Bedeutung
To give something the highest level of significance or priority.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In French administration and the 'Grandes Écoles', using precise collocations like this is essential for 'la distinction'—showing one's intellectual status. While used in formal Quebecois French, in casual speech, people are more likely to use 'C'est ben important' or 'On met le paquet sur...'. In West African Francophonie, formal French is often very respectful and slightly more traditional. This phrase is common in diplomatic and educational circles. Swiss French (Suisse romande) values precision and consensus. This phrase is a staple in the 'consultative' register used in Swiss politics.
Use it in the negative
To sound very sophisticated, use it in the negative to dismiss an idea: 'Je n'y accorde aucune importance capitale' (I don't give it any vital importance).
Watch the 'à'
The most common error at C1 is forgetting the 'à'. Always check: Accorder X à Y.
Bedeutung
To give something the highest level of significance or priority.
Use it in the negative
To sound very sophisticated, use it in the negative to dismiss an idea: 'Je n'y accorde aucune importance capitale' (I don't give it any vital importance).
Watch the 'à'
The most common error at C1 is forgetting the 'à'. Always check: Accorder X à Y.
The 'Grandes Écoles' Style
This is a 'power phrase'. Use it when you want to sound like a leader or an expert.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Le gouvernement ________ une importance ________ à la sécurité routière.
We use the verb 'accorder' for formality and 'capitale' (feminine) to agree with 'importance'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct option:
The phrase requires the preposition 'à' and feminine agreement.
In which situation is this phrase MOST appropriate?
Context selection:
This is a formal, high-level collocation suitable for professional writing.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Pourquoi as-tu choisi cette école ? B: Parce qu'ils ________ une importance capitale ________ l'apprentissage des langues.
The plural verb 'accordent' matches 'ils' and 'à' is the required preposition.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Importance Capitale'
Work
- • Deadlines
- • Strategy
- • Safety
Society
- • Education
- • Ecology
- • Justice
Personal
- • Values
- • Honesty
- • Health
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLe gouvernement ________ une importance ________ à la sécurité routière.
We use the verb 'accorder' for formality and 'capitale' (feminine) to agree with 'importance'.
Select the correct option:
The phrase requires the preposition 'à' and feminine agreement.
Context selection:
This is a formal, high-level collocation suitable for professional writing.
A: Pourquoi as-tu choisi cette école ? B: Parce qu'ils ________ une importance capitale ________ l'apprentissage des langues.
The plural verb 'accordent' matches 'ils' and 'à' is the required preposition.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenIn a formal or professional context, yes. It shows a higher level of vocabulary and a more precise way of thinking.
Not usually. You don't 'accorder une importance capitale' to a person, but rather to their *presence*, *opinion*, or *role*. For a person, you'd say 'Il compte beaucoup pour moi'.
They are 95% interchangeable. 'Capitale' sounds slightly more 'structural' (like a head), while 'primordiale' sounds more 'foundational' (like a root).
Only if you are being funny or dramatic. Otherwise, it's too formal.
No, that's only in 'peine capitale'. Here it just means 'of the highest importance'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Attacher du prix à
similarTo value something highly.
Mettre l'accent sur
similarTo emphasize something.
Faire l'impasse sur
contrastTo skip or ignore something.
Une question de vie ou de mort
specialized formA matter of life or death.
