Meaning
One cannot be expected to do something that is impossible.
Cultural Background
This proverb is not just a saying; it is a principle used in French courts to define 'force majeure'. If an event is 'imprévisible' (unpredictable) and 'irrésistible' (unavoidable), you are not held responsible. French employees value their rights and the 'Code du Travail'. Using this phrase can be a way to assert that one's workload has reached a point of physical impossibility, which is taken seriously in a culture that values work-life balance. You will find variations of this phrase in the works of Molière and Corneille. It represents the 'Honnête homme' (the 17th-century ideal of a gentleman) who is rational and knows his limits.
Use it to sound more native
Instead of just saying 'Je ne peux pas', using this proverb makes you sound like you have a deep grasp of French culture and logic.
Don't over-conjugate
Keep it in the present tense. Saying 'À l'impossible, nul n'était tenu' is grammatically possible but sounds very strange to native ears.
Meaning
One cannot be expected to do something that is impossible.
Use it to sound more native
Instead of just saying 'Je ne peux pas', using this proverb makes you sound like you have a deep grasp of French culture and logic.
Don't over-conjugate
Keep it in the present tense. Saying 'À l'impossible, nul n'était tenu' is grammatically possible but sounds very strange to native ears.
Test Yourself
Complete the proverb with the correct word.
À l'impossible, ___ n'est tenu.
'Nul' is the traditional pronoun used in this specific proverb.
In which situation is this phrase most appropriate?
Your boss asks you to fly to Tokyo in 10 minutes from Paris.
This situation describes a physical impossibility, making the proverb perfect.
What does 'tenu' mean in this context?
À l'impossible, nul n'est tenu.
'Tenu' comes from 'tenir' and here refers to being legally or morally bound.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu peux réparer ce vase cassé en mille morceaux ? B: Désolé, ______.
Repairing a vase shattered into a thousand pieces is a classic 'impossible' task.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesÀ l'impossible, ___ n'est tenu.
'Nul' is the traditional pronoun used in this specific proverb.
Your boss asks you to fly to Tokyo in 10 minutes from Paris.
This situation describes a physical impossibility, making the proverb perfect.
À l'impossible, nul n'est tenu.
'Tenu' comes from 'tenir' and here refers to being legally or morally bound.
A: Tu peux réparer ce vase cassé en mille morceaux ? B: Désolé, ______.
Repairing a vase shattered into a thousand pieces is a classic 'impossible' task.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsIn modern slang, 'nul' means 'sucks' or 'bad'. However, in this proverb, it is an old-fashioned pronoun meaning 'no one'. It is not rude at all here.
Yes, it is very appropriate for formal emails when you need to explain why a deadline cannot be met due to external factors.
This is the 'ne littéraire'. In formal or old French, 'nul' or 'personne' combined with 'ne' is sufficient to create a negative without 'pas'.
Not really. It's a fixed proverb. Shortening it would make it lose its identity.
Usually, it's for tasks or obligations. Using it for feelings (e.g., 'I can't love you') would sound very dramatic and a bit cold.
Young people know it, but they might use it ironically or in professional settings. It's not 'slang', but it's definitely not dead.
Related Phrases
Faire l'impossible
contrastTo do everything possible (to move heaven and earth).
Nul n'est censé ignorer la loi
similarNo one is supposed to be ignorant of the law.
Vouloir, c'est pouvoir
contrastWhere there's a will, there's a way.
