B1 Collocation フォーマル 3分で読める

un inexact but

the inexact goal

直訳: an inexact goal

Use this to describe a vision or plan that is still beautifully blurry and undefined.

15秒でわかる

  • A target or objective that lacks specific details or clarity.
  • Used to describe evolving dreams or vague strategic visions.
  • Sounds more literary and sophisticated than standard everyday French.

意味

This phrase describes a target or objective that is vague, poorly defined, or slightly off-target. It is like having a general direction in mind without knowing the specific destination.

主な例文

3 / 6
1

Discussing a new hobby

Apprendre le piano est pour moi un inexact but pour l'instant.

Learning the piano is a vague goal for me for now.

😊
2

In a corporate strategy meeting

Nous ne devons pas nous contenter d'un inexact but pour ce trimestre.

We must not settle for an inexact goal for this quarter.

💼
3

Texting a friend about life plans

Partir à l'étranger ? C'est encore un inexact but, mais j'y pense.

Moving abroad? It's still a vague goal, but I'm thinking about it.

🤝
🌍

文化的背景

The French language often uses adjective placement to change the emotional weight of a sentence. Placing 'inexact' before the noun 'but' is a stylistic choice that suggests a more abstract or philosophical quality. This reflects the French intellectual tradition of valuing the journey and the conceptual framework over raw data.

💡

The 'T' is not silent

In the word `but` (goal), you actually pronounce the 't' at the end. It sounds like 'boot' but with a French 'u' sound.

⚠️

Adjective Order Matters

While you can say `un but inexact`, putting `inexact` first makes you sound much more sophisticated and 'French'.

15秒でわかる

  • A target or objective that lacks specific details or clarity.
  • Used to describe evolving dreams or vague strategic visions.
  • Sounds more literary and sophisticated than standard everyday French.

What It Means

Imagine you are throwing darts while wearing blurry glasses. You know where the board is, but the bullseye is a smudge. That is un inexact but. It represents an intention that lacks precision. You have a desire to achieve something. However, you haven't hammered out the details yet. It is the opposite of a 'SMART' goal. It is poetic, a bit messy, and very human.

How To Use It

You will mostly see this in writing or formal discussions. In French, adjectives usually follow the noun. Placing inexact before but makes it sound more literary. It emphasizes the 'inexactness' of the situation. You can use it as a subject or an object. For example, C'est un inexact but que nous poursuivons. It sounds sophisticated and thoughtful. Use it when you want to sound like a philosopher over your morning espresso.

When To Use It

Use it when discussing long-term dreams that are still evolving. It is perfect for a first draft of a business plan. Use it when you are being honest about your lack of direction. It fits well in a meeting about 'vision' rather than 'logistics'. You might use it when texting a friend about your vague weekend plans. It adds a touch of intellectual flair to your uncertainty.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this in a professional sports context. A goal in soccer is either in or out. There is no 'inexact' goal on the field! Avoid it when someone asks for clear, technical instructions. If your boss asks for a deadline, don't say it's un inexact but. They want a date, not a poem. Also, don't confuse it with a 'wrong' goal. It is not wrong; it is just blurry.

Cultural Background

French culture often values the 'nuance' and the 'flou' (the blur). While the Germans might want a blueprint, the French often appreciate the 'art of the possible'. This phrase reflects a certain intellectual comfort with ambiguity. Historically, French literature loves exploring characters with vague, searching desires. It is less about the finish line and more about the search itself.

Common Variations

You might hear un objectif flou for something more casual. Une cible imprécise is used for more technical settings. If you want to be very formal, try une finalité incertaine. However, un inexact but remains the most evocative way to describe a dream that hasn't quite crystallized yet.

使い方のコツ

This phrase is most at home in written essays, formal speeches, or intellectual debates. If you use it with friends, you might come across as a bit of a philosopher—which isn't necessarily a bad thing in France!

💡

The 'T' is not silent

In the word `but` (goal), you actually pronounce the 't' at the end. It sounds like 'boot' but with a French 'u' sound.

⚠️

Adjective Order Matters

While you can say `un but inexact`, putting `inexact` first makes you sound much more sophisticated and 'French'.

💬

Embrace the Blur

In France, admitting a goal is 'inexact' isn't always a confession of failure; it's often seen as being honest about the complexity of a task.

例文

6
#1 Discussing a new hobby
😊

Apprendre le piano est pour moi un inexact but pour l'instant.

Learning the piano is a vague goal for me for now.

The speaker wants to learn but hasn't set a schedule or specific outcome.

#2 In a corporate strategy meeting
💼

Nous ne devons pas nous contenter d'un inexact but pour ce trimestre.

We must not settle for an inexact goal for this quarter.

The speaker is pushing for more precision in the company's targets.

#3 Texting a friend about life plans
🤝

Partir à l'étranger ? C'est encore un inexact but, mais j'y pense.

Moving abroad? It's still a vague goal, but I'm thinking about it.

Shows the speaker is considering an idea without a solid plan.

#4 A humorous take on a diet
😄

Ma perte de poids est un inexact but face à ce croissant.

My weight loss is an inexact goal when faced with this croissant.

Uses the phrase to mock one's own lack of discipline.

#5 Discussing a character in a novel
👔

Le héros poursuit un inexact but tout au long du récit.

The hero pursues an inexact goal throughout the story.

A classic literary analysis of a character's motivation.

#6 Expressing personal confusion
💭

Je me sens perdu avec cet inexact but devant moi.

I feel lost with this vague goal ahead of me.

Conveys a sense of emotional uncertainty regarding the future.

自分をテスト

Choose the correct word to complete the phrase describing a vague plan.

Son projet de voyage reste un ___ but.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: inexact

The adjective 'inexact' modifies the noun 'but' to describe the goal as vague.

Which noun fits best with 'inexact' to describe a blurry objective?

Nous suivons un inexact ___.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: but

'But' means goal or aim, which fits the context of following an objective.

🎉 スコア: /2

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Formality of 'Un inexact but'

Informal

Friends talking about dinner.

On a un plan flou.

Neutral

General conversation about plans.

C'est un objectif imprécis.

Formal

Literary or professional context.

Nous poursuivons un inexact but.

When to use 'Un inexact but'

Un inexact but
✍️

Writing a novel

Describing a protagonist's vague desires.

📊

Strategy Session

Critiquing a lack of KPIs.

💭

Life Coaching

Identifying undefined dreams.

🎨

Art Critique

Discussing the ambiguous intent of a painting.

よくある質問

11 問

No, it just means it is not clearly defined. It is like a sketch rather than a finished photograph.

It is less common in casual speech. You are more likely to hear un objectif flou in a cafe.

You pronounce the 't'. It sounds like bu-t. If you don't pronounce the 't', people might think you are saying bu (drank).

Generally, no. In sports, a goal is very exact. Using it there would sound like a confusing joke.

It is a stylistic choice. In French, moving an adjective to the front often adds emotional or poetic emphasis.

They are very close. Inexact often implies a slight error, while imprécis implies a lack of detail.

Yes, if you are discussing high-level vision. It sounds professional and intellectual.

The opposite would be un but précis or un objectif clair.

It is always un because but is a masculine noun.

No, it describes an objective or a target, not a person's character.

Slightly. It is the kind of phrase used by people who enjoy deep conversations and literature.

関連フレーズ

Un objectif flou

Naviguer à vue

Une idée vague

À peu près

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