partiellement douteux
partiellement douteux
Use it to express nuanced skepticism when something feels fishy but not entirely false.
في 15 ثانية
- Used for things that seem only half-true or slightly suspicious.
- Perfect for expressing polite skepticism in professional or social settings.
- Describes information, excuses, or claims that lack full credibility.
المعنى
This phrase describes something that isn't a total lie, but it definitely feels fishy or unreliable. Use it when you suspect only part of what you're hearing is true.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Reacting to a friend's excuse
Ton explication pour ton retard me semble partiellement douteuse.
Your explanation for being late seems partially doubtful to me.
Discussing a news article
Les chiffres cités dans cet article sont partiellement douteux.
The figures cited in this article are partially questionable.
In a professional meeting
Le calendrier de ce projet paraît partiellement douteux vu nos ressources.
The timeline for this project seems partially doubtful given our resources.
خلفية ثقافية
The French have a long history of philosophical skepticism, from Descartes to Voltaire. Expressing doubt isn't seen as negative; it's seen as an essential part of a healthy debate. This phrase reflects the cultural preference for nuance over black-and-white thinking.
The Agreement Rule
Don't forget that 'douteux' changes to 'douteuse' for feminine nouns. 'Un plan douteux' but 'une offre douteuse'.
Don't be too blunt
Calling someone's words 'douteux' is more polite than calling them a 'mensonge' (lie), but it still implies you don't trust them.
في 15 ثانية
- Used for things that seem only half-true or slightly suspicious.
- Perfect for expressing polite skepticism in professional or social settings.
- Describes information, excuses, or claims that lack full credibility.
What It Means
Imagine your friend says they missed your party because their cat learned to lock doors. That sounds partiellement douteux. It means something is partially doubtful or questionable. It is not a complete rejection of the truth. Instead, it suggests that some parts of the story don't add up. It is the perfect middle ground between believing and accusing someone of lying.
How To Use It
You use it as an adjective phrase to describe nouns. You can say an excuse is partiellement douteux. You can also describe a source of information this way. It usually follows the verb être or sembler. It is a very flexible phrase for daily life. It allows you to express skepticism without being overly aggressive.
When To Use It
Use this when you are reading a news article that seems biased. Use it at work when a colleague gives a vague project update. It is great for texting when a friend makes a wild claim. It works well in academic settings when discussing a weak theory. Even at a restaurant, a 'fresh' dish can feel partiellement douteux if it tastes frozen.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you are 100% certain someone is lying. In that case, use a stronger word like faux or mensonge. Avoid using it to describe a person's entire character directly. That can come across as a very heavy personal insult. It is better suited for specific statements, facts, or situations. If something is clearly dangerous, 'douteux' might be too soft a word.
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on 'l'esprit critique' or critical thinking. Being a skeptic is often seen as a sign of intelligence. You are not being rude; you are being discerning. In France, questioning the status quo is a national pastime. This phrase fits perfectly into that intellectual tradition of nuance. It shows you are paying attention to the details.
Common Variations
You might hear franchement douteux if something is really sketchy. If it is only a tiny bit suspicious, use un peu douteux. In professional reports, you might see sujet à caution. For a more slang version, people use the word louche. Each variation changes the intensity of your suspicion. Stick with partiellement douteux for a balanced, sophisticated level of doubt.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This phrase is neutral and safe for almost any situation. Just remember to match the gender of 'douteux' to the noun you are describing.
The Agreement Rule
Don't forget that 'douteux' changes to 'douteuse' for feminine nouns. 'Un plan douteux' but 'une offre douteuse'.
Don't be too blunt
Calling someone's words 'douteux' is more polite than calling them a 'mensonge' (lie), but it still implies you don't trust them.
The Skeptic's Charm
In France, showing a bit of doubt often makes you look more analytical and less gullible, which is highly respected in conversation.
أمثلة
6Ton explication pour ton retard me semble partiellement douteuse.
Your explanation for being late seems partially doubtful to me.
A polite way to tell a friend you don't quite believe them.
Les chiffres cités dans cet article sont partiellement douteux.
The figures cited in this article are partially questionable.
Used here to critique the reliability of data.
Le calendrier de ce projet paraît partiellement douteux vu nos ressources.
The timeline for this project seems partially doubtful given our resources.
A professional way to suggest a plan is unrealistic.
J'ai entendu dire qu'il partait, mais l'info est partiellement douteuse.
I heard he was leaving, but the info is partially sketchy.
Used to warn someone that gossip might not be fully true.
L'aspect de ce gâteau est partiellement douteux, mais il sent bon !
The look of this cake is partially questionable, but it smells good!
Using the phrase to joke about a failed cooking attempt.
Ses intentions me semblent malheureusement partiellement douteuses.
His intentions unfortunately seem partially doubtful to me.
Expressing a gut feeling about someone's sincerity.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence expressing skepticism about a story.
L'histoire qu'il a racontée hier soir était ___.
Since 'histoire' is a feminine noun, the adjective 'douteuse' must agree in gender.
Which adverb best fits the context of 'half-suspicious'?
Ce résultat est ___ douteux.
'Partiellement' means partially, which fits the context of being only somewhat suspicious.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Partiellement Douteux'
Using 'louche' with friends.
C'est louche, non ?
Using 'partiellement douteux' in most conversations.
C'est partiellement douteux.
Using 'sujet à caution' in a report.
Ces données sont sujettes à caution.
Where to use 'Partiellement Douteux'
At the Office
Questioning a vague budget report.
Reading News
Skepticism about a sensational headline.
With Friends
Reacting to a 'too good to be true' story.
Shopping
Looking at a product with weird claims.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, it's very close! 'Sketchy' is a bit more informal, while 'partiellement douteux' sounds slightly more precise and intellectual.
It's better to use it for things people say or do. Saying Cet homme est douteux implies he is a shady character, which is quite strong.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in a professional context to describe data or a proposal as partiellement douteux.
The feminine form is partiellement douteuse. For example: Une méthode partiellement douteuse.
You would say totalement douteux or tout à fait douteux to show you don't believe a single word.
The most common slang equivalent is louche or chelou (verlan). These are much more informal.
Absolutely. If a fish at the market smells a bit off, you can say Ce poisson est un peu douteux.
Incertain means you don't know the outcome, while douteux implies a suspicion that something is wrong or false.
Yes, in French, adverbs like partiellement almost always precede the adjective they modify.
Yes, it's a very standard collocation used by native speakers to express a measured level of skepticism.
عبارات ذات صلة
C'est louche
That's fishy/shady (informal)
Peu fiable
Unreliable
Sujet à caution
Open to question (formal)
Pas très clair
Not very clear / suspicious
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