ce que l'on gagne d'un côté, on le perd de l'autre
The English phrase "swings and roundabouts" can be expressed in French as ce que l'on gagne d'un côté, on le perd de l'autre.
This phrase is used to describe a situation where any benefits or gains achieved in one area are balanced out by losses or drawbacks in another, leading to an overall net result of zero or no significant change.
Did you know?
- The phrase uses l'on instead of just on to avoid the sound qu'on, which is a homophone for a French insult.
- The word ce in this phrase is a descendant of the Vulgar Latin phrase ecce ille, which essentially meant 'behold that'.
- The word on used in this phrase evolved from the old French word homme, meaning 'man'.
Examples in context
- Prends le taxi ou le métro, c'est du pareil au même.Take a taxi or the subway, it's swings and roundabouts.
- Nous avons essayé différentes méthodes, mais finalement, c'est du pareil au même.We tried different approaches, but in the end, it's all the same.
- Ce n'est rien, ce que l'on gagne d'un côté, on le perd de l'autre.It's nothing, what one gains on one side, one loses on the other.
- C'est la vie : ce que l'on gagne d'un côté, on le perd de l'autre.That's life: what one gains on one side, one loses on the other.
- Au final, ce que l'on gagne d'un côté, on le perd de l'autre.In the end, what one gains on one side, one loses on the other.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are discussing the results of a complex business deal.
- ChloéOn a fait des bénéfices, mais les frais ont augmenté.We made a profit, but the expenses increased.
- NathanC'est le principe de ce que l'on gagne d'un côté, on le perd de l'autre.It's the principle of what one gains on one side, one loses on the other.
- ChloéTu as raison, Nathan, le bilan est équilibré.You are right, Nathan, the balance is even.
- NathanExactement, on n'est ni gagnants ni perdants.Exactly, we are neither winners nor losers.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ce, côté, l'on, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
