In 15 Seconds
- Refers to forecasts that are impossible to accurately determine.
- Commonly used in finance, weather, and complex social situations.
- Reflects a realistic and skeptical French intellectual attitude.
Meaning
It refers to predictions or forecasts that are completely impossible to make with any accuracy. It's what you say when someone asks you to guess the future of something totally unpredictable.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing the local weather
Prédire le temps en Bretagne, c'est faire des prévisions impossibles.
Predicting the weather in Brittany is making impossible forecasts.
In a professional meeting
Le marché est trop instable pour éviter des prévisions impossibles.
The market is too unstable to avoid impossible forecasts.
Texting a friend about a match
Avec cette équipe, ce sont des prévisions impossibles !
With this team, it's impossible to make any predictions!
Cultural Background
The French often use 'impossible' not as a literal dead-end, but as a starting point for a debate. Saying a prediction is impossible is an invitation to discuss the variables. In Quebec, the phrase is used but might be replaced by 'on peut pas deviner' in casual speech. The formal register remains identical to France. Swiss French speakers might use this in banking and insurance contexts with extreme precision, emphasizing the risk management aspect. In Francophone Africa, formal French is often very classical. You might hear this in political speeches on the radio.
The 'De' Trick
If you want to sound like a native, always use 'd'impossibles' instead of 'des impossibles'. It's a small change that signals high-level grammar mastery.
Don't overdo it
Using this phrase for small things like 'what's for dinner' makes you sound like a drama queen. Save it for big, complex topics.
In 15 Seconds
- Refers to forecasts that are impossible to accurately determine.
- Commonly used in finance, weather, and complex social situations.
- Reflects a realistic and skeptical French intellectual attitude.
What It Means
This phrase describes the act of trying to guess the future. It specifically targets situations where there is too much chaos. Imagine trying to predict exactly where a leaf will land. Or guessing the stock market's mood tomorrow morning. It highlights the futility of certain expectations. You are essentially saying that any guess is just a wild stab. It’s about acknowledging the limits of human logic.
How To Use It
You will usually use this with the verb faire. For example, faire des prévisions impossibles. You can also use it as a standalone observation. If a friend asks who will win a complex election, use this. It works as a noun phrase in most sentences. Always remember to make the adjective impossibles plural. The noun prévisions also needs that final 's'. It’s a great way to sound analytical and grounded.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing the weather in unpredictable regions. It is perfect for professional meetings about long-term budgets. Use it when talking about sports results or horse racing. It’s common in political debates on French television. You can use it when a friend asks for life advice. It fits well in any conversation about the unknown. It shows you are a realist who respects complexity.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that are actually certain. If you know it will rain, don't call it impossible. Avoid it for simple, everyday choices like what to eat. It’s not meant for sarcastic comments about obvious things. Don't use it if you are just being lazy. It implies a genuine structural difficulty in knowing the future. Keep it for complex systems and big events.
Cultural Background
French culture deeply values intellectual rigor and skepticism. They often mock "experts" who claim to know everything. This phrase reflects a healthy doubt toward bold claims. It’s a staple in French media during economic crises. There is a certain pride in admitting we cannot know everything. It’s linked to the French love for philosophical debate. It suggests that the world is beautifully, and frustratingly, unpredictable.
Common Variations
You might hear prédictions impossibles for a more mystical tone. L'imprévisible is a shorter, more abstract way to say it. Some people say jouer aux devinettes, which means playing riddles. In casual settings, you might hear C'est du pile ou face. That means it is just a coin toss. On ne peut pas savoir is the most basic version. Each variation adds a slightly different flavor to your doubt.
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly versatile and sits comfortably in both professional and casual registers. Always ensure the adjective 'impossibles' follows the noun 'prévisions' for correct French syntax.
The 'De' Trick
If you want to sound like a native, always use 'd'impossibles' instead of 'des impossibles'. It's a small change that signals high-level grammar mastery.
Don't overdo it
Using this phrase for small things like 'what's for dinner' makes you sound like a drama queen. Save it for big, complex topics.
Intellectual Honesty
In French culture, saying 'I don't know' is okay, but saying 'It's an impossible forecast' shows you've actually thought about why you don't know.
Examples
6Prédire le temps en Bretagne, c'est faire des prévisions impossibles.
Predicting the weather in Brittany is making impossible forecasts.
A classic joke about the rapidly changing Atlantic weather.
Le marché est trop instable pour éviter des prévisions impossibles.
The market is too unstable to avoid impossible forecasts.
Used here to justify why a specific number can't be given.
Avec cette équipe, ce sont des prévisions impossibles !
With this team, it's impossible to make any predictions!
Expressing frustration over an inconsistent sports team.
Savoir s'il va pleurer ? C'est une prévision impossible.
Knowing if he will cry? That's an impossible prediction.
Comparing a child's mood to a complex system.
On ne peut pas savoir comment on réagira, ce sont des prévisions impossibles.
We can't know how we'll react; those are impossible predictions.
Used to describe the unpredictability of human emotions.
Les journalistes font souvent des prévisions impossibles sur l'économie.
Journalists often make impossible forecasts about the economy.
A common critique of media speculation.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
Dans ce chaos politique, les journalistes font ________.
The adjective 'impossibles' is plural and precedes the noun, so 'des' becomes 'd''.
Which sentence is the most formal?
Choose the best option:
Option C uses the 'Adjective + Noun' structure which is the most elevated.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Penses-tu que l'inflation va baisser ? B: ________, tout dépend de la guerre.
B is expressing that it's impossible to know because of external factors.
Match the phrase to the context.
Where would you most likely see 'd'impossibles prévisions'?
It is a formal, journalistic phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDans ce chaos politique, les journalistes font ________.
The adjective 'impossibles' is plural and precedes the noun, so 'des' becomes 'd''.
Choose the best option:
Option C uses the 'Adjective + Noun' structure which is the most elevated.
A: Penses-tu que l'inflation va baisser ? B: ________, tout dépend de la guerre.
B is expressing that it's impossible to know because of external factors.
Where would you most likely see 'd'impossibles prévisions'?
It is a formal, journalistic phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's perfectly correct and more common in spoken French. 'D'impossibles prévisions' is just more formal and stylistic.
Yes, it's very common when the weather is extremely unpredictable, like in the mountains.
'Prévision' is based on logic/data. 'Prédiction' is based on intuition or magic.
In French, when a plural adjective comes before the noun, 'des' usually changes to 'de'.
Yes, very often in financial reports to explain why targets weren't met due to market volatility.
Yes, to say that the future of a relationship is unpredictable. It sounds a bit poetic.
It is almost always plural because a 'forecast' usually involves multiple data points or scenarios.
You don't. It's silent because the next word 'prévisions' starts with a consonant.
Yes, 'C'est du pifomètre' is the most common idiomatic/slang equivalent.
Not at all. It sounds educated and modern, especially in news and podcasts.
Related Phrases
prévoir l'imprévisible
similarTo predict the unpredictable.
jouer aux devinettes
contrastTo play guessing games.
un saut dans l'inconnu
builds onA leap into the unknown.
lire dans le marc de café
synonymTo read coffee grounds.
