quel but
The English phrase "what a goal" is translated into French as quel but.
This phrase is an exclamation used to express admiration for a great score in a game like soccer. Depending on the level of formality or the specific nuance you want to convey, you might use different variations: Quel but de folie ! is an informal way to say "What a crazy goal!", while the slang expression Quel but de ouf ! is used to say "What a crazy goal!" For a more colloquial approach, you can say Trop fort ce but ! to mean "So cool, that goal!"
How does it change in a sentence?
Because but is a masculine noun, the exclamatory determiner quel stays in its masculine singular form.
Did you know?
- The slang version Quel but de ouf ! uses ouf, which is the word fou (crazy) spelled backward in a style called Verlan.
- The word but shares an unexpected history with the English word 'butt', which originally referred to a tree stump or a log used as a target in medieval training.
- In French, the word but is used for both a sports goal and a life goal or purpose. A person might say mon but dans la vie to describe their ultimate ambition.
Examples in context
- Quel but incroyable !What an incredible goal!
- Oh, quel but de sa part !Oh, what a goal from him!
Example conversation
Two friends are watching a soccer match on TV.
- ChloéQuel but !What a goal!
- NathanC'est vraiment impressionnant.It is truly impressive.
- ChloéIl est très talentueux.He is very talented.
- NathanOui, il est génial.Yes, he is great.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries but, quel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
