المعنى
Openly, publicly, with everyone aware.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase is a staple of French political journalism. It is often used to highlight the 'secret de Polichinelle'—a secret that everyone actually knows but no one talks about officially. In Quebec, the phrase is used similarly but might be heard in more diverse social contexts, including community debates about public space usage. In legal French, this phrase relates to the concept of 'notoriété publique'. If a crime is committed 'au vu et au su de tous', it is much easier to prove 'flagrant délit'. 19th-century French novelists like Balzac and Zola used this phrase to describe the hypocrisy of bourgeois society, where scandals were often 'known by all' but ignored for the sake of appearances.
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase when you want to sound more authoritative or indignant in your writing. It's much stronger than 'en public'.
Pronounce the 'S'
Don't forget to pronounce the 's' at the end of 'tous'. If you say 'tou' (silent s), it sounds like you are saying 'all of something' rather than 'everyone'.
المعنى
Openly, publicly, with everyone aware.
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase when you want to sound more authoritative or indignant in your writing. It's much stronger than 'en public'.
Pronounce the 'S'
Don't forget to pronounce the 's' at the end of 'tous'. If you say 'tou' (silent s), it sounds like you are saying 'all of something' rather than 'everyone'.
The 'Secret de Polichinelle'
This phrase is the perfect way to describe a 'Secret de Polichinelle'. If everyone knows it, it's happening 'au vu et au su de tous'.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Le scandale a éclaté ____ vu et ____ su de tous.
The phrase is fixed as 'au vu et au su de tous'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a formal context?
Choose the best option:
The phrase is best suited for significant, often scandalous or public-interest events.
Match the French phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Understanding the antonyms is key to mastering the phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate response.
A: 'Personne ne savait pour leur mariage ?' B: 'Si, au contraire ! Ils se sont mariés...'
The context 'au contraire' implies the opposite of 'nobody knowing'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Public vs. Private
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينLe scandale a éclaté ____ vu et ____ su de tous.
The phrase is fixed as 'au vu et au su de tous'.
Choose the best option:
The phrase is best suited for significant, often scandalous or public-interest events.
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
Understanding the antonyms is key to mastering the phrase.
A: 'Personne ne savait pour leur mariage ?' B: 'Si, au contraire ! Ils se sont mariés...'
The context 'au contraire' implies the opposite of 'nobody knowing'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةTechnically yes, if you are referring only to a group of women, but 'tous' is the standard neutral plural used for 'everyone'.
Not always, but it often is. It usually implies that something *should* have been private or that it's surprising it's public.
'Au vu' is more abstract and formal, often used with 'de' to mean 'considering'. 'À la vue' is more literal and physical.
No, 'su' is almost never used as a noun outside of this specific expression and 'à l'insu de'.
It might sound a bit too formal for a quick text unless you are being ironic or dramatic.
Yes, but with more weight. It means 'openly and with everyone's full awareness'.
No, you would say 'à mon insu' (without me knowing) or 'devant moi' (in front of me).
Yes, to describe transparency or, conversely, blatant corporate misconduct.
Because they are used as masculine nouns in this fixed expression, not as adjectives agreeing with a subject.
Yes, especially in crime dramas or political thrillers when a character is shocked by public corruption.
عبارات ذات صلة
À l'insu de
contrastWithout the knowledge of.
Au grand jour
synonymIn the light of day / openly.
Un secret de Polichinelle
similarAn open secret.
À visage découvert
similarWith an uncovered face / openly.
