A2 Collocation 중립 3분 분량

sur l' espoir

sur the espoir

직역: on the hope

Use it to describe plans or feelings that are fueled by optimism rather than evidence.

15초 만에

  • Used when a plan relies on feelings rather than facts.
  • Often paired with verbs like 'reposer' (to rest) or 'miser' (to bet).
  • Balances romantic optimism with a hint of risky uncertainty.

It describes an action or a plan that is built entirely on the feeling of hope. It is like saying something is 'resting on hope' rather than on concrete facts or guarantees.

주요 예문

3 / 6
1

Talking about a risky business venture

Tout notre projet repose sur l'espoir d'un investissement.

Our whole project rests on the hope of an investment.

💼
2

Texting a friend about a date

Je n'ai pas de plan, je mise tout sur l'espoir !

I don't have a plan, I'm betting everything on hope!

😊
3

Discussing a difficult recovery

Sa guérison ne tient que sur l'espoir des médecins.

His recovery depends only on the hope of the doctors.

💭
🌍

문화적 배경

The concept of 'l'espoir' is central to French philosophy and literature, notably explored by writers like André Malraux. While the French are often seen as cynical, they deeply value the 'beau geste'—a noble but perhaps futile action based on pure hope. This phrase captures that tension between reality and desire.

💡

The 'L' is Key

Don't forget the 'l' apostrophe! In French, abstract nouns like 'espoir' almost always need an article. It's 'sur l'espoir', never 'sur espoir'.

⚠️

Espoir vs. Espérance

Use 'espoir' for general hope. 'Espérance' is much more formal or religious. If you're talking about your weekend plans, stick to 'espoir'.

15초 만에

  • Used when a plan relies on feelings rather than facts.
  • Often paired with verbs like 'reposer' (to rest) or 'miser' (to bet).
  • Balances romantic optimism with a hint of risky uncertainty.

What It Means

Imagine you are building a house on a cloud. That is what it feels like when something is sur l'espoir. It means a situation has no safety net. You are moving forward simply because you believe things will work out. It is about the foundation of your actions. If your strategy is sur l'espoir, you are being an optimist, perhaps a risky one. It is not about a plan; it is about a feeling.

How To Use It

You will mostly see this paired with verbs like reposer (to rest) or miser (to bet). For example, you might say a project repose sur l'espoir. You can also use it to describe your state of mind. It acts as a qualifier for why you are doing something. It is a bit like saying 'on a wing and a prayer' in English. Just drop it after the verb to show what is fueling the fire.

When To Use It

Use it when you are talking about big dreams. It is perfect for discussing a new startup or a risky career move. It works well when you are being honest about the lack of data. Use it with friends when discussing a crush you just texted. It is great for emotional conversations where logic takes a backseat. You can even use it in a meeting to sound poetic about a tough goal.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid this in very technical or scientific reports. If you tell your boss the bridge design is sur l'espoir, you might get fired. Do not use it for things that are certain. If you have a signed contract, it is not sur l'espoir. It is also a bit too heavy for tiny things. You wouldn't say your lunch choice is sur l'espoir unless you are eating very suspicious leftovers.

Cultural Background

French culture has a complex relationship with hope. There is a famous saying, L'espoir fait vivre (Hope keeps you alive). However, the French are also famous for their realism and 'cartésien' (logical) thinking. Using sur l'espoir often implies a romantic or brave defiance of logic. It suggests a certain nobility in trying something even when the odds are unknown. It is the classic struggle between the heart and the head.

Common Variations

You will often hear dans l'espoir de (in the hope of), which is more common. There is also vivre d'espoir (to live on hope). If you want to be more dramatic, you can say ne tenir que sur l'espoir. This means the only thing keeping a situation together is hope itself. It is the 'last thread' of a situation.

사용 참고사항

This phrase is neutral and versatile. It becomes more formal when used with 'reposer' and more casual/humorous when used with 'miser' or in short sentences about everyday objects.

💡

The 'L' is Key

Don't forget the 'l' apostrophe! In French, abstract nouns like 'espoir' almost always need an article. It's 'sur l'espoir', never 'sur espoir'.

⚠️

Espoir vs. Espérance

Use 'espoir' for general hope. 'Espérance' is much more formal or religious. If you're talking about your weekend plans, stick to 'espoir'.

💬

The Ultimate Proverb

If you want to sound like a local, learn 'L'espoir fait vivre' (Hope keeps you alive). It's the standard response when someone is being very optimistic.

예시

6
#1 Talking about a risky business venture
💼

Tout notre projet repose sur l'espoir d'un investissement.

Our whole project rests on the hope of an investment.

Shows the project has no guaranteed funding yet.

#2 Texting a friend about a date
😊

Je n'ai pas de plan, je mise tout sur l'espoir !

I don't have a plan, I'm betting everything on hope!

A casual way to admit you're winging it.

#3 Discussing a difficult recovery
💭

Sa guérison ne tient que sur l'espoir des médecins.

His recovery depends only on the hope of the doctors.

Uses 'ne... que' to show hope is the only factor left.

#4 Humorous comment about a broken car
😄

Cette voiture roule uniquement sur l'espoir maintenant.

This car runs purely on hope now.

A funny way to say the car is in terrible condition.

#5 Formal speech about the future
👔

Nous bâtissons cet avenir sur l'espoir et le courage.

We are building this future on hope and courage.

Very formal and inspirational usage.

#6 Encouraging a teammate
🤝

On ne peut pas gagner uniquement sur l'espoir, il faut s'entraîner.

We can't win solely on hope; we have to train.

Used to contrast hope with hard work.

셀프 테스트

Complete the sentence to say the plan is based on hope.

Leur stratégie ___ sur l'espoir.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: repose

The verb 'reposer' (to rest/be based on) is the most common partner for this phrase.

Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.

Il a tout misé ___ l'espoir de réussir.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: sur

In this context, 'sur' indicates what the 'bet' (miser) is placed upon.

🎉 점수: /2

시각 학습 자료

Formality of 'Sur l'espoir'

Informal

Joking with friends about a bad car or a crush.

Ça marche sur l'espoir !

Neutral

Discussing plans or personal beliefs.

Je me base sur l'espoir.

Formal

Political speeches or literary descriptions.

Une nation bâtie sur l'espoir.

When to use 'Sur l'espoir'

Sur l'espoir
💼

Risky Business

Relying on a future deal.

❤️

Romance

Waiting for a text back.

Sports

A last-minute miracle play.

💻

Humor

A laptop with 1% battery.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

It means that a situation or a plan is based entirely on hope rather than evidence. For example, Mon projet repose sur l'espoir means my project has no solid foundation yet.

Yes. Dans l'espoir de means 'in the hope of' (doing something). Sur l'espoir describes the foundation of a situation.

Yes, but be careful. It implies a lack of certainty. It's fine for brainstorming, but maybe not for a final financial audit!

It's a common collocation. You'll hear it often with verbs like reposer or miser.

It sounds like 'ess-pwar'. Make sure to emphasize the 'war' sound at the end.

Not really. It's better to say je vis sur l'espoir (I live on hope) or je garde espoir (I'm keeping hope).

Not necessarily, but it suggests risk. It can be seen as romantic and brave, or as slightly delusional depending on the context.

A close one is vivre d'illusions, but that is much more negative. Sur l'espoir is more neutral.

Not exactly, but in slang, you might just say au talent (relying on talent/luck) to mean you have no real plan.

Yes, very often. It's a favorite for authors describing characters who have nothing left but their dreams.

관련 표현

L'espoir fait vivre

Hope keeps you going / Hope springs eternal.

Garder espoir

To keep hope alive.

Perdre espoir

To lose hope.

Vivre d'amour et d'eau fraîche

To live on love and fresh water (to be very idealistic).

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