indubitablement déraisonnable
indubitablement déraisonnable
Literally: undoubtedly unreasonable
In 15 Seconds
- A sophisticated way to call something completely illogical or foolish.
- Combines 'without a doubt' with 'unreasonable' for maximum impact.
- Perfect for professional debates or complaining about high prices.
Meaning
This phrase describes something that is completely, undeniably illogical or foolish. It is what you say when a situation or a price is so crazy that there is simply no way to justify it.
Key Examples
3 of 6Complaining about a bill
Payer cent euros pour ce service est indubitablement déraisonnable.
Paying a hundred euros for this service is undoubtedly unreasonable.
Reacting to a friend's wild travel plan
Ton idée de traverser la France à vélo en un jour est indubitablement déraisonnable !
Your idea to cycle across France in one day is undoubtedly unreasonable!
In a business meeting
Ce calendrier de production me semble indubitablement déraisonnable.
This production schedule seems undoubtedly unreasonable to me.
Cultural Background
The French education system (the 'Baccalauréat') emphasizes philosophy and logic. Using terms like 'indubitablement' shows that you have mastered the 'dissertation' style of thinking. In Quebec, while the phrase is understood, people might prefer 'ça n'a aucun bon sens,' which is slightly more idiomatic in North American French. Belgian French uses this in administrative contexts similarly to France, often in discussions about 'la bureaucratie' (bureaucracy). In Swiss French, this phrase might be used in banking or legal contexts to describe high-risk or illogical financial moves.
Use it in your DELF/DALF exam
Using this collocation in the writing section of a B2 or C1 exam will instantly impress the examiner with your register control.
Don't overdo it
If you use it three times in one conversation, you will sound like you are trying too hard to be an intellectual.
In 15 Seconds
- A sophisticated way to call something completely illogical or foolish.
- Combines 'without a doubt' with 'unreasonable' for maximum impact.
- Perfect for professional debates or complaining about high prices.
What It Means
Think of this as the 'nuclear option' for calling out nonsense. It combines indubitablement (without a doubt) with déraisonnable (lacking reason). When you use this, you aren't just saying something is a bit silly. You are stating that, logically speaking, it makes zero sense. It’s the verbal equivalent of throwing your hands up in a very sophisticated way. You are pointing out a lack of common sense that is so obvious it cannot be debated.
How To Use It
You will usually use this phrase to describe an idea, a price, or a behavior. It often follows the verb être (to be). For example, C'est indubitablement déraisonnable. You can also use it to modify a noun, like une demande indubitablement déraisonnable. Because it is a bit of a mouthful, it carries a lot of weight. Use it when you want to sound firm, intellectual, and slightly unimpressed. It’s a great way to shut down a bad suggestion without using slang.
When To Use It
This phrase shines in professional settings or when you are complaining about something formal. Imagine you are at a high-end restaurant and they want fifty euros for a glass of tap water. That is indubitablement déraisonnable. Or perhaps a boss asks you to finish a three-week project by tomorrow morning. It’s also perfect for those moments when a friend suggests something truly wild, like driving ten hours just to get a specific type of pizza. It adds a layer of dramatic flair to your objection.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for small, cute mistakes. If your toddler puts their shoes on the wrong feet, calling it indubitablement déraisonnable is way too much. It’s also a bit too stiff for a casual night out with very close friends unless you are being intentionally ironic. Don't use it if you aren't 100% sure the thing is actually bad. If there's a chance the idea might work, this phrase is too final. It leaves no room for 'maybe.'
Cultural Background
France has a long history of valuing 'la raison' (reason) and logic, dating back to philosophers like Descartes. To call something déraisonnable is a significant critique in French culture. It implies a failure of the intellect. Using the adverb indubitablement adds a touch of 'L'Académie française' elegance. It shows you have a strong command of the language and a sharp, critical mind. It’s the kind of phrase that makes people stop and reconsider their position because you sound so certain.
Common Variations
If you want to tone it down, you might just say C'est déraisonnable. If you want to sound more modern or casual, you could say C'est n'importe quoi (That's nonsense). For something even more intense, try C'est parfaitement absurde (It's perfectly absurd). If you are writing a formal letter, you might use manifestement déraisonnable (manifestly unreasonable). Each variation shifts the flavor slightly, but indubitablement remains the king of sophisticated certainty.
Usage Notes
This is a high-register collocation. It is best suited for formal writing, professional arguments, or ironic humor among friends. Avoid using it in very relaxed, slang-heavy environments unless you want to sound intentionally 'posh'.
Use it in your DELF/DALF exam
Using this collocation in the writing section of a B2 or C1 exam will instantly impress the examiner with your register control.
Don't overdo it
If you use it three times in one conversation, you will sound like you are trying too hard to be an intellectual.
The 'Râleur' factor
French people love to complain about things being 'unreasonable.' This phrase is your ticket to joining a high-level French rant.
Spelling check
Remember: 'indubitablement' has only one 'm' because 'indubitable' ends in 'e'.
Examples
6Payer cent euros pour ce service est indubitablement déraisonnable.
Paying a hundred euros for this service is undoubtedly unreasonable.
Used here to express firm dissatisfaction with a price.
Ton idée de traverser la France à vélo en un jour est indubitablement déraisonnable !
Your idea to cycle across France in one day is undoubtedly unreasonable!
The formal tone adds a humorous, mock-serious effect to the friendship.
Ce calendrier de production me semble indubitablement déraisonnable.
This production schedule seems undoubtedly unreasonable to me.
A polite but very firm way to say a deadline is impossible.
Sortir à 2h du matin en semaine ? C'est indubitablement déraisonnable, mais j'arrive.
Going out at 2 AM on a weekday? It's undoubtedly unreasonable, but I'm coming.
Shows the user knows they are making a bad choice.
Cette nouvelle loi est indubitablement déraisonnable pour les petites entreprises.
This new law is undoubtedly unreasonable for small businesses.
Common in journalistic or political commentary.
Tes attentes envers moi sont indubitablement déraisonnables en ce moment.
Your expectations of me are undoubtedly unreasonable right now.
Used to set a boundary during an emotional argument.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Demander à un stagiaire de diriger l'entreprise est ________ ________.
We need the adverb 'indubitablement' and the negative adjective 'déraisonnable' to express absurdity.
Which situation best fits the use of 'indubitablement déraisonnable'?
Choose the correct scenario:
This is a major, illogical demand that warrants a formal, strong critique.
Complete the dialogue in a formal register.
Client: 'Je veux que ce logiciel soit prêt demain matin.' Développeur: 'Monsieur, c'est ________.'
In a formal client-developer relationship, 'indubitablement déraisonnable' is the most professional way to reject an impossible deadline.
Match the register to the sentence.
Match the following:
The length and complexity of the words indicate the register.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Register Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDemander à un stagiaire de diriger l'entreprise est ________ ________.
We need the adverb 'indubitablement' and the negative adjective 'déraisonnable' to express absurdity.
Choose the correct scenario:
This is a major, illogical demand that warrants a formal, strong critique.
Client: 'Je veux que ce logiciel soit prêt demain matin.' Développeur: 'Monsieur, c'est ________.'
In a formal client-developer relationship, 'indubitablement déraisonnable' is the most professional way to reject an impossible deadline.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
The length and complexity of the words indicate the register.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'indubitablement' is much stronger. It means there is zero possibility of doubt, whereas 'certainement' is just 'certainly.'
Yes, you can say 'Il est indubitablement déraisonnable,' but it is a very harsh critique of their character or state of mind.
'Indubitablement' adds a layer of objective truth. 'Très' is just a subjective intensity.
Yes, but it sounds very formal or 'European' to Quebecers.
I-N-D-U-B-I-T-A-B-L-E-M-E-N-T. One 'm'!
Only if you are being ironic or talking to a boss/professor.
'Parfaitement raisonnable' or 'tout à fait logique.'
It is much more common in formal writing (essays, news, letters).
In a logical sense, yes. But it doesn't mean 'mentally ill' (fou).
No, it's too strong. Use 'c'est dommage' or 'c'est bête' for small things.
Related Phrases
totalement absurde
synonymcompletely absurd
manifestement infondé
similarmanifestly unfounded
hors de propos
relatedirrelevant
parfaitement logique
contrastperfectly logical
insensé
synonymsenseless
