Significado
A statement that is obviously true, to the point of being redundant.
Contexto cultural
The term is a staple of French political journalism. Journalists use it to mock 'langue de bois' (political doublespeak) when a politician avoids a question by stating an obvious truth. In Quebec, while 'lapalissade' is understood, people might more often use 'enfoncer des portes ouvertes' or simply 'C'est clair' in casual conversation. The 17th-century critic Nicolas Boileau is often credited with popularizing the mockery of such statements, though the word itself became common later. Belgian French uses 'lapalissade' in formal education and media, similar to France, reflecting the shared linguistic standards in academic settings.
Use it in writing
In a C1 essay, use 'lapalissade' to critique a simplistic counter-argument. It shows high-level vocabulary and rhetorical awareness.
Don't overdo it
Calling everything a lapalissade can make you sound arrogant. Save it for truly ridiculous statements.
Significado
A statement that is obviously true, to the point of being redundant.
Use it in writing
In a C1 essay, use 'lapalissade' to critique a simplistic counter-argument. It shows high-level vocabulary and rhetorical awareness.
Don't overdo it
Calling everything a lapalissade can make you sound arrogant. Save it for truly ridiculous statements.
The 'La Palice' variant
You can also say 'C'est une vérité de La Palice'. It's slightly more old-fashioned but very elegant.
Ponte a prueba
Lequel de ces énoncés est une lapalissade ?
Choisissez l'option qui ne donne aucune nouvelle information.
Dire qu'il faut 'ne pas échouer' pour 'réussir' est une redondance logique pure.
Complétez la phrase avec le mot correct.
Son discours était vide, ce n'était qu'une suite de ______.
On utilise souvent le pluriel pour critiquer un long discours.
Associez la phrase à la réaction appropriée.
Phrase : 'Si on ne fait rien, rien ne changera.'
La phrase énonce une vérité évidente par définition.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Ayudas visuales
Lapalissade vs. Pléonasme
Banco de ejercicios
3 ejerciciosChoisissez l'option qui ne donne aucune nouvelle information.
Dire qu'il faut 'ne pas échouer' pour 'réussir' est une redondance logique pure.
Son discours était vide, ce n'était qu'une suite de ______.
On utilise souvent le pluriel pour critiquer un long discours.
Phrase : 'Si on ne fait rien, rien ne changera.'
La phrase énonce une vérité évidente par définition.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot directly, but it is a critique of someone's intelligence or the quality of their argument. It's more 'intellectually dismissive' than a personal insult.
Yes, but usually in a joking way when someone says something really obvious. 'Merci pour la lapalissade !'
A tautology is a formal logical structure (A=A). A lapalissade is a specific type of tautology that sounds silly because it's so self-evident in natural language.
It's common in media, politics, and among educated adults. You won't hear it much in primary schools or in very casual street slang.
Like the 'ad' in 'bad', but with a softer French 'a'. The 'e' is silent.
No, 'lapalissade' is always feminine.
A French military officer from the 16th century. The phrase is named after him due to a song lyric error.
No, you must use an article: 'C'est UNE lapalissade'.
Yes, to point out that a strategy or goal is too vague or obvious to be useful.
Truism is the closest formal word. 'No-brainer' or 'Captain Obvious' are informal equivalents.
Frases relacionadas
Enfoncer une porte ouverte
similarTo prove something that is already obvious.
Truisme
synonymA self-evident truth.
Tautologie
specialized formA logical statement that is true by necessity of its form.
Pléonasme
similarThe use of more words than necessary (e.g., 'petit nain').
Monsieur de La Palice
builds onThe person the phrase is named after.
