In 15 Sekunden
- Left to someone's personal judgment.
- Common in professional or legal contexts.
- Used when no fixed rule exists.
Bedeutung
This phrase means that a decision or value is not fixed by a rule, but is left up to someone's personal judgment or discretion.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Deciding on a restaurant with a friend
Le choix du restaurant est à ton appréciation ce soir.
The choice of restaurant is up to you tonight.
A manager discussing a performance bonus
Le montant du bonus est laissé à l'appréciation de la direction.
The bonus amount is left to the management's discretion.
Texting a friend about what to wear to a party
Pour le code vestimentaire, c'est à l'appréciation de chacun !
As for the dress code, it's up to everyone's judgment!
Kultureller Hintergrund
In French restaurants, 'service compris' means the tip is included. However, leaving a small extra amount is 'à l'appréciation du client.' It's not mandatory like in the US, but a gesture of 'appreciation' for good service. In Quebec, the influence of English 'at your discretion' is strong, but 'à l'appréciation' remains the standard in legal and administrative documents to maintain formal French standards. The 'appréciation souveraine des juges du fond' is a pillar of the French judicial system, meaning higher courts (Cour de cassation) don't re-examine facts, only the application of the law. French grading is famously tough. A teacher's 'appréciation' (commentary) is often considered as important as the numerical grade itself.
Use it in Emails
When you don't want to commit to a hard deadline, say 'La date finale est à votre appréciation.' It sounds professional and gives the client control.
Not for 'Like'
Never use this phrase to say you like a person or a thing. It's strictly for judgment calls.
In 15 Sekunden
- Left to someone's personal judgment.
- Common in professional or legal contexts.
- Used when no fixed rule exists.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a fancy French restaurant. The menu says the tip is à l'appréciation du client. This means there is no fixed rule. You decide the amount based on your feelings. It is all about personal judgment. It is not a simple calculation. It is a choice based on your perspective and experience.
How To Use It
You will mostly see this in professional or formal settings. It usually follows the pattern à l'appréciation de plus a person. You can say C'est à l'appréciation du jury. This means the jury decides the winner. It is a very flexible phrase. You can use it for big things like laws. You can also use it for small things like seasoning.
When To Use It
Use it when a decision is subjective. It is perfect for work emails or reports. Use it when you want to sound polite and professional. It shows you respect someone's authority or expertise. It is common in legal or administrative documents. You might even see it on a job description for salary.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for objective facts or math. You cannot say the speed limit is à l'appréciation. The police will definitely disagree with you! Avoid it in very casual, slang-heavy talks with best friends. It might sound a bit too stiff there. If there is a clear, hard rule, skip this phrase.
Cultural Background
France is famous for its complex rules and bureaucracy. However, the French also value individual intellect and logic. This phrase bridges that gap perfectly. It allows for flexibility within a structured system. It is the human touch in a world of codes. It has been used in legal texts for centuries.
Common Variations
You might hear laisser à l'appréciation. This means to leave it up to someone. Another one is soumis à l'appréciation. This means subject to the judgment of. Both are very common in professional French. They make you sound very sophisticated and precise. It is a great way to show your B2 level.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a high-neutral to formal phrase. It is grammatically stable and rarely changes except for the object following 'de'.
Use it in Emails
When you don't want to commit to a hard deadline, say 'La date finale est à votre appréciation.' It sounds professional and gives the client control.
Not for 'Like'
Never use this phrase to say you like a person or a thing. It's strictly for judgment calls.
The 'Sovereign' Touch
In very formal contexts, add the word 'souveraine' (appréciation souveraine) to indicate that the decision is final and absolute.
Beispiele
6Le choix du restaurant est à ton appréciation ce soir.
The choice of restaurant is up to you tonight.
Using the phrase here adds a slightly playful, polite weight to the choice.
Le montant du bonus est laissé à l'appréciation de la direction.
The bonus amount is left to the management's discretion.
This is a classic professional use regarding non-fixed values.
Pour le code vestimentaire, c'est à l'appréciation de chacun !
As for the dress code, it's up to everyone's judgment!
A more relaxed way to say 'wear whatever you think is right.'
La peine est à l'appréciation du juge.
The sentence is at the judge's discretion.
Very formal and legalistic context.
Le goût de ta soupe est... à l'appréciation des courageux.
The taste of your soup is... up to the judgment of the brave.
Using a formal phrase for a silly situation creates humor.
Le pardon est à l'appréciation de la victime.
Forgiveness is at the discretion of the victim.
Used here to show respect for someone's emotional boundary.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Le choix des couleurs est laissé ___ l'appréciation ___ client.
The fixed phrase is 'à l'appréciation de'. Since 'client' is masculine, 'de + le' becomes 'du'.
Which sentence is the most formal and correct?
How do you say 'It's up to the judge' in a legal context?
This is the standard formal way to express judicial discretion.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
You are at a museum where entry is 'pay what you want'. What do you say?
Both 'appréciation' and 'discrétion' work for voluntary payments, though 'appréciation' is very common for donations.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenLe choix des couleurs est laissé ___ l'appréciation ___ client.
The fixed phrase is 'à l'appréciation de'. Since 'client' is masculine, 'de + le' becomes 'du'.
How do you say 'It's up to the judge' in a legal context?
This is the standard formal way to express judicial discretion.
You are at a museum where entry is 'pay what you want'. What do you say?
Both 'appréciation' and 'discrétion' work for voluntary payments, though 'appréciation' is very common for donations.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenYes, but it sounds a bit formal or playful. Use it when you want to say 'It's your call' in a sophisticated way.
It is always 'à l'appréciation' because of the vowel at the start of the word.
'Appréciation' implies an evaluation of facts or quality, while 'discrétion' implies the power to choose regardless of facts.
No. Unlike English, where you show 'appreciation' for a gift, in French this phrase only refers to judgment.
Verwandte Redewendungen
à la discrétion de
synonymAt the discretion of
au cas par cas
similarOn a case-by-case basis
selon l'avis de
similarAccording to the opinion of
appréciation souveraine
specialized formSovereign judgment
