In 15 Seconds
- A tough result following a specific action or decision.
- Used for both minor blunders and serious life events.
- Placing the adjective first adds emphasis and emotional weight.
Meaning
This phrase refers to a tough or unpleasant result that follows an action or decision. It is the 'price to pay' when something doesn't go quite right or a situation becomes complicated.
Key Examples
3 of 7Forgetting an umbrella
Être mouillé est une difficile conséquence de mon oubli.
Being wet is a difficult consequence of my forgetfulness.
Eating too much spicy food
J'ai mal au ventre, c'est une difficile conséquence du piment.
My stomach hurts; it's a difficult consequence of the chili.
Missing a project deadline
Le retard du projet est une difficile conséquence pour l'équipe.
The project delay is a difficult consequence for the team.
Cultural Background
The French education system (the Baccalauréat) heavily penalizes 'hors-sujet' (off-topic) work, which is seen as a 'difficile conséquence' of poor planning. In Quebec, 'conséquence' is used similarly, but in casual speech, you might hear 'contrecoup' more frequently for physical results. Belgian French often uses 'une suite' in administrative contexts where a Frenchman might use 'une conséquence'. In many African French-speaking countries, the phrase is used with high gravity in community discussions regarding social harmony.
The 'B.A.N.G.S.' Exception
Usually, adjectives like 'difficile' go after the noun. Putting it before ('une difficile conséquence') makes you sound like a poet or a high-level diplomat. Use it to impress!
Watch the Gender
Never say 'un conséquence'. It's a very common mistake for English speakers because 'consequence' feels neutral in English.
In 15 Seconds
- A tough result following a specific action or decision.
- Used for both minor blunders and serious life events.
- Placing the adjective first adds emphasis and emotional weight.
What It Means
This phrase describes a tough result of an action. It is the fallout from a specific choice. Think of it as the price you must pay. It is not just any result. It is a result that brings some trouble. It makes your daily life a bit harder.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase in many ways. It often follows the verb être or avoir. For example, you can say c'est une difficile conséquence. Notice the adjective difficile comes before the noun here. This is a stylistic choice in French. It makes the consequence feel more heavy. It sounds more serious than putting it after the noun. You can also use it as a subject. Cette difficile conséquence change tout is a good example.
When To Use It
Use it when things do not go as planned. Maybe you forgot your keys at home. Now you are locked out in the rain. That is une difficile conséquence of your forgetfulness. Use it in professional meetings to discuss risks. It sounds clear and very logical. It also works when talking about life choices. Moving to a new city has its challenges. Those challenges are the difficiles conséquences of moving.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for happy surprises. If you find money, that is not a conséquence. Avoid using it for physical objects too. A heavy suitcase is not a difficile conséquence. It is just a heavy suitcase. Also, do not use it for simple tasks. A hard math problem is just un problème difficile. Keep this phrase for the results of actions.
Cultural Background
French people value logic and clear thinking. They love to analyze why things happen. This is part of the famous esprit critique. People often discuss the conséquence of every move. It shows you are taking responsibility. It also shows you understand the situation. In France, admitting a mistake is often respected. Discussing the fallout is the first step to fixing it.
Common Variations
You might hear people say une conséquence lourde. This literally means a 'heavy consequence'. It sounds even more serious than difficile. You could also say un résultat fâcheux. This means an 'unfortunate result'. If the situation is very bad, use tragique. Une conséquence tragique is for very sad events. For small things, use un petit souci.
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral and versatile. While the adjective placement before the noun is slightly more formal, it is widely used in all contexts to emphasize the difficulty of a situation.
The 'B.A.N.G.S.' Exception
Usually, adjectives like 'difficile' go after the noun. Putting it before ('une difficile conséquence') makes you sound like a poet or a high-level diplomat. Use it to impress!
Watch the Gender
Never say 'un conséquence'. It's a very common mistake for English speakers because 'consequence' feels neutral in English.
Examples
7Être mouillé est une difficile conséquence de mon oubli.
Being wet is a difficult consequence of my forgetfulness.
A simple, everyday example of cause and effect.
J'ai mal au ventre, c'est une difficile conséquence du piment.
My stomach hurts; it's a difficult consequence of the chili.
Relatable and slightly humorous physical result.
Le retard du projet est une difficile conséquence pour l'équipe.
The project delay is a difficult consequence for the team.
Professional context showing impact on others.
Fatigué ce matin... une difficile conséquence de ma série !
Tired this morning... a difficult consequence of my series!
Shortened version used in informal texting.
Le bruit constant est une difficile conséquence de ce cadeau.
The constant noise is a difficult consequence of this gift.
A humorous take on a well-intentioned mistake.
Leur silence est une difficile conséquence de cette dispute.
Their silence is a difficult consequence of this argument.
Emotional context regarding relationships.
Nous devons réduire les effectifs, une difficile conséquence de la crise.
We must reduce staff, a difficult consequence of the crisis.
Formal and serious business context.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct article and adjective.
Perdre son emploi est ___ ___________ ___________.
'Conséquence' is feminine singular, so we use 'une' and 'difficile'.
Which sentence is the most formal?
Choose the best option:
The use of 'conséquence' and the adjective placement makes it formal.
Match the action to its 'difficile conséquence'.
Action: Vous oubliez votre parapluie sous la pluie.
Being wet and sick is a negative logical result of forgetting an umbrella.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesPerdre son emploi est ___ ___________ ___________.
'Conséquence' is feminine singular, so we use 'une' and 'difficile'.
Choose the best option:
The use of 'conséquence' and the adjective placement makes it formal.
Action: Vous oubliez votre parapluie sous la pluie.
Being wet and sick is a negative logical result of forgetting an umbrella.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsNo, 'une conséquence difficile' is more common in daily speech. The version with 'difficile' first is more formal and emphatic.
You can, but it might sound a bit dramatic. For small things, 'un petit problème' is better.
Related Phrases
en conséquence
builds onconsequently / accordingly
sans conséquence
contrastof no importance / harmless
tirer les conséquences
similarto deal with the results
