véritablement évident

You will mostly see this used with the verb être. The most common setup is C'est véritablement évident. You can also use it to describe a choice, a mistake, or a feeling. It acts as a powerful intensifier. It’s slightly more elegant than just saying très évident. It adds a layer of conviction to your statement. You are putting your foot down on the facts. It’s a great way to wrap up a logical argument.

Use this when you want to sound certain and persuasive. It works perfectly in a professional meeting when a solution is clear. It’s also great when gossiping with friends about a crush. If a friend asks if someone likes them, and it's clear, use this. You can use it when reviewing a movie with a predictable plot. It’s perfect for those moments where the answer is right under everyone's nose. Use it to cut through confusion and bring everyone back to reality.

Be careful not to sound condescending with this one. If someone is genuinely struggling to understand a concept, don't say this. It can feel like you are calling them slow. Avoid it in very delicate emotional situations where 'obvious' might feel dismissive. For example, don't use it if a friend is explaining their complex feelings. It might make their problems seem trivial. Also, try not to use it for things that are actually subjective. Your taste in music isn't véritablement évident to everyone else!

French culture places a high value on logic and 'la clarté' (clarity). This stems from the philosophical heritage of René Descartes. For the French, if something is logical, it is beautiful. Calling something évident is a nod to this intellectual tradition. It’s not just about being simple; it’s about being 'right' according to reason. In French schools, students are taught to build arguments that lead to an 'evident' conclusion. It’s a very satisfying word for a culture that loves a good debate.

You might hear c'est une évidence which means 'it is an obvious fact.' Another common one is c'est tout à fait évident, which is slightly more casual. If you want to be more poetic, you could say cela crève les yeux. That literally means 'it pokes your eyes out' because it's so visible! For a more formal tone, you might use il est manifeste que.... But véritablement évident remains the gold standard for emphasizing clarity with a touch of sophistication.