appeler un chat un chat
To be close to
بهطور تحتاللفظی: To call a cat a cat
Use this phrase when you want to stop being polite and start being honest about a situation.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Speak plainly and stop using euphemisms or vague language.
- The French equivalent of 'calling a spade a spade.'
- Use it to introduce a blunt or uncomfortable truth.
معنی
It means to speak plainly and call things exactly what they are. You use it when you want to stop sugarcoating a situation and just tell the blunt truth.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Talking to a friend about their bad relationship
À un moment, il faut appeler un chat un chat : il ne te respecte pas.
At some point, you have to call a spade a spade: he doesn't respect you.
A business meeting about a failing product
Appelons un chat un chat, ce lancement est un échec total.
Let's call a spade a spade, this launch is a total failure.
Discussing politics with family
Je préfère appeler un chat un chat, cette loi est injuste.
I prefer to call a spade a spade, this law is unfair.
زمینه فرهنگی
The expression gained popularity in the 17th century through the works of Nicolas Boileau, who used it to advocate for realism in literature. It reflects the French Enlightenment's push for reason and clarity over the obscure language of the aristocracy. Today, it remains a staple of French rhetoric, emphasizing that truth is more important than social decorum.
The 'Il faut' trick
This phrase almost always sounds better when preceded by `Il faut` (It is necessary to). It gives you the authority of someone speaking the truth.
Don't be too mean
Because this phrase signals 'brutal honesty,' make sure your audience is ready for it. In French culture, being direct is valued, but don't use it to be needlessly cruel.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Speak plainly and stop using euphemisms or vague language.
- The French equivalent of 'calling a spade a spade.'
- Use it to introduce a blunt or uncomfortable truth.
What It Means
Imagine you are looking at a cat. You wouldn't call it a dog or a fluffy cloud. You call it a cat. This phrase is all about honesty. It means being direct. It means avoiding euphemisms. If a situation is a disaster, you call it a disaster. You are choosing clarity over politeness. It is the French version of 'calling a spade a spade.'
How To Use It
You usually drop this into a conversation when things feel vague. Use it to introduce a hard truth. You can say, Il faut appeler un chat un chat. This translates to 'We must call a cat a cat.' It acts like a verbal green light. It tells everyone that the polite small talk is over. Now, the real talk begins. It is a very satisfying phrase to say.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend is dating someone terrible. They keep making excuses for the person. You lean in and say, Écoute, il faut appeler un chat un chat. Use it at work during a failing project. If the 'synergy' is actually 'chaos,' say it. It works great in debates or serious discussions. It shows you are a straight shooter. It shows you value the truth.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this during very delicate emotional moments. If someone is grieving, don't use it to be 'blunt.' It can sound a bit harsh or impatient. Do not use it if you are trying to be diplomatic. It is the opposite of diplomacy. Also, don't use it for literal animals. If you see a cat, just say C'est un chat. Adding the idiom there just makes you look confused.
Cultural Background
This phrase has been around since the 1600s. A poet named Nicolas Boileau made it famous. He wrote about calling things by their names. Back then, people loved flowery, indirect language. Boileau wanted to strip that away. It represents a core French value: intellectual honesty. The French appreciate someone who can analyze a situation accurately. Even if the truth is uncomfortable, it is respected.
Common Variations
You might hear Disons les choses comme elles sont. This means 'Let's say things as they are.' Another one is Ne pas mâcher ses mots. That means 'To not chew one's words.' But appeler un chat un chat is the classic. It is the most poetic way to be unpoetic. It stays in your head because of the simple repetition.
نکات کاربردی
This phrase is incredibly versatile and fits into almost any conversation where clarity is needed. It sits perfectly in the 'neutral' register, making it a safe but powerful tool for any B2-level speaker.
The 'Il faut' trick
This phrase almost always sounds better when preceded by `Il faut` (It is necessary to). It gives you the authority of someone speaking the truth.
Don't be too mean
Because this phrase signals 'brutal honesty,' make sure your audience is ready for it. In French culture, being direct is valued, but don't use it to be needlessly cruel.
The Cat Obsession
French has many 'cat' idioms. While English uses 'spade,' the French chose 'cat' because in the 17th century, 'chat' was also slang for something scandalous. Calling it a 'chat' was a bold move!
مثالها
6À un moment, il faut appeler un chat un chat : il ne te respecte pas.
At some point, you have to call a spade a spade: he doesn't respect you.
Used here to break through a friend's denial.
Appelons un chat un chat, ce lancement est un échec total.
Let's call a spade a spade, this launch is a total failure.
Professional but very direct to address a problem.
Je préfère appeler un chat un chat, cette loi est injuste.
I prefer to call a spade a spade, this law is unfair.
Expressing a strong, clear opinion.
On peut appeler un chat un chat ? Cette soirée est nulle !
Can we call a spade a spade? This party sucks!
Casual and relatable observation.
Manger une pizza entière n'est pas un régime, appelons un chat un chat.
Eating a whole pizza isn't a diet, let's call a spade a spade.
Using the phrase to point out a funny contradiction.
Monsieur, il est temps d'appeler un chat un chat concernant votre budget.
Sir, it is time to call a spade a spade regarding your budget.
Used to demand transparency in a formal setting.
خودت رو بسنج
Complete the sentence to tell your friend to be honest about the bad weather.
Il pleut des cordes, il faut ___ un chat un chat : les vacances sont gâchées.
The full idiom is `appeler un chat un chat`.
Choose the correct noun to complete the idiom.
Je ne vais pas mentir, appelons un ___ un ___.
The idiom specifically uses 'chat' (cat), even though other animals wouldn't change the logic.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality Level of 'Appeler un chat un chat'
Used with friends to be blunt.
C'est nul, appelons un chat un chat.
Perfect for most daily situations.
Il faut appeler un chat un chat.
Used in journalism or debates.
Le ministre doit appeler un chat un chat.
When to Call a Cat a Cat
Bad Service
The food was cold.
Relationship Talk
It's over.
Work Crisis
The deadline is impossible.
Self-Reflection
I'm being lazy.
سوالات متداول
11 سوالNo, it is purely metaphorical. It means being direct and honest, similar to 'calling a spade a spade' in English.
Yes, it is very common in professional settings to signal that you are getting to the point. For example: Appelons un chat un chat, ce projet est en retard.
It's not rude, but it is blunt. It shows you are tired of pretending or using euphemisms.
The closest equivalent is 'to call a spade a spade' or 'to tell it like it is.'
No, the idiom is fixed with 'chat.' Changing the animal would make the phrase lose its meaning.
Not at all. While it's an old expression, it is used daily by people of all ages in France.
Yes, if you need to have a 'talk' about the relationship. Il faut appeler un chat un chat, ça ne marche plus entre nous.
You usually use the infinitive appeler after il faut or on doit, or the imperative appelons (let's call).
A more informal way to say this is dire les termes, which is popular with younger generations.
Historically, 'chat' was used in poetry to represent something simple or even something slightly taboo, making the act of naming it a sign of courage.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend without any issues.
عبارات مرتبط
Ne pas mâcher ses mots
To not mince words / To speak one's mind
Dire les quatre vérités
To tell someone the harsh truth
Franchir le rubicon
To pass the point of no return
Mettre les points sur les i
To make things crystal clear
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