Chapter 43: Beyond Pas

Sometimes "Not" isn't enough. Stop "always" doing things, doing "something", or seeing "someone".

The Negative List

Toujours (Always)
Ne ... Jamais (Never)
Quelque chose (Something)
Ne ... Rien (Nothing)
Quelqu'un (Someone)
Ne ... Personne (No one)
Seulement (Only)
Ne ... Que (Only)

Dialogue: Le Pessimiste

Jean sees the glass half empty.

P
Pierre

Tu veux faire quelque chose ce soir ?

(Do you want to do something tonight?)

Non, je ne veux rien faire. Je suis fatigué.

(No, I don't want to do anything. I am tired.)
J
Jean
P
Pierre

Tu vois toujours tes amis ?

(Do you still see your friends?)

Non, je ne vois personne. Je ne parle qu'à mon chat.

(No, I see no one. I only speak to my cat.)
J
Jean

Le Coin Culturel: French Realism

Americans say "Awesome!". The French say "Pas mal" (Not bad). This isn't pessimism; it's a cultural preference for understatement and realism. Over-enthusiasm can be seen as insincere. So if you ask "How was the movie?" and the answer is "Pas terrible" (Not terrible), that actually means it was bad!

Negate It!


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