In 15 Seconds
- A conscious and intentional decision.
- Used for serious or philosophical contexts.
- Emphasizes personal responsibility and logic.
Meaning
This phrase refers to a conscious, intentional decision or assessment made with full awareness and purpose.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a legal context
Le juge a rendu un volontaire jugement après délibération.
The judge rendered a voluntary judgment after deliberation.
Discussing a personal life change
C'était un volontaire jugement de quitter mon emploi.
It was a voluntary judgment to leave my job.
In a professional meeting
Nous devons exercer un volontaire jugement sur ce dossier.
We must exercise a voluntary judgment on this file.
Cultural Background
The phrase is linked to the 'esprit critique' taught in French schools. Students are encouraged to develop their own judgment rather than memorizing facts. In Quebec, the phrase is also used in legal contexts, particularly regarding the 'Code Civil du Québec', which emphasizes the consent of the parties. In Swiss French, this phrase might appear in discussions about direct democracy and the responsibility of the voter during a 'votation'. In Belgian administrative French, it can be used to describe the discretionary power of an official.
Use it in the 'Bac Philo'
If you ever take a French philosophy exam, using this phrase correctly is an instant grade-booster.
Don't use it at the bakery
It's too formal for shopping. Stick to 'Je voudrais...'.
In 15 Seconds
- A conscious and intentional decision.
- Used for serious or philosophical contexts.
- Emphasizes personal responsibility and logic.
What It Means
Imagine you are standing at a crossroads. You do not just flip a coin. You stop and think. You weigh every single option carefully. That final decision is your volontaire jugement. It is a choice made with full intent. It is not an accident or a reflex. It is you taking the wheel of your own mind. It implies that you are fully responsible for the conclusion you have reached.
How To Use It
In French, adjectives usually follow the noun. However, placing volontaire before jugement adds a poetic or emphatic flair. It is a stylistic choice that highlights the 'will' behind the thought. You use it as a noun phrase to describe a specific mental act. For example, you might say it was a volontaire jugement to trust someone. It sounds sophisticated and deliberate.
When To Use It
Use this when the stakes are high. It fits perfectly in legal documents or deep philosophical talks. It works well when you want to sound firm and certain. If you are defending a difficult choice, this is your phrase. It tells people that you meant exactly what you decided. It is also great for professional evaluations or serious personal reflections.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for trivial things. If you are picking a pizza topping, it is too much. Your friends might think you are being a bit dramatic. Avoid it in very casual, slang-filled chats. It will sound out of place, like wearing a tuxedo to a backyard barbecue. Keep it for moments that actually require mental weight.
Cultural Background
The French deeply value the concept of libre arbitre or free will. Since the era of Enlightenment thinkers like Descartes, logic has been king. Making a volontaire jugement is seen as the ultimate act of a rational human. It shows you are not just a leaf in the wind. You are an active participant in your own life and logic.
Common Variations
You will often hear jugement délibéré in a courtroom setting. People also use acte volontaire for intentional actions. If you want to be a bit simpler, you can use choix conscient. For something very formal, stick with libre arbitre. All of these phrases circle the same idea of being truly intentional.
Usage Notes
This is a high-register collocation. It is best reserved for writing or formal speeches where you want to emphasize the intellectual weight of a decision.
Use it in the 'Bac Philo'
If you ever take a French philosophy exam, using this phrase correctly is an instant grade-booster.
Don't use it at the bakery
It's too formal for shopping. Stick to 'Je voudrais...'.
The power of 'Non'
In France, exercising your judgment often means saying 'no' to the status quo.
Examples
6Le juge a rendu un volontaire jugement après délibération.
The judge rendered a voluntary judgment after deliberation.
Here, it emphasizes that the judge's decision was intentional and reasoned.
C'était un volontaire jugement de quitter mon emploi.
It was a voluntary judgment to leave my job.
This shows the speaker took full responsibility for the big move.
Nous devons exercer un volontaire jugement sur ce dossier.
We must exercise a voluntary judgment on this file.
This calls for a deliberate and careful assessment of the work.
C'est mon volontaire jugement, je ne changerai pas d'avis !
That is my deliberate judgment, I won't change my mind!
Using the phrase in a text adds a touch of dramatic finality.
Mon volontaire jugement ? Ce chat est le vrai chef ici.
My voluntary judgment? This cat is the real boss here.
Using a formal phrase for a silly observation creates humor.
L'homme se définit par son volontaire jugement.
Man is defined by his voluntary judgment.
A very classic, philosophical way to use the expression.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Dans sa plaidoirie, l'avocat a insisté sur le ________ de son client.
The context is legal and formal, requiring the specific collocation.
Which sentence uses the phrase in the correct register?
Select the appropriate context for 'le volontaire jugement':
Option B is a formal, serious context. A and C are too informal.
Match the French phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the key nuances between the related terms.
Fill in the missing line in this formal dialogue.
Professeur : 'Pourquoi l'auteur a-t-il choisi cette fin tragique ?' Étudiant : 'C'est pour montrer que le héros exerce son ________ jusqu'au bout.'
The student is using academic language to answer a literature question.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDans sa plaidoirie, l'avocat a insisté sur le ________ de son client.
The context is legal and formal, requiring the specific collocation.
Select the appropriate context for 'le volontaire jugement':
Option B is a formal, serious context. A and C are too informal.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the key nuances between the related terms.
Professeur : 'Pourquoi l'auteur a-t-il choisi cette fin tragique ?' Étudiant : 'C'est pour montrer que le héros exerce son ________ jusqu'au bout.'
The student is using academic language to answer a literature question.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNot exactly. 'Free will' is 'le libre arbitre'. 'Le volontaire jugement' is the specific act of using that free will to make a decision.
Yes, if it's a very serious or high-level meeting. Otherwise, 'une décision réfléchie' is better.
It's a stylistic choice called 'antéposition' that adds emphasis and formality.
Yes, but mostly in writing, law, and intellectual debates.
Related Phrases
le libre arbitre
builds onFree will
de son plein gré
similarOf one's own accord
une décision réfléchie
synonymA well-thought-out decision
agir en connaissance de cause
similarTo act with full knowledge of the facts
