Is Zut alors rude?
Zut alors or zut! Zut which is more common than the old-fashioned “zut alors” is actually just a very polite way to say merde. It’s like saying “shucks” or “dang” to avoid swearing in front of people you shouldn’t swear in front of. So feel free to use this one as it won’t get you into any trouble at all.
Is donc informal?
I suppose “alors” is the most informal of them all? “alors” and “donc” are both commonly used. john_riemann_soong said: “Thus” historically in Old English is derived from the demonstrative pronoun, related to “this” and “that”.
How do the French use alors?
It can be used to mean ‘then’ or ‘in that case’. For example, Si tu sais conduire, alors tu peux prendre la voiture. (If you can drive, then you can take the car.) Or it can mean ‘so’, ‘well’ and in informal conversation, ‘so then’.
What is the difference between ensuite and puis?
In grammatical terms, ‘ensuite’ is an adverb whereas ‘puis’ is a conjunction. As a conjunction, ‘puis’ joins sentences together. That means it cannot simply be shoved at the end of a sentence, which ‘ensuite’ can: “Qu’est-ce qu’il a fait ensuite?” works, NOT “Qu’est-ce qu’il a fait puis?”.
Do French people actually say Je M Appelle?
Use the basic je m’appelle (zhuh mah-pehl) in most situations. This is the standard way to say “my name is” in French, and is appropriate in any occasion.
Can I start a sentence with donc?
Donc is fine, whether at the beginning of the sentence or rearranged as Kelly B suggests. I come across it all the time in academic articles and it’s also used in speech a lot.
What is a donc?
therefore, consequently; thus.
What is Puisje?
“Puis-je” comes from the verb “pouvoir” and means “may I”. It used to be the common way to ask for something: Puis-je téléphoner?
Is ensuite a conjunction?
Ensuite, however, can be used as a conjunction (as seen above) but can also be used as an adverb and placed at the end of a sentence.
What’s the difference between’donc’and’alors’?
“Donc” is a consequence without a sequence between the two clauses. It could be translate by ‘therefore’ in English. “Alors” is a consequence with a sequence involved the first part happens before the second.
When to use donc as an adverb in so?
In most cases it’s best to translate so (the one that starts a proposition 1) with donc used as an adverb 2, not as a conjunction. It suggests a light natural follow-up. Il avait froid, je lui ai donc donné ma veste. If the meaning of so is close to “ hence ” or “ from this observation ” (like in your example), then you may use alors.
When do you use Alors instead of so?
If the meaning of sois close to “hence” or “from this observation” (like in your example), then you may use alors. Il avait froid, alors je lui ai donné ma veste. But this has a strong flavor of oral communication3.
When do you use the word donc in French?
“Donc” can be used for a consequence, like “so” in English. Like in “il fait froid, donc je remets mon manteau” (it’s cold so I put my coat back on). By definition, it is also very similar to Therefore, Then, Thus, etc. “Donc” is used very often in french.