à la va-vite
To be up to date
字面意思: at the go-fast
Use it to describe tasks done hastily, sloppily, or at the very last minute.
15秒了解
- Doing something in a hurry.
- Prioritizing speed over quality or neatness.
- Often used to excuse a messy or imperfect result.
意思
This phrase describes doing something in a huge rush or very sloppily. It is the perfect way to say you did a job quickly and poorly because you were short on time.
关键例句
3 / 6Explaining a messy room
J'ai rangé l'appartement à la va-vite avant ton arrivée.
I tidied the apartment in a rush before you arrived.
Apologizing for a quick meal
Désolé, j'ai cuisiné ce plat à la va-vite ce soir.
Sorry, I threw this meal together in a hurry tonight.
A boss asking for a quick draft
Faites-moi un brouillon à la va-vite pour la réunion.
Make me a quick-and-dirty draft for the meeting.
文化背景
The expression dates back to the 19th century, evolving from the idea of someone 'going quickly' without stopping. It captures a shift in French society toward industrial haste, contrasting with the traditional emphasis on craftsmanship and 'le travail bien fait'.
The 'Oops' Shield
Use this phrase as a preemptive strike. If you know you did a bad job because you were rushed, say it first to lower people's expectations!
Don't use it for 'Up to Date'
Be careful! Some old textbooks mistakenly link this to being 'up to date'. It strictly means 'hurriedly'. For 'up to date', use 'à jour'.
15秒了解
- Doing something in a hurry.
- Prioritizing speed over quality or neatness.
- Often used to excuse a messy or imperfect result.
What It Means
Imagine you are running late for a train. You throw your clothes into a suitcase without folding them. That is à la va-vite. It describes actions done with zero attention to detail. You are prioritizing speed over quality. It often implies the result is a bit of a mess. It is the opposite of taking your time to do things right.
How To Use It
You usually place this phrase after a verb. It functions like an adverb in English. If you cleaned your apartment in five minutes, you cleaned it à la va-vite. It is very flexible. You can use it for cooking, writing, or even getting dressed. Just remember it usually carries a slightly negative tone. You are admitting the work wasn't your best.
When To Use It
Use it when you need to apologize for a messy result. Maybe you sent an email with typos. Perhaps you cooked a dinner that is slightly burnt. It is great for self-deprecation with friends. At work, use it to explain why a draft is rough. It shows you know the quality is low because of the rush.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this to describe a masterpiece. If you spent hours on a painting, do not say you did it à la va-vite. Avoid using it in high-stakes formal documents. You wouldn't want to tell your CEO you prepared the annual budget à la va-vite. It makes you sound a bit careless. Also, do not confuse it with being 'up to date'.
Cultural Background
The phrase comes from the verb va (go) and vite (fast). It creates a sense of constant motion. French culture often values the 'art de vivre' and taking time. Doing things à la va-vite is seen as a necessary evil of modern life. It reflects the struggle between traditional quality and modern speed. It has been used since the 19th century to describe the hustle of city life.
Common Variations
You might hear people simply say en vitesse. That just means 'quickly' without the messy connotation. Another variation is claque-doigt, though that is rarer. Some might say fait par-dessus la jambe. That means doing something very carelessly. However, à la va-vite remains the most common way to describe a rush job.
使用说明
The phrase is neutral-informal. It is safe for most situations but implies a lack of thoroughness that might be inappropriate for very serious professional commitments.
The 'Oops' Shield
Use this phrase as a preemptive strike. If you know you did a bad job because you were rushed, say it first to lower people's expectations!
Don't use it for 'Up to Date'
Be careful! Some old textbooks mistakenly link this to being 'up to date'. It strictly means 'hurriedly'. For 'up to date', use 'à jour'.
The French Pace
In France, doing things 'à la va-vite' is often frowned upon in gastronomy. A 'repas à la va-vite' is the opposite of the French culinary ideal.
例句
6J'ai rangé l'appartement à la va-vite avant ton arrivée.
I tidied the apartment in a rush before you arrived.
The speaker admits the cleaning isn't perfect.
Désolé, j'ai cuisiné ce plat à la va-vite ce soir.
Sorry, I threw this meal together in a hurry tonight.
Used to lower expectations about the food quality.
Faites-moi un brouillon à la va-vite pour la réunion.
Make me a quick-and-dirty draft for the meeting.
In a professional setting, it means 'don't worry about polish'.
J'ai répondu à son mail à la va-vite, j'espère qu'il n'y a pas de fautes !
I replied to his email in a rush, I hope there are no mistakes!
Commonly used for digital communication errors.
Elle s'est maquillée à la va-vite dans le métro.
She put on her makeup hastily in the subway.
Describes a chaotic morning routine.
On a pris cette décision à la va-vite et on le regrette.
We made this decision too quickly and we regret it.
Expresses regret over a lack of deliberation.
自我测试
Choose the correct phrase to describe a hurried task.
Il a fait ses devoirs ___ pour aller jouer au foot.
The context of wanting to go play football suggests the homework was done quickly and likely sloppily.
Complete the sentence to apologize for a messy email.
J'ai écrit ce message ___, excusez les fautes.
Writing a message 'à la va-vite' explains why there might be typos or errors.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of 'à la va-vite'
Used with friends for daily chores.
J'ai fait mon sac à la va-vite.
Common in most social and work settings.
Un rapport fait à la va-vite.
Rarely used; sounds slightly too casual for high-level speeches.
Une loi votée à la va-vite.
When to use 'à la va-vite'
Morning Routine
S'habiller à la va-vite.
Office Work
Un mail envoyé à la va-vite.
Cooking
Un dîner préparé à la va-vite.
School
Réviser à la va-vite.
常见问题
10 个问题Not really. It almost always implies that because you went fast, the quality suffered. If you were fast and efficient, you'd just say efficacement.
It's not rude, but it's an admission of low quality. Use it for drafts or internal notes, like C'est un brouillon fait à la va-vite.
No, it describes how an action is done, not a person's personality. You wouldn't say 'He is à la va-vite'.
The best opposite is posément or avec soin, which mean doing something calmly and with care.
No, it is a standard idiom. You can use it with your boss, your parents, or your friends without any issue.
It sounds like 'ah-lah-vah-veet'. The 't' at the end of 'vite' is clearly pronounced.
Yes, if a player makes a hurried, careless pass, you could say it was done à la va-vite.
In this specific idiom, yes. You cannot say 'à la va' or 'à la vite' alone.
No, it is an invariable adverbial phrase. It never changes spelling.
It is very common in both, but you'll hear it constantly in spoken French when people are making excuses for their mess!
相关表达
en un clin d'œil (in the blink of an eye)
faire les choses à moitié (to do things by halves)
en catastrophe (in a state of panic/rush)
par-dessus la jambe (carelessly/sloppily)
à l'arrache (slang: hastily/unprepared)
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