Meaning
To cause consequences or effects, often negative.
Cultural Background
In France, the phrase is often associated with 'les grands travaux' (major public works). Politicians use it to justify the high cost of projects like the TGV or the Louvre Pyramid by promising 'retombées' for the future. In Quebec, 'retombées' is frequently used in the context of 'le rayonnement culturel' (cultural influence). Festivals like 'Juste pour rire' are analyzed for their 'retombées touristiques'. In the complex political landscape of Belgium, 'retombées' often refers to how a federal decision will affect the different regions (Wallonia, Flanders, Brussels). In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, the phrase is common in development discourse, particularly regarding international aid or new infrastructure projects.
The Adjective is Key
Always pair 'retombées' with an adjective (économiques, politiques, sociales) to sound like a native expert.
Register Check
Don't use this with your friends at a bar unless you're being intentionally ironic or pompous.
Meaning
To cause consequences or effects, often negative.
The Adjective is Key
Always pair 'retombées' with an adjective (économiques, politiques, sociales) to sound like a native expert.
Register Check
Don't use this with your friends at a bar unless you're being intentionally ironic or pompous.
The 'Langue de Bois'
Be aware that politicians often use 'retombées positives' to hide the high cost of a project. Listen for it in speeches!
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase avec la forme correcte du verbe 'engendrer'.
Cette nouvelle politique _________ des retombées économiques importantes l'année prochaine. (Futur simple)
The subject is 'Cette nouvelle politique' (3rd person singular) and the context requires the future simple.
Quelle est la meilleure utilisation de l'expression ?
Dans quel contexte utiliseriez-vous 'engendrer des retombées' ?
The phrase is formal and used for secondary consequences of major events.
Associez l'adjectif au type de retombée.
Associez les éléments suivants :
These are the most common collocations with 'retombées'.
Complétez le dialogue de manière professionnelle.
A: Le projet a été un succès. B: Oui, il a ________ des ________ positives pour toute la région.
This is the most professional and idiomatic way to express this in a business context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
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Practice Bank
4 exercisesCette nouvelle politique _________ des retombées économiques importantes l'année prochaine. (Futur simple)
The subject is 'Cette nouvelle politique' (3rd person singular) and the context requires the future simple.
Dans quel contexte utiliseriez-vous 'engendrer des retombées' ?
The phrase is formal and used for secondary consequences of major events.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most common collocations with 'retombées'.
A: Le projet a été un succès. B: Oui, il a ________ des ________ positives pour toute la région.
This is the most professional and idiomatic way to express this in a business context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, although it is very often used for positive economic spin-offs, it can also refer to negative political or social fallout.
Almost always. While 'une retombée' exists, the collocation 'engendrer des retombées' is plural because consequences are rarely singular.
'Conséquences' is neutral and direct. 'Retombées' implies secondary, indirect, or spreading effects.
Yes, 'produire des retombées' is correct and slightly less formal than 'engendrer'.
In modern French, only in very formal, biological, or biblical contexts. For families, use 'avoir des enfants'.
It is silent! It sounds exactly like 'il engendre' (/ɑ̃.ʒɑ̃.dʁ/).
Yes, it is very common in Quebecois business and political news.
It refers to the amount of media coverage (articles, TV segments) a project or event receives.
Yes, but 'donner des résultats' or 'aboutir à des résultats' is more common.
Yes, it literally means 'a falling back'.
Related Phrases
entraîner des conséquences
synonymTo lead to consequences
avoir des répercussions
similarTo have repercussions
faire boule de neige
builds onTo snowball
porter ses fruits
similarTo bear fruit
susciter un tollé
specialized formTo cause an outcry
