significatif
significatif en 30 secondes
- Means 'significant', 'meaningful', or 'important'.
- Must agree in gender: significatif (m) / significative (f).
- Usually placed after the noun it modifies.
- Commonly used in news, business, and science.
The French adjective significatif (feminine: significative) is a highly versatile and commonly used word in both formal and everyday contexts. At its core, it translates to 'significant,' 'meaningful,' or 'noteworthy' in English. When you describe something as significatif, you are emphasizing that it is not just present, but it exists in a quantity, quality, or degree that demands attention. It implies that the subject has a real, measurable, or observable impact on a situation. This word is deeply embedded in the B2 CEFR level because it moves beyond basic descriptions (like 'big' or 'good') and allows learners to express nuance, statistical relevance, and profound importance. Understanding the depth of this word requires looking at its application across various fields, from casual conversation to academic research.
- Statistical Meaning
- In mathematics and science, it refers to a result that is unlikely to have occurred by chance.
Les résultats de cette étude sont statistiquement significatifs.
Beyond numbers, it describes changes, differences, or events that alter the course of things. For example, a 'changement significatif' in a company's policy means the change will affect employees' daily lives. It is not a minor tweak; it is a substantial shift. This distinction is crucial for French learners. You wouldn't use it for a slight change in weather, unless that change ruins a crop. You use it when the stakes are higher.
- Everyday Importance
- Used to describe a noticeable and impactful difference in daily life or general situations.
Il y a une différence significative entre ces deux produits.
The etymology of the word traces back to the Latin 'significativus', meaning 'that which points out or indicates'. This historical root helps explain why the word carries a sense of 'pointing to a deeper meaning'. When an event is significatif, it is a sign of something larger. It is an indicator. This makes it a powerful tool in argumentation, essays, and professional presentations.
- Expressive Meaning
- Relating to a gesture or look that conveys a hidden or understood message without words.
Il m'a lancé un regard significatif pendant la réunion.
To truly master this word, one must practice its pronunciation: [si.ɲi.fi.ka.tif]. The 'gn' makes the classic French 'ny' sound, similar to 'onion' in English. The final 'f' is pronounced in the masculine singular, but in the plural masculine (significatifs), the 's' is silent while the 'f' remains pronounced. In the feminine (significative), the 'v' is clearly voiced. This phonetic complexity is typical of B2-level vocabulary, requiring both grammatical awareness and phonetic precision.
Nous avons fait des progrès significatifs ce mois-ci.
C'est une étape significative dans notre projet.
Using significatif correctly in French involves understanding both its grammatical placement and its morphological variations. As a descriptive adjective, it generally follows the noun it modifies. This is a standard rule in French for adjectives that classify or provide objective, measurable descriptions. Therefore, you will say 'un impact significatif' rather than 'un significatif impact'. Placing it before the noun would sound highly unnatural to a native speaker. The word must also agree in gender and number with the noun it describes, which leads to four distinct forms: significatif (masculine singular), significative (feminine singular), significatifs (masculine plural), and significatives (feminine plural).
- Masculine Singular
- Used with masculine nouns like 'un changement', 'un impact', 'un progrès'.
Le gouvernement a annoncé un changement significatif.
When dealing with feminine nouns, the suffix '-if' transforms into '-ive'. This is a very common pattern in French morphology (think of actif/active, sportif/sportive). This change not only affects spelling but also pronunciation, shifting the unvoiced /f/ to a voiced /v/. This is particularly important in spoken French, as failing to voice the /v/ will make it sound like you are using the masculine form, which is a common grammatical error for learners.
- Feminine Singular
- Used with feminine nouns like 'une hausse', 'une baisse', 'une amélioration'.
Nous observons une hausse significative des températures.
In plural forms, you simply add an 's' to the singular forms. The pronunciation of the word itself does not change when pluralized, unless there is a liaison with a following vowel, though this is rare since the adjective usually comes at the end of the noun phrase. However, in highly formal speech, if followed by a conjunction like 'et', a liaison might occur, though it is not strictly required. The key is to ensure the written agreement is perfect, especially in professional or academic writing where this word frequently appears.
- Plural Forms
- Add 's' to the masculine or feminine forms for plural nouns.
Ces détails sont significatifs pour l'enquête.
Les avancées technologiques sont significatives.
Il est significatif que personne n'ait répondu.
The word significatif is ubiquitous in French media, professional environments, and academic discourse. Because it conveys a sense of measurable importance, it is a favorite among journalists, economists, scientists, and politicians. If you tune into French news channels like France 24 or read newspapers like Le Monde or Le Figaro, you will encounter this word almost daily. It is the standard term used to describe trends, shifts in policy, economic indicators, and social changes. Understanding its context helps learners grasp the tone of a text, which is usually serious, objective, and analytical.
- Journalism & News
- Used to report on major events, economic changes, or statistical data.
Le chômage a connu une baisse significative ce trimestre.
In the corporate world, this adjective is essential for meetings, reports, and performance reviews. When discussing sales figures, market share, or project milestones, professionals use it to highlight what truly matters. A manager might praise a team for 'des progrès significatifs' or warn about 'un risque significatif'. It elevates the professional register of the speaker, showing that they can evaluate and prioritize information effectively. For a B2 learner preparing to work in a French-speaking environment, mastering this word is non-negotiable.
- Business & Corporate
- Applied to profits, losses, risks, and performance metrics.
L'entreprise a réalisé un bénéfice significatif cette année.
In academic and scientific contexts, the word takes on a very precise meaning. 'Statistiquement significatif' (statistically significant) is a direct translation of the English concept, meaning that a result is unlikely to have occurred by chance. Researchers use it constantly in their papers and presentations. Even outside hard sciences, in humanities and literature, an author might discuss 'un détail significatif' in a novel, meaning a detail that reveals a deeper theme or character trait. It bridges the gap between quantitative data and qualitative analysis.
- Academic & Scientific
- Denotes statistical relevance or profound thematic importance.
L'échantillon étudié n'est pas assez grand pour être significatif.
Ce poème contient un nombre significatif de métaphores.
C'est un événement significatif dans l'histoire du pays.
When learning the word significatif, English speakers often fall into a few predictable traps. The most prominent mistake is a semantic one: confusing 'significant' in the emotional sense with 'significatif' in French. In English, you might say 'We had a significant conversation' to mean it was deep, emotional, or touching. If you translate this directly to 'une conversation significative', a French speaker will understand it, but it sounds slightly analytical, as if the conversation yielded important data or results. For emotional depth, French prefers words like 'profond' (deep), 'marquant' (memorable), or 'touchant' (touching). Significatif is best reserved for measurable, objective, or highly impactful importance.
- Emotional vs. Objective
- Do not use it for purely emotional importance; use it for objective impact.
INCORRECT: C'était un moment très significatif pour mon cœur. (Prefer: touchant)
Another frequent error is grammatical: failing to agree the adjective with the noun it modifies. Because the masculine form ends in '-if' and the feminine in '-ive', the pronunciation changes drastically. Many learners write 'une augmentation significatif' or say it without voicing the 'v'. This immediately marks the speaker as a non-native and can disrupt the flow of a professional presentation. Always mentally check the gender of the noun before deploying this adjective. If it's 'la baisse', 'la hausse', 'la part', or 'la différence', you must use 'significative'.
- Gender Agreement
- Ensure the suffix matches the noun's gender (-if vs -ive).
CORRECT: Une amélioration significative a été notée.
A third mistake involves word order. In English, adjectives almost always precede the noun ('a significant impact'). In French, 'significatif' is a classifying, objective adjective, meaning it must follow the noun ('un impact significatif'). Placing it before the noun ('un significatif impact') is grammatically incorrect and sounds very strange. While some short, common French adjectives (like beau, bon, grand) go before the noun, longer, multi-syllabic adjectives ending in '-if' invariably go after.
- Word Order
- Always place 'significatif' after the noun it modifies.
INCORRECT: Un significatif problème. CORRECT: Un problème significatif.
Il a joué un rôle significatif dans cette affaire.
La signification de ce mot est complexe, mais son usage est significatif.
Expanding your vocabulary at the B2 level means not just knowing a word, but knowing its synonyms and when to use them instead. Significatif has several close cousins in the French language, each carrying a slightly different nuance. The most common synonym is 'important'. While 'important' is highly versatile and can be used in almost any context, 'significatif' sounds more formal, precise, and analytical. If you are writing an essay, swapping 'important' for 'significatif' instantly elevates your academic tone. Another excellent synonym is 'majeur' (major), which implies something is of the highest importance or scale, often used for crises, changes, or roles.
- Important vs. Significatif
- 'Important' is general; 'significatif' implies measurable or analytical importance.
C'est un détail important, mais est-il vraiment significatif pour l'étude ?
If you want to emphasize the sheer size or volume of something, 'considérable' is a fantastic alternative. While 'significatif' means it matters, 'considérable' means it is physically or abstractly large. For instance, 'une somme d'argent considérable' (a considerable amount of money) focuses on the amount, whereas 'une somme d'argent significative' focuses on the impact that money will have. 'Notable' is another synonym, meaning 'worthy of being noted'. It is slightly weaker than significatif but shares the same formal register, often used in reports to point out interesting but not necessarily game-changing facts.
- Considérable
- Focuses on large size, amount, or extent rather than just analytical impact.
Il a consacré un temps considérable à ce projet significatif.
Finally, words like 'crucial' or 'capital' take the importance to an extreme level. If something is 'crucial', it means the outcome depends entirely on it. 'Significatif' does not necessarily mean life-or-death; it just means it is important enough to be counted. Understanding this hierarchy of importance—from 'notable' (worth mentioning) to 'significatif' (impactful) to 'majeur' (major) to 'crucial' (decisive)—will give you immense precision in your French expression. This nuanced vocabulary is exactly what examiners look for in advanced language proficiency tests like the DELF B2 or DALF C1.
- Crucial / Capital
- Indicates absolute necessity or decisive importance, stronger than significatif.
Cette étape est cruciale pour notre succès.
L'impact de cette loi est significatif, mais pas capital.
Une différence notable n'est pas toujours significative.
How Formal Is It?
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Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Exemples par niveau
C'est un mot significatif.
It is a significant word.
Masculine singular agreement.
Le prix est significatif.
The price is significant.
Used with the verb être.
C'est très significatif.
It is very significant.
Modified by the adverb très.
Un détail significatif.
A significant detail.
Placed after the noun.
Une chose significative.
A significant thing.
Feminine singular agreement (-ive).
C'est un fait significatif.
It is a significant fact.
Basic noun phrase.
Il est significatif.
He/It is significant.
Subject pronoun usage.
Elle est significative.
She/It is significant.
Feminine subject pronoun.
Il y a un changement significatif ici.
There is a significant change here.
Used with 'il y a'.
La différence est significative.
The difference is significant.
Feminine agreement with 'différence'.
C'est un problème significatif pour nous.
It's a significant problem for us.
Adding context with 'pour nous'.
Nous avons un retard significatif.
We have a significant delay.
Direct object usage.
Leur aide a été significative.
Their help was significant.
Passé composé with être as main verb.
Je vois une amélioration significative.
I see a significant improvement.
Feminine agreement with 'amélioration'.
Ce n'est pas très significatif.
It is not very significant.
Negative construction.
Un nombre significatif de personnes.
A significant number of people.
Expression of quantity.
L'impact de cette décision sera significatif.
The impact of this decision will be significant.
Future tense usage.
Ils ont fait des progrès significatifs cette année.
They made significant progress this year.
Masculine plural agreement (-ifs).
Il faut noter cette baisse significative.
We must note this significant drop.
Used with 'il faut'.
C'est une étape significative dans ma vie.
It's a significant step in my life.
Feminine agreement in a broader context.
Le risque d'échec est assez significatif.
The risk of failure is quite significant.
Modified by 'assez'.
Nous avons observé des changements significatifs.
We observed significant changes.
Passé composé with direct object.
Ce résultat est-il vraiment significatif ?
Is this result really significant?
Question structure with inversion.
Une augmentation significative du salaire.
A significant increase in salary.
Common collocation with 'augmentation'.
Une hausse significative du chômage a été enregistrée.
A significant rise in unemployment was recorded.
Passive voice in journalistic style.
Ces données ne sont pas statistiquement significatives.
These data are not statistically significant.
Feminine plural agreement with adverbial modifier.
Il m'a jeté un regard très significatif.
He gave me a very meaningful look.
Used in the expressive/meaningful sense.
L'écart entre les deux groupes est hautement significatif.
The gap between the two groups is highly significant.
Advanced adverbial modifier 'hautement'.
C'est un indicateur significatif de la santé économique.
It is a significant indicator of economic health.
Complex noun phrase construction.
Son silence lors de la réunion était significatif.
His silence during the meeting was telling/significant.
Abstract subject 'silence'.
Nous devons allouer un budget significatif à ce projet.
We must allocate a significant budget to this project.
Professional/business context.
Les conséquences environnementales seront significatives.
The environmental consequences will be significant.
Feminine plural agreement with abstract noun.
L'étude met en exergue une corrélation significative entre ces variables.
The study highlights a significant correlation between these variables.
Formal academic vocabulary ('met en exergue').
Il convient de souligner l'apport significatif de cette théorie.
It is worth emphasizing the significant contribution of this theory.
Impersonal formal structure ('Il convient de').
Cette omission de sa part est particulièrement significative.
This omission on his part is particularly telling.
Nuanced use meaning 'revealing' or 'telling'.
Les fluctuations du marché, bien que mineures, demeurent significatives.
Market fluctuations, although minor, remain significant.
Contrastive clause ('bien que').
Une part significative de la population s'abstient de voter.
A significant portion of the population abstains from voting.
Partitive expression.
Leur refus de coopérer constitue un obstacle significatif.
Their refusal to cooperate constitutes a significant obstacle.
Formal verb 'constituer'.
L'échantillon n'atteint pas le seuil de taille significative.
The sample does not reach the threshold of significant size.
Scientific/statistical phrasing.
C'est une avancée significative dans la lutte contre la maladie.
It is a significant breakthrough in the fight against the disease.
Abstract noun 'avancée'.
L'auteur parsème son œuvre de détails dont la portée est hautement significative.
The author sprinkles his work with details whose scope is highly significant.
Complex relative clause with 'dont'.
Il serait illusoire de nier l'impact significatif de cette réforme structurelle.
It would be illusory to deny the significant impact of this structural reform.
Sophisticated conditional structure.
Cette nuance, loin d'être anecdotique, s'avère profondément significative.
This nuance, far from being anecdotal, proves to be profoundly significant.
Apposition and formal verb 's'avérer'.
La diminution des subventions a entraîné un manque à gagner significatif.
The reduction in subsidies led to a significant shortfall.
Financial terminology ('manque à gagner').
Son geste, d'une portée symbolique significative, a apaisé les tensions.
His gesture, of significant symbolic scope, eased the tensions.
Prepositional phrase acting as an adjective.
Les résultats empiriques corroborent de manière significative notre hypothèse initiale.
The empirical results significantly corroborate our initial hypothesis.
Adverbial phrase 'de manière significative'.
C'est dans ces marges d'erreur que réside le caractère significatif de l'analyse.
It is within these margins of error that the significant nature of the analysis lies.
Cleft sentence for emphasis ('C'est... que').
L'absence de réaction gouvernementale est en soi un message politique significatif.
The lack of government reaction is in itself a significant political message.
Philosophical/analytical construction ('en soi').
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
de manière significative
façon significative
avoir un impact significatif
jouer un rôle significatif
une augmentation significative
une diminution significative
un silence significatif
un regard significatif
des résultats significatifs
une étape significative
Souvent confondu avec
Expressions idiomatiques
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Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
Carries a tone of objectivity. It appeals to logic rather than emotion.
Best used when there is data, evidence, or a clear observation to back up the 'importance'.
- Writing 'un significatif impact' instead of 'un impact significatif' (incorrect word order).
- Pronouncing the feminine 'significative' with an 'f' sound instead of a 'v' sound.
- Using it to describe deep emotional feelings (e.g., 'mon amour significatif') instead of objective facts.
- Forgetting to add the 'e' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'une augmentation significatif').
- Confusing it with the noun 'signification' (e.g., 'C'est une grande signification' instead of 'C'est très significatif').
Astuces
Watch the Ending
Always check the gender of the noun. If it's feminine (like une hausse), use significative. If masculine (like un impact), use significatif.
Voicing the V
Practice the difference between the 'f' and 'v' sounds. The feminine 'significative' requires your vocal cords to vibrate on the final consonant.
Upgrade from 'Important'
Whenever you are about to write 'très important' in an essay, pause and see if 'significatif' fits. It usually sounds much more professional.
Business Essential
Memorize collocations like 'une part significative' (a significant share) or 'des progrès significatifs' for business French contexts.
Post-Nominal Rule
Never put this adjective before the noun. It is a strict rule that classifying adjectives like this one must follow the noun they describe.
Use with Adverbs
Enhance your sentences by pairing it with adverbs. 'Particulièrement significatif' or 'hautement significatif' shows great mastery of nuance.
News Indicator
When listening to French news, hearing 'significatif' is your cue that the journalist is about to reveal the most important data point of the story.
Objective vs Subjective
Keep 'significatif' for objective facts, data, and observable impacts. Use 'touchant' or 'profond' for subjective, emotional feelings.
The Verb 'Jouer'
A very common and natural-sounding phrase is 'jouer un rôle significatif' (to play a significant role). Use this in your speaking exams.
Double 'i'
Pay attention to the spelling: si-gni-fi-ca-tif. There are three 'i's before you get to the 'a'. Don't accidentally spell it like the English word.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'SIGN' that is 'FICTIVE' (fake) but so big it's SIGNIFICANT. Or simply relate it to the English 'significant' as they are near-perfect cognates.
Origine du mot
Latin
Contexte culturel
Formal/Professional. While not overly pretentious for daily use, it belongs to a higher register than basic adjectives.
In slang, someone might say 'un truc de ouf' (a crazy thing) to express that an event was significant, though this lacks the analytical nuance.
Universally understood across all Francophone regions (France, Quebec, Belgium, Switzerland, Africa) with no major variation in meaning.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"Penses-tu que l'intelligence artificielle aura un impact significatif sur notre travail ?"
"Quel a été l'événement le plus significatif de ton année ?"
"As-tu remarqué une différence significative depuis la nouvelle loi ?"
"Crois-tu que ces statistiques soient vraiment significatives ?"
"Pourquoi ce détail est-il si significatif pour toi ?"
Sujets d'écriture
Décrivez un changement significatif dans votre vie récente.
Analysez une nouvelle récente qui a eu un impact significatif sur votre pays.
Racontez un moment où un 'silence significatif' en disait plus que des mots.
Quels sont les progrès les plus significatifs que vous avez faits en français ?
Écrivez sur une invention qui a apporté une amélioration significative à l'humanité.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt almost always goes after the noun. In French, adjectives that classify or provide objective descriptions follow the noun. For example, you must say 'un changement significatif', not 'un significatif changement'.
The feminine form is 'significative'. You must clearly pronounce the 'v' at the end, making it sound like 've' in the English word 'give'. The masculine form 'significatif' ends with a sharp 'f' sound.
It is generally not recommended. While a French speaker will understand you, 'significatif' sounds very analytical and objective. For emotional experiences, it is better to use words like 'touchant', 'profond', or 'marquant'.
The adverb form is 'significativement', which means 'significantly'. It is formed by taking the feminine form of the adjective (significative) and adding the suffix '-ment'.
Yes, it is considered a formal or professional word. While you can use it in everyday conversation, it is most commonly found in journalism, academic writing, business reports, and formal speeches.
It is the direct translation of 'statistically significant'. It is used in science and research to indicate that a result is likely not due to chance, based on mathematical calculations.
It is rarely used to describe a person directly. You wouldn't usually say 'C'est un homme significatif'. Instead, you would describe their role or impact: 'Il a joué un rôle significatif'.
A 'regard significatif' translates to a 'meaningful look' or a 'telling look'. It means someone looked at you in a way that communicated a specific, often unspoken, message or emotion.
For the masculine plural, add an 's' to make 'significatifs' (the 's' is silent). For the feminine plural, add an 's' to make 'significatives' (the 's' is silent, but the 'v' is still pronounced).
'Majeur', 'considérable', and 'notable' are excellent synonyms. Using a variety of these words instead of repeating 'important' will demonstrate a strong lexical range to examiners.
Teste-toi 181 questions
Write a sentence using 'un impact significatif'.
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Ensure correct word order and agreement.
Ensure correct word order and agreement.
Write a sentence using 'une hausse significative'.
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Ensure feminine agreement.
Ensure feminine agreement.
Write a sentence using 'des progrès significatifs'.
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Ensure masculine plural agreement.
Ensure masculine plural agreement.
Write a sentence using 'des différences significatives'.
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Ensure feminine plural agreement.
Ensure feminine plural agreement.
Translate: 'The result is significant.'
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Use the verb être and masculine singular.
Use the verb être and masculine singular.
Translate: 'The change is significant.'
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Changement is masculine.
Changement is masculine.
Translate: 'The difference is significant.'
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Différence is feminine.
Différence is feminine.
Translate: 'A significant number.'
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Nombre is masculine.
Nombre is masculine.
Translate: 'A significant part.'
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Part is feminine.
Part is feminine.
Translate: 'Statistically significant.'
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Use the adverb statistiquement.
Use the adverb statistiquement.
Write a sentence with the adverb 'significativement'.
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Use it to modify a verb.
Use it to modify a verb.
Write a sentence using 'un regard significatif'.
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Use it to describe a meaningful look.
Use it to describe a meaningful look.
Write a sentence using 'un silence significatif'.
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Use it to describe a telling silence.
Use it to describe a telling silence.
Translate: 'It is very significant.'
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Use the modifier très.
Use the modifier très.
Translate: 'It is not significant.'
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Use negative structure.
Use negative structure.
Write a formal sentence for a business report using this word.
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Maintain a formal register.
Maintain a formal register.
Write a sentence comparing two things using this word.
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Use words like écart or différence.
Use words like écart or différence.
Translate: 'A significant event.'
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Événement is masculine.
Événement is masculine.
Translate: 'Significant consequences.'
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Conséquences is feminine plural.
Conséquences is feminine plural.
Translate: 'A significant advantage.'
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Avantage is masculine.
Avantage is masculine.
Pronounce the masculine singular form.
Read this aloud:
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End with a sharp F sound.
Pronounce the feminine singular form.
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End with a voiced V sound.
Say 'A significant impact' in French.
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Focus on word order and masculine agreement.
Say 'A significant difference' in French.
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Focus on feminine agreement and V sound.
Say 'It is very significant' in French.
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Use 'C'est' and 'très'.
Say 'Significant progress' in French.
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Plural form, silent S.
Say 'A meaningful look' in French.
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Use 'regard'.
Say 'Statistically significant' in French.
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Practice the long adverb.
Say 'A significant drop' in French.
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Use 'baisse'.
Say 'A significant rise' in French.
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Use 'hausse'.
Say 'The meaning' in French.
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Practice the noun form.
Say 'Significantly' in French.
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Practice the adverb form.
Say 'A significant event' in French.
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Use 'événement'.
Say 'Significant consequences' in French.
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Feminine plural.
Say 'A significant advantage' in French.
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Use 'avantage'.
Say 'A significant delay' in French.
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Use 'retard'.
Say 'A significant budget' in French.
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Tu as dit :
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Use 'budget'.
Say 'A significant risk' in French.
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Use 'risque'.
Say 'A significant part' in French.
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Use 'part'.
Say 'A significant number' in French.
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Use 'nombre'.
Listen and write: Un impact significatif.
Masculine singular spelling.
Listen and write: Une hausse significative.
Feminine singular spelling.
Listen and write: Des progrès significatifs.
Masculine plural spelling.
Listen and write: Des différences significatives.
Feminine plural spelling.
Listen and write: C'est très significatif.
Basic sentence spelling.
Listen and write: Statistiquement significatif.
Adverb spelling.
Listen and write: Un regard significatif.
Collocation spelling.
Listen and write: Un silence significatif.
Collocation spelling.
Listen and write: La signification.
Noun spelling.
Listen and write: Significativement.
Adverb spelling.
Listen and write: Un changement significatif.
Collocation spelling.
Listen and write: Une baisse significative.
Collocation spelling.
Listen and write: Un écart significatif.
Collocation spelling.
Listen and write: Une part significative.
Collocation spelling.
Listen and write: Un nombre significatif.
Collocation spelling.
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Summary
Use 'significatif' to describe something that has a measurable, objective, or profound impact, rather than just emotional importance. Example: 'Une baisse significative des prix' (A significant drop in prices).
- Means 'significant', 'meaningful', or 'important'.
- Must agree in gender: significatif (m) / significative (f).
- Usually placed after the noun it modifies.
- Commonly used in news, business, and science.
Watch the Ending
Always check the gender of the noun. If it's feminine (like une hausse), use significative. If masculine (like un impact), use significatif.
Voicing the V
Practice the difference between the 'f' and 'v' sounds. The feminine 'significative' requires your vocal cords to vibrate on the final consonant.
Upgrade from 'Important'
Whenever you are about to write 'très important' in an essay, pause and see if 'significatif' fits. It usually sounds much more professional.
Business Essential
Memorize collocations like 'une part significative' (a significant share) or 'des progrès significatifs' for business French contexts.
Exemple
Les résultats de l'étude sont très significatifs.
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