NationStates Jolt Archive

I went swimming earlier this evening and let my mind wander, as one does, and I got to thinking about the French phrase "avoir beau". So, you Francophones out there, I know how it's used and what it means, so I am not confused about that - what I ended up thinking about is since the phrase has a negative meaning, does the usage of "rien" with it end up being positive?

For instance, "il a beau tout faire, il ne me reverra jamais" and "il a beau rien faire, il ne me reverra jamais". The second of those "feels" wonky to me and I would tend to use the first one, but could it be used and mean the same thing as the first sentence? This ended up really bugging me.

the second sentence does not make sense.

In another words If you are feeling it "wonky".. its because it is. :cool:

Since when are you Francophone?

I speak better French than you, and even I'm not claiming I'm Francophone.

For instance, "il a beau tout faire, il ne me reverra jamais" and "il a beau rien faire, il ne me reverra jamais". The second of those "feels" wonky to me and I would tend to use the first one, but could it be used and mean the same thing as the first sentence? This ended up really bugging me.
They don't have the same meaning, and you are missing a word in the second one.

"Il a beau tout faire, il ne me reverra jamais" is fine and dandy.

"Il a beau ne rien faire, il ne me reverra jamais.

The first one means "Whatever he does, he won't see me again", while the second actually means more along the lines of "Even if he doesn't do anything, he won't see me again".

Edit: for the record, French Canadian here.

I went swimming earlier this evening and let my mind wander, as one does, and I got to thinking about the French phrase "avoir beau". So, you Francophones out there, I know how it's used and what it means, so I am not confused about that - what I ended up thinking about is since the phrase has a negative meaning, does the usage of "rien" with it end up being positive?

For instance, "il a beau tout faire, il ne me reverra jamais" and "il a beau rien faire, il ne me reverra jamais". The second of those "feels" wonky to me and I would tend to use the first one, but could it be used and mean the same thing as the first sentence? This ended up really bugging me.the second sentence does not make sense.

In another words If you are feeling it "wonky".. its because it is. :cool:

Since when are you Francophone?

I speak better French than you, and even I'm not claiming I'm Francophone.viens me voir, et je vas te montrer comment je suis bon a croquer :D
amene ta copine philipinne, parzke moi, za men prends deux ;)

They don't have the same meaning, and you are missing a word in the second one.

Nope. "Ne" is soutenu in European French, and I wasn't going for that. I almost always omit the ne, but then again I always try to use the expletive and literary ne. Kooky, that way, and well, the "rien" sentence did sound wonky, but French is all about positive negatives, so it was worth investigating.

Fass Is this for a email you are sending to someone? Just trying to make sure you get it right?

I am in the opinion of Skaladora here. Although French-American here... :D

ca se vois tres bien que tu as un problem romantique jeune homme. :fluffle:bonne chance en tout cas.

ca se vois tres bien que tu as un problem romantique jeune homme. :fluffle:bonne chance en tout cas.

Vous vous êtes trompé, je n'en ai pas. Ce n'était qu'une question qui m'est venue par hasard... mais c'est très amusant que vous pensiez que je croirais que les souhaits que vous m'envoyez ne sont pas trompeurs eux-mêmes. Je vous connais mieux que ca. :p

Where's Ariddia when you need him ... :p

Vous vous êtes trompé, je n'en ai pas. Ce n'était qu'une question qui m'est venue par hasard... mais c'est très amusant que vous pensiez que je croirais que les souhaits que vous m'envoyez ne sont pas trompeurs eux-mêmes. Je vous connais mieux que ca. :p

I disagree but don't hate. ;)

How droll and, by coincidence, as I discerned the intricate light variation depicted in Telemaco Signorini's 'La sala delle agitate' while sipping on a delicate Chablis Cotes de Lechet this afternoon, the thought struck me that I was possibly the most pretentious ass in the history of mankind.

I went swimming earlier this evening and let my mind wander, as one does, and I got to thinking about the French phrase "avoir beau". So, you Francophones out there, I know how it's used and what it means, so I am not confused about that - what I ended up thinking about is since the phrase has a negative meaning, does the usage of "rien" with it end up being positive?

For instance, "il a beau tout faire, il ne me reverra jamais" and "il a beau rien faire, il ne me reverra jamais". The second of those "feels" wonky to me and I would tend to use the first one, but could it be used and mean the same thing as the first sentence? This ended up really bugging me.

Hmm, my french is a bit rusty (and belgian) but I'd say both are correct but with different meanings, the second sentence does feel a bit wonky, but I'd say there are other situations where you'd use "avoir beau rien" and it would stay negative.

How droll and, by coincidence, as I discerned the intricate light variation depicted in Telemaco Signorini's 'La sala delle agitate' while sipping on a delicate Chablis Cotes de Lechet this afternoon, the thought struck me that I was possibly the most pretentious ass in the history of mankind.

Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?

How droll and, by coincidence, as I discerned the intricate light variation depicted in Telemaco Signorini's 'La sala delle agitate' while sipping on a delicate Chablis Cotes de Lechet this afternoon, the thought struck me that I was possibly the most pretentious ass in the history of mankind.

You misspelt Chablis Côte de Léchet.

You misspelt Chablis Côte de Léchet.

:mad:

Dammit.

How droll and, by coincidence, as I discerned the intricate light variation depicted in Telemaco Signorini's 'La sala delle agitate' while sipping on a delicate Chablis Cotes de Lechet this afternoon, the thought struck me that I was possibly the most pretentious ass in the history of mankind.

funny.:D

You misspelt Chablis Côte de Léchet.hahaha ... awww

the real -World class- pretentious ass, clearly pwned the fake pretentious ass. :D

(I was going to use the word "pretender" instead of "fake", but that felt a bit wonky)