A2 Proverb ニュートラル

Jamais deux sans trois

Never two without three

意味

Things often happen in threes.

🌍

文化的背景

In France, the number 3 is often seen as a 'balancing' number. This proverb is frequently used with a shrug (the famous 'Gallic shrug') to show a mix of annoyance and acceptance. The phrase is just as common in Quebec as in France. However, Quebecers might also use 'La loi des séries' more frequently in informal contexts to describe a run of bad luck. Belgian French speakers use the proverb identically to the French. It is a staple of 'belgicismes' in daily conversation, often used with a sense of self-deprecating humor. In Romandy (French-speaking Switzerland), the phrase is used in professional settings to describe recurring technical or administrative errors, often to soften the blow of a mistake.

🎯

Use it for small talk

This is a perfect 'filler' phrase when you don't know what else to say about a coincidence.

⚠️

Don't overthink the math

It's a proverb, not a law of physics. Don't use it to argue a point in a serious debate.

意味

Things often happen in threes.

🎯

Use it for small talk

This is a perfect 'filler' phrase when you don't know what else to say about a coincidence.

⚠️

Don't overthink the math

It's a proverb, not a law of physics. Don't use it to argue a point in a serious debate.

💬

The 'Third' can be anything

The third event doesn't have to be identical to the first two, just in the same 'spirit' (e.g., two broken things and then a lost key).

自分をテスト

Complete the proverb.

J'ai perdu mes clés et mon portefeuille... Jamais deux ___ trois !

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: sans

The correct preposition is 'sans' (without).

In which situation is this phrase MOST appropriate?

You just won two small prizes at a fair.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Saying it to hope for a third prize.

It can be used optimistically to hope for a continuation of a winning streak.

Choose the best response for Marc.

Léa: 'C'est incroyable, j'ai croisé mon prof de français au supermarché et maintenant au cinéma !' Marc: '...'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Jamais deux sans trois !

Marc is commenting on the coincidence of seeing the teacher twice.

Match the event to the likely use of the phrase.

Event: Two flight delays in one trip.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A) Predicting a third delay.

The phrase is used to predict a third occurrence of a negative event.

🎉 スコア: /4

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練習問題バンク

4 問題
Complete the proverb. Fill Blank A1

J'ai perdu mes clés et mon portefeuille... Jamais deux ___ trois !

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: sans

The correct preposition is 'sans' (without).

In which situation is this phrase MOST appropriate? Choose A2

You just won two small prizes at a fair.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Saying it to hope for a third prize.

It can be used optimistically to hope for a continuation of a winning streak.

Choose the best response for Marc. dialogue_completion A2

Léa: 'C'est incroyable, j'ai croisé mon prof de français au supermarché et maintenant au cinéma !' Marc: '...'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Jamais deux sans trois !

Marc is commenting on the coincidence of seeing the teacher twice.

Match the event to the likely use of the phrase. situation_matching A2

Event: Two flight delays in one trip.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A) Predicting a third delay.

The phrase is used to predict a third occurrence of a negative event.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

10 問

No, but it is used for bad luck about 80% of the time. It can be used for good luck or neutral coincidences too.

No, that is not a standard proverb. The pattern must reach two before the proverb is triggered.

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss (if they have a sense of humor) or with your friends.

Yes, it is a timeless proverb that hasn't gone out of style.

Then the proverb no longer applies! You might say 'C'est la fin du monde !' (It's the end of the world!) jokingly.

Sometimes people just say 'Jamais deux sans trois...' and let the listener finish the thought.

No, it is almost always used as a standalone exclamation.

Yes, very often in dialogue to show a character's personality or reaction to events.

Yes, if two friends show up unexpectedly and then a third arrives, it's perfect.

Not exactly. 'Third time's a charm' implies the third try will be successful. 'Jamais deux sans trois' just implies a third thing will happen.

関連フレーズ

🔗

La loi des séries

similar

The law of series / streaks.

🔗

Un malheur n'arrive jamais seul

similar

Misfortune never comes alone.

🔗

La troisième fois est la bonne

contrast

Third time's a charm.

🔗

Et de trois !

builds on

And that's three!

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