casual everyday adjective in France, but it descends from the concept of a guiding spirit or 'genius'.

Examples in context

  • Ça a l'air génial !
    That sounds great.
    Here Ça a l'air génial stands alone as a full, enthusiastic reply.
    Tatoeba #1847558 by sacredceltic, translation #1839561 by CK
  • Ça a l'air super !
    That looks great!
  • Cela semble excellent.
    That sounds excellent.
  • Ton nouveau projet, ça a l'air génial.
    Your new project sounds great.
  • Un voyage en Italie ? Ça a l'air génial !
    A trip to Italy? That sounds great!

Example conversation

Lucas and Manon are planning a weekend trip.

  1. Lucas

    On pourrait aller à la plage.
    We could go to the beach.
  2. Manon

    Ça a l'air génial, Lucas !
    That sounds great, Lucas!
  3. Lucas

    Je réserve l'hôtel alors ?
    Should I book the hotel then?
  4. Manon

    Oui, s'il te plaît.
    Yes, please.

Sources

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Cole Russell
Cole RussellHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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