quelle coïncidence
quelle coïncidence is the French way to say "what a coincidence".
This phrase is an exclamation used when two similar events happen at the same time by chance.
Which one should you use?
An alternative is quel hasard, which also means "what a coincidence" or "what a stroke of luck". While quelle coïncidence focuses on the synchronicity of events, quel hasard is very common in conversation and can imply a sense of luck or fate.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because coïncidence is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine form of the adjective, quelle, rather than the masculine quel.
Did you know?
- The word hasard is believed by some linguists to have entered French from the Arabic word al-zahr, meaning 'the die' used in gambling.
- While quelle coïncidence is literal, French speakers often use quel hasard to describe a coincidence. In this context, hasard refers to chance or randomness rather than a physical hazard.
- The word coïncidence shares its roots with the Latin verb 'cadere', meaning 'to fall'. This implies the word's literal origin is a 'falling together' of events.
Examples in context
- Quelle coïncidence !What a coincidence!This example shows how to use the phrase quelle coïncidence as an exclamation.Tatoeba #478093 by sacredceltic, translation #18131 by CK
- Quelle coïncidence d'être ici ce soir !What a coincidence to be here tonight!
- Oh, quelle coïncidence, nous avons le même âge.Oh, what a coincidence, we are the same age.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo run into each other at a café.
- ManonHugo ! Quelle coïncidence de te voir ici !Hugo! What a coincidence to see you here!
- HugoSalut Manon ! Je ne m'attendais pas à te croiser.Hi Manon! I wasn't expecting to run into you.
- ManonMoi non plus, je commande juste un café.Me neither, I am just ordering a coffee.
- HugoC'est drôle, je vais faire la même chose.That's funny, I'm going to do the same thing.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coïncidence, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
