vice versa
The English phrase "vice versa" can be translated into French as vice versa or réciproquement.
Meaning: the other way round (adv)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| vice versa | |
| réciproquement | /ʁe.si.pʁɔk.mɑ̃/ |
The phrase vice versa is a direct loan from Latin and is used in French exactly like its English counterpart to indicate that a previously stated relationship or direction also applies in the opposite order. The word réciproquement can be used to express 'vice versa' to convey reciprocity or mutual exchange.
Which one should you use?
While vice versa is used as an adverbial phrase to mean 'the other way around', réciproquement is a single adverb meaning 'reciprocally' and is often preferred in more formal or mathematical contexts.
Did you know?
- The word réciproquement is built from the Latin 'reciprocus', which describes a 'returning motion' or a 'back-and-forth' movement, much like a pendulum.
- The concept of reciprocity in French often extends to the verb réciproquer, which is used when someone returns a gesture or a feeling in kind.
- In casual spoken French, people often avoid both phrases and simply say et inversement, which literally means 'and inversely'.
Examples in context
- Il est difficile de penser du français à l'anglais puis de traduire en allemand et vice versa.It's hard to think from French to English and then translate to German, and vice versa.This sentence shows how to use vice versa when describing a sequence of translation directions.Tatoeba #10838258 by felix63, translation #10950845 by DJ_Saidez
- Les données peuvent être transmises de l'ordinateur principal à votre propre ordinateur, et vice versa.Data can be transmitted from the main computer to yours, and vice versa.This sentence illustrates the use of vice versa regarding the direction of data transmission.Tatoeba #12674 by mouche, translation #39650 by CM
- Est-ce que la Terre tourne d'est en ouest ou vice versa ?Does The Earth move from East to West or vice-versa?This sentence demonstrates using vice versa to express the reverse of a physical direction.Tatoeba #6318573 by Adelpa, translation #6318524 by kyle7667
- On se soutient mutuellement, et réciproquementWe support each other, and vice versa
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are discussing their mutual respect for each other's work.
- LéaJe respecte beaucoup ton travail et vice versa.I respect your work a lot, and vice versa.
- GabrielC'est très gentil, je pense la même chose de toi.That is very kind, I feel the same way about you.
- LéaOn forme une bonne équipe, n'est-ce pas ?We make a good team, don't we?
- GabrielOui, absolument.Yes, absolutely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vice versa” translations and entries vice versa, réciproquement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries réciproquement, vice, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
