tâtonnements
The English phrase 'trial and error' is translated into French as tâtonnements.
This term describes the process of finding a solution by learning from mistakes. It is most commonly used with the preposition par to describe the method used to reach a result, as in par tâtonnements (by trial and error).
Meaning: solution by learning from mistakes (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
While the plural tâtonnements is often used to describe a series of attempts, the singular form le tâtonnement can be used to refer to the general process of trial and error.
Did you know?
- The root of tâtonnements is related to the word tâter, which is used when a doctor feels a patient's abdomen during a physical exam.
- In French, tâtonner can be used to describe someone who is hesitating or struggling to find the right words during a speech.
- French thinkers often use tâtonnement in philosophy to describe the unpredictable way humans evolve through small accidental discoveries.
Examples in context
- La meilleure solution ne peut être trouvée que par tâtonnements.The best solution can only be found by a process of trial and error.This sentence shows how to use tâtonnements to describe a method for finding a solution.Tatoeba #9981173 by gillux, translation #3581866 by vvv123
- L’expérience humaine de la traduction, de sa difficulté, de ses tâtonnements, constitue une richesse irremplaçable. Les passages d’un univers mental à un autre, les voyages instructifs qui en découlent, les écarts qu’on y explore ne doivent pas être annulés. On y perdrait en humanité.The human experience of text translation, with all its difficulty and its trial and error, constitutes an irreplaceable richness. The paths from one mental universe to another, the instructive journeys that flow from it and the gaps that one explores there must not be lost sight of, lest we thereby lose our humanity.This sentence uses tâtonnements to describe the difficulties and trial and error involved in the human experience of translation.Tatoeba #7962232 by sacredceltic, translation #8112962 by Objectivesea
- Son tâtonnement dans l'apprentissage du français a porté ses fruits.His trial and error in learning French has paid off.
- Face à ce problème complexe, nous avons utilisé des essais successifs pour trouver la solution adéquate.Faced with this complex problem, we used trial and error to find the appropriate solution.
- En recherchant un traitement pour cette maladie rare, les scientifiques ont suivi une méthode empirique basée sur le tâtonnement.While searching for a treatment for this rare disease, scientists followed an empirical method based on trial and error.
- Ce projet a avancé par de nombreux tâtonnements.This project progressed through much trial and error.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are discussing a difficult coding problem at work.
- NathanLe code est complexe et demande beaucoup de tâtonnements.The code is complex and requires a lot of trial and error.
- EmmaC'est vrai, mais c'est ainsi qu'on apprend.That's true, but that is how one learns.
- NathanTu as raison, Emma, il faut être patient.You're right, Emma, we have to be patient.
- EmmaOn finira par trouver la solution, Nathan.We will eventually find the solution, Nathan.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
