C1 Expression Neutral

à l'affût de

on the lookout for

Bedeutung

Actively watching or searching for something, often an opportunity.

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Kultureller Hintergrund

The phrase is deeply linked to the French 'art de vivre' where being 'malin' (shrewd) is a valued trait. It's often used in the context of 'système D' (resourcefulness). In Quebec, the phrase is used frequently in business and technology circles, often as a direct equivalent to 'monitoring' or 'scouting'. In many West African countries, 'être à l'affût' can take on a more social meaning, referring to someone who is very aware of the social dynamics and 'palaver' in a community. Similar to France, but often used in the context of political compromise, where parties are 'à l'affût' of a signal from their coalition partners.

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Use with 'moindre'

Pairing 'à l'affût' with 'le/la moindre' (the slightest) is a very common and native-sounding collocation. E.g., 'À l'affût de la moindre erreur.'

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Avoid 'pour'

Never say 'à l'affût pour'. It's a common mistake for English speakers. Always use 'de'.

Bedeutung

Actively watching or searching for something, often an opportunity.

🎯

Use with 'moindre'

Pairing 'à l'affût' with 'le/la moindre' (the slightest) is a very common and native-sounding collocation. E.g., 'À l'affût de la moindre erreur.'

⚠️

Avoid 'pour'

Never say 'à l'affût pour'. It's a common mistake for English speakers. Always use 'de'.

💬

Business Context

In a French CV or cover letter, use this phrase to describe your 'veille technologique' (staying updated on tech).

Teste dich selbst

Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'à l'affût de' (remember contractions).

Les investisseurs sont toujours ___________ (le) moindres opportunités.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: à l'affût des

Opportunités is plural, so 'de + les' becomes 'des'.

Which situation best fits the use of 'à l'affût de'?

Choisissez la situation correcte :

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Chercher activement une faille dans un système de sécurité.

'À l'affût' implies active, strategic vigilance.

Complete the dialogue naturally.

A: Tu as vu le nouveau smartphone ? B: Oui, je suis ___________ une baisse de prix pour l'acheter.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: à l'affût d'

'À l'affût de' is the correct phrase, and 'de' becomes 'd'' before a vowel.

Match the register to the sentence.

Associez le registre à la phrase :

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 1, 2, 3

The noun form 'à l'affût' is neutral/formal, while the verb 'guetter' is more casual.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

À l'affût vs. Aux aguets

À l'affût
Opportunity Opportunité
Offensive Offensif
Aux aguets
Danger Danger
Defensive Défensif

Aufgabensammlung

4 Aufgaben
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'à l'affût de' (remember contractions). Fill Blank B1

Les investisseurs sont toujours ___________ (le) moindres opportunités.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: à l'affût des

Opportunités is plural, so 'de + les' becomes 'des'.

Which situation best fits the use of 'à l'affût de'? Choose B2

Choisissez la situation correcte :

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Chercher activement une faille dans un système de sécurité.

'À l'affût' implies active, strategic vigilance.

Complete the dialogue naturally. dialogue_completion B1

A: Tu as vu le nouveau smartphone ? B: Oui, je suis ___________ une baisse de prix pour l'acheter.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: à l'affût d'

'À l'affût de' is the correct phrase, and 'de' becomes 'd'' before a vowel.

Match the register to the sentence. Match C1

Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 1, 2, 3

The noun form 'à l'affût' is neutral/formal, while the verb 'guetter' is more casual.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Usually yes, it implies being smart and ready. However, it can be negative if it implies someone is waiting for you to fail (à l'affût de la moindre erreur).

Yes, but be careful. 'À l'affût d'une femme' sounds predatory. 'À l'affût d'un expert' sounds professional.

'Aux aguets' is more about fear or defense. 'À l'affût' is more about opportunity or hunting.

Usually yes, like 'être', 'rester', or 'se tenir'.

It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.

Yes, if the context is clear. 'Le chat attend, il est à l'affût.'

No, the 't' in 'affût' is always silent.

Yes, 'à l'affût d'une éclaircie' (looking for a break in the clouds).

Extremely. Journalists love it for describing investors or politicians.

Des affûts, but the expression 'à l'affût' stays singular.

Verwandte Redewendungen

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être aux aguets

similar

To be on the watch, often with a sense of anxiety or danger.

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guetter

similar

To watch for something to appear.

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faire le pied de grue

contrast

To wait standing up for a long time.

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être sur le qui-vive

similar

To be on high alert.

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