très chic
The English phrase "very fancy" is translated into French as très chic.
très chic is used for things that are 'classy' or 'stylish' rather than just 'expensive' or 'ornate'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb très (very) and the adjective chic (chic/stylish).
Which one should you use?
Use Extrêmement raffiné, D'une grande élégance or Vraiment sophistiqué in formal contexts. For informal settings, you might use Vachement chic, Super classe or Vraiment chicissime.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective chic is invariable in gender, so très chic can be used for both masculine and feminine subjects.
Did you know?
- If you are in a very casual setting, using vachement chic is common, but be aware that vachement literally stems from the word for 'cow', used as an intensifier similar to 'bloody' in British English.
- The word chic is a linguistic traveler that likely entered French from the German word Schick, which originally referred to a person's appearance or manner of presentation.
Examples in context
- Cette soirée était vraiment sophistiquée.This party was truly sophisticated.
- J'adore ta robe, elle est vachement chic.I love your dress, it's really fancy.
- Cet hôtel est d'un standing très élevé.This hotel is of very high standing.
- La cuisine de ce restaurant est d'un grand raffinement.The cuisine in this restaurant is very fancy.
- C'est un restaurant très chic.It is a very fancy restaurant.
- Ce restaurant est très chic.This restaurant is very fancy.
- Elle porte une robe très chic.She is wearing a very fancy dress.
- C'est un hôtel très chic.It is a very fancy hotel.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are walking past a luxury boutique.
- GabrielRegarde cette boutique, elle est très chic.Look at this boutique, it is very fancy.
- ChloéOui, mais c'est trop cher pour moi.Yes, but it is too expensive for me.
- GabrielC'est vrai, c'est un endroit très chic.That's true, it is a very fancy place.
- ChloéAllons plutôt dans un café simple.Let's go to a simple cafe instead.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chic, très, CC BY-SA 4.0.
