A2 Collocation Neutral 3 min de lectura

une difficile conséquence

a difficult consequence

Use this phrase to describe a negative but logical outcome of a choice or event.

En 15 segundos

  • A tough result following a specific action or decision.
  • Used for both minor blunders and serious life events.
  • Placing the adjective first adds emphasis and emotional weight.

Significado

This phrase refers to a tough or unpleasant result that follows an action or decision. It is the 'price to pay' when something doesn't go quite right or a situation becomes complicated.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 7
1

Forgetting an umbrella

Être mouillé est une difficile conséquence de mon oubli.

Being wet is a difficult consequence of my forgetfulness.

😊
2

Eating too much spicy food

J'ai mal au ventre, c'est une difficile conséquence du piment.

My stomach hurts; it's a difficult consequence of the chili.

😄
3

Missing a project deadline

Le retard du projet est une difficile conséquence pour l'équipe.

The project delay is a difficult consequence for the team.

💼
🌍

Contexto cultural

The French often use the word 'conséquence' to emphasize the logical link between an action and its result. This reflects the Cartesian influence in French education, where cause and effect are central to debate. Using 'difficile' before the noun adds a literary or emphatic flair common in French media and formal discussions.

💡

The Adjective Trick

While most French adjectives go after the noun, short ones like 'difficile' can jump to the front for emphasis. It sounds much more dramatic!

⚠️

Don't Be Too Positive

Never use this for a good result. If you say 'winning is a difficult consequence,' French people will think you are very unhappy about winning!

En 15 segundos

  • A tough result following a specific action or decision.
  • Used for both minor blunders and serious life events.
  • Placing the adjective first adds emphasis and emotional weight.

What It Means

This phrase describes a tough result of an action. It is the fallout from a specific choice. Think of it as the price you must pay. It is not just any result. It is a result that brings some trouble. It makes your daily life a bit harder.

How To Use It

You can use this phrase in many ways. It often follows the verb être or avoir. For example, you can say c'est une difficile conséquence. Notice the adjective difficile comes before the noun here. This is a stylistic choice in French. It makes the consequence feel more heavy. It sounds more serious than putting it after the noun. You can also use it as a subject. Cette difficile conséquence change tout is a good example.

When To Use It

Use it when things do not go as planned. Maybe you forgot your keys at home. Now you are locked out in the rain. That is une difficile conséquence of your forgetfulness. Use it in professional meetings to discuss risks. It sounds clear and very logical. It also works when talking about life choices. Moving to a new city has its challenges. Those challenges are the difficiles conséquences of moving.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this for happy surprises. If you find money, that is not a conséquence. Avoid using it for physical objects too. A heavy suitcase is not a difficile conséquence. It is just a heavy suitcase. Also, do not use it for simple tasks. A hard math problem is just un problème difficile. Keep this phrase for the results of actions.

Cultural Background

French people value logic and clear thinking. They love to analyze why things happen. This is part of the famous esprit critique. People often discuss the conséquence of every move. It shows you are taking responsibility. It also shows you understand the situation. In France, admitting a mistake is often respected. Discussing the fallout is the first step to fixing it.

Common Variations

You might hear people say une conséquence lourde. This literally means a 'heavy consequence'. It sounds even more serious than difficile. You could also say un résultat fâcheux. This means an 'unfortunate result'. If the situation is very bad, use tragique. Une conséquence tragique is for very sad events. For small things, use un petit souci.

Notas de uso

This phrase is neutral and versatile. While the adjective placement before the noun is slightly more formal, it is widely used in all contexts to emphasize the difficulty of a situation.

💡

The Adjective Trick

While most French adjectives go after the noun, short ones like 'difficile' can jump to the front for emphasis. It sounds much more dramatic!

⚠️

Don't Be Too Positive

Never use this for a good result. If you say 'winning is a difficult consequence,' French people will think you are very unhappy about winning!

💬

The Logic Secret

French speakers love the word 'donc' (therefore). Using 'conséquence' shows you are following the logic of the situation, which is a highly valued trait in French conversation.

Ejemplos

7
#1 Forgetting an umbrella
😊

Être mouillé est une difficile conséquence de mon oubli.

Being wet is a difficult consequence of my forgetfulness.

A simple, everyday example of cause and effect.

#2 Eating too much spicy food
😄

J'ai mal au ventre, c'est une difficile conséquence du piment.

My stomach hurts; it's a difficult consequence of the chili.

Relatable and slightly humorous physical result.

#3 Missing a project deadline
💼

Le retard du projet est une difficile conséquence pour l'équipe.

The project delay is a difficult consequence for the team.

Professional context showing impact on others.

#4 Texting a friend about staying up late
😊

Fatigué ce matin... une difficile conséquence de ma série !

Tired this morning... a difficult consequence of my series!

Shortened version used in informal texting.

#5 Buying a drum set for a toddler
😄

Le bruit constant est une difficile conséquence de ce cadeau.

The constant noise is a difficult consequence of this gift.

A humorous take on a well-intentioned mistake.

#6 Losing touch with a friend
💭

Leur silence est une difficile conséquence de cette dispute.

Their silence is a difficult consequence of this argument.

Emotional context regarding relationships.

#7 A budget cut at work
👔

Nous devons réduire les effectifs, une difficile conséquence de la crise.

We must reduce staff, a difficult consequence of the crisis.

Formal and serious business context.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the sentence with the correct word order for emphasis.

Perdre mon téléphone est ___ ___.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: une difficile conséquence

In this specific phrase, 'difficile' comes before 'conséquence' to add weight to the result.

Choose the best situation to use this phrase.

Tu utilises cette phrase quand ___.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: tu rates ton train

Missing a train leads to a negative result, which fits the meaning of 'une difficile conséquence'.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality Spectrum of 'Une difficile conséquence'

Informal

Texting a friend about a hangover.

Trop de vin... difficile conséquence !

Neutral

Talking to a colleague about a mistake.

C'est une difficile conséquence de l'erreur.

Formal

A news report on economic changes.

Une difficile conséquence pour l'économie.

When to use 'Une difficile conséquence'

Une difficile conséquence
✈️

Life Choices

Moving to a new country.

💼

Work Errors

Missing a big meeting.

👛

Daily Blunders

Forgetting your wallet.

😴

Health

Feeling tired after a party.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

In everyday speech, 'une conséquence difficile' is standard. However, placing 'difficile' first is common in writing or when you want to sound more emphatic.

Not really. A math problem is just un problème difficile. A 'conséquence' must be the result of a previous action.

No, it is very neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or your best friend without any issues.

The plural is des difficiles conséquences. Note that in formal French, 'des' often becomes 'de' before an adjective, like de difficiles conséquences.

Yes! Une dure conséquence is very common and sounds a bit more 'raw' or 'harsh' than 'difficile'.

Yes, 'difficile' implies a struggle. If the result is good, use une conséquence positive or un bon résultat.

The ending '-quence' sounds like 'kon-say-kahns'. Make sure to get that nasal 'an' sound at the end!

Absolutely. It is a professional way to describe a challenge resulting from a business decision.

Une suite is just what happens next. Une conséquence implies that the first action specifically caused the second thing to happen.

In casual speech, you might just say C'est dur (It's hard) or C'est moche (That's bad/ugly) to describe the situation.

Frases relacionadas

un effet secondaire

un retour de bâton

assumer les conséquences

une suite logique

¿Te ha servido?
¡No hay comentarios todavía. Sé el primero en compartir tus ideas!

Empieza a aprender idiomas gratis

Empieza Gratis