véritablement évident
véritablement obvious
Literally: {"v\u00e9ritablement":"truly","\u00e9vident":"obvious"}
In 15 Seconds
- Means "truly obvious" or "undeniably clear."
- Use when something is glaringly apparent.
- Adds strong emphasis to simple obviousness.
- Avoid for subtle or complex ideas.
Meaning
This phrase is like saying something is so incredibly clear, it's practically shouting at you. It's not just obvious; it's *undeniably* obvious, leaving no room for debate or confusion. Think of that 'aha!' moment when something clicks, but amplified because it was always right there.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a movie plot twist
Je t'avais dit que le personnage était le méchant, c'était `véritablement évident`!
I told you that character was the villain, it was truly obvious!
At a job interview, discussing a past success
Notre stratégie marketing était `véritablement évidente` pour augmenter les ventes.
Our marketing strategy was truly obvious for increasing sales.
Instagram caption about a simple solution
Sometimes the solution is just `véritablement évident` when you step back. ✨ #lifehacks
Sometimes the solution is just truly obvious when you step back. ✨ #lifehacks
Cultural Background
The French value 'la clarté' above almost all else in communication. Using 'véritablement évident' aligns you with the Cartesian tradition of clear and distinct ideas. In Quebec, while 'véritablement évident' is used, you might also hear 'c'est clair' influenced by English 'it's clear'. However, in formal Radio-Canada broadcasts, 'véritablement évident' remains the gold standard. In Francophone West Africa, formal French is often very structured and 'soutenu'. 'Véritablement évident' is frequently used in administrative and educational contexts to show mastery of the language. Belgian French uses this phrase similarly to France, but often with a slightly more modest tone. It's used to state facts without appearing too aggressive in a debate.
Use it in the DELF B2 exam
Using this phrase in your 'production écrite' (writing) will instantly signal to the examiner that you have a high-level command of French logical connectors.
Don't overdo it
If you say everything is 'véritablement évident', you might sound like you're trying too hard to be right. Use it once or twice per discussion for maximum impact.
In 15 Seconds
- Means "truly obvious" or "undeniably clear."
- Use when something is glaringly apparent.
- Adds strong emphasis to simple obviousness.
- Avoid for subtle or complex ideas.
What It Means
This phrase means something is "truly obvious." It's more than just plain obvious; it's *emphatically* obvious. It suggests that the truth or the answer is so clear, it's almost impossible to miss. You might use it when someone is struggling to see something that seems crystal clear to you. It carries a tone of "duh!" but in a more polite, French way. It's like pointing out the nose on someone's face – it's right there, staring you in the eyes.
How To Use It
Use véritablement évident when you want to emphasize the extreme clarity of a situation, fact, or solution. It works best when the obviousness is almost startling. Think of it as adding an extra layer of "wow, this is SO clear" to the word évident. It's perfect for those moments when you feel like you're stating the incredibly, undeniably apparent. It’s a way to say, "Seriously, how could anyone *not* see this?"
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you're watching a detective show. The killer's motive is revealed, and it's so simple. A character might say, "Mais c'était véritablement évident dès le début!" (But it was truly obvious from the start!). Or, if you're helping a friend with a coding problem and the bug is a simple typo, you might gently point out, "Le problème est véritablement évident une fois que tu le vois." (The problem is truly obvious once you see it).
When To Use It
Use véritablement évident when you want to stress how glaringly apparent something is. It's great for situations where the answer seems to be hiding in plain sight. If a solution is simple and staring you in the face, this phrase nails it. It’s also useful when you're slightly exasperated that others haven't grasped something so clear. It adds a touch of dramatic flair to stating the obvious.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid véritablement évident for subtle points or complex arguments. If something requires deep thought or explanation, it's probably not véritablement évident. Don't use it if you want to sound purely neutral or objective; the véritablement adds emphasis. Also, steer clear if you're talking to someone who is genuinely struggling and sensitive; it might sound condescending. It’s not for situations where you're presenting a groundbreaking, non-obvious discovery.
Common Mistakes
Learners often over-use évident alone, missing the punch of véritablement. Or, they might try to pair évident with other adverbs that don't quite fit. For instance, saying très évident (very obvious) is fine, but it lacks the emphatic punch. Using complètement évident (completely obvious) is closer, but véritablement adds a unique French flair.
très évident
✓véritablement évident
absolument évident
✓véritablement évident
Similar Expressions
C'est clair comme de l'eau de roche: This means "It's as clear as rock water." It emphasizes absolute clarity, similar tovéritablement évident.C'est flagrant: This means "It's blatant" or "It's obvious." It often implies something is obvious in a negative or scandalous way.C'est limpide: This means "It's crystal clear." It's a very direct and clean way to say something is easily understood.
Common Variations
While véritablement évident is a strong collocation, you might hear slight variations. Sometimes, c'est vraiment évident is used, which is very close in meaning and tone. Vraiment is a common synonym for véritablement. You could also hear c'est d'une évidence aveuglante (it's blindingly obvious), which is even more intense.
Memory Trick
Imagine a detective, Inspecteur Évident, wearing a trench coat. He's holding a magnifying glass, and inside the glass, you see a véritable (real) sign flashing "OBVIOUS!". He's not just pointing out clues; he's pointing out the *truly* obvious ones. The véritablement is his catchphrase for things that are undeniable.
Quick FAQ
- Is
véritablement évidentformal or informal? It leans towards neutral but can be used in slightly more formal contexts than justévidentbecausevéritablementadds a bit of gravitas. - Can I use
très évidentinstead? Yes,très évidentmeans "very obvious," butvéritablement évidentcarries a stronger, more emphatic sense of "truly" or "undeniably" obvious. - What if something is *really* obvious? That's precisely when
véritablement évidentshines! It's for those "how could I miss that?" moments.
Usage Notes
This phrase sits comfortably in the neutral register but can lean slightly formal due to the precise adverb `véritablement`. It's best used when you want to strongly emphasize that something is undeniably clear, almost to the point of being self-evident. Avoid using it if it might sound condescending to someone who genuinely doesn't see the point.
Use it in the DELF B2 exam
Using this phrase in your 'production écrite' (writing) will instantly signal to the examiner that you have a high-level command of French logical connectors.
Don't overdo it
If you say everything is 'véritablement évident', you might sound like you're trying too hard to be right. Use it once or twice per discussion for maximum impact.
The 'Cartesian' vibe
When you use this, you are tapping into a 400-year-old French tradition of logical clarity. It's more than just a phrase; it's a mindset.
Examples
12Je t'avais dit que le personnage était le méchant, c'était `véritablement évident`!
I told you that character was the villain, it was truly obvious!
Here, `véritablement évident` emphasizes the speaker's prior certainty and the obviousness of the plot twist.
Notre stratégie marketing était `véritablement évidente` pour augmenter les ventes.
Our marketing strategy was truly obvious for increasing sales.
In a professional context, it highlights a clear and effective strategy that should have been apparent.
Sometimes the solution is just `véritablement évident` when you step back. ✨ #lifehacks
Sometimes the solution is just truly obvious when you step back. ✨ #lifehacks
Used here for a relatable, shareable observation about problem-solving on social media.
L'impact de cette décision sur l'économie était `véritablement évident` à l'époque.
The impact of that decision on the economy was truly obvious at the time.
Emphasizes the undeniable and clear consequence of a historical event.
Oops, j'ai oublié de brancher le câble. C'était `véritablement évident`!
Oops, I forgot to plug in the cable. It was truly obvious!
A lighthearted admission of a silly, easily overlooked error.
Après tout ce qu'il a fait, sa culpabilité est `véritablement évidente`.
After all he's done, his guilt is truly obvious.
Expresses strong conviction about someone's undeniable guilt.
✗ Le problème était `très évident` pour tout le monde. → ✓ Le problème était `véritablement évident` pour tout le monde.
✗ The problem was very obvious to everyone. → ✓ The problem was truly obvious to everyone.
Shows how `très` is weaker than `véritablement` for emphasizing undeniable clarity.
✗ Sa motivation était `clairement évidente`. → ✓ Sa motivation était `véritablement évidente`.
✗ His motivation was clearly obvious. → ✓ His motivation was truly obvious.
Highlights that `clairement` can sometimes feel redundant or less impactful than `véritablement` in this specific collocation.
Le restaurant a mis une photo du plat, donc le choix était `véritablement évident`.
The restaurant put a picture of the dish, so the choice was truly obvious.
A simple, everyday example of making a clear choice based on visual information.
Quand le détective a trouvé l'indice, c'était `véritablement évident` qui était le coupable.
When the detective found the clue, it was truly obvious who the culprit was.
Reflects a common trope in mystery shows where the solution becomes glaringly apparent.
L'avantage de cette technologie est `véritablement évident` pour l'avenir.
The advantage of this technology is truly obvious for the future.
Used in a formal setting to strongly assert a clear benefit.
Votre conclusion était `véritablement évidente` et renforce bien votre argument.
Your conclusion was truly obvious and strongly reinforces your argument.
Used professionally to praise a clear and impactful conclusion.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'évident'.
Cette solution est véritablement ________.
The subject 'solution' is feminine singular, so the adjective must be 'évidente'.
Which sentence is the most formal and correct?
Select the best option:
'Il est... que' is the formal construction, and 'véritablement' is the correct adverb.
Match the register with the correct sentence.
Registers and sentences:
Each phrase matches its register correctly.
Fill in the candidate's response.
Recruteur: 'Pensez-vous que ce projet va réussir ?' Candidat: 'Oui, au vu des résultats, il est ________ que nous allons réussir.'
The candidate uses a formal collocation to show confidence.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesCette solution est véritablement ________.
The subject 'solution' is feminine singular, so the adjective must be 'évidente'.
Select the best option:
'Il est... que' is the formal construction, and 'véritablement' is the correct adverb.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each phrase matches its register correctly.
Recruteur: 'Pensez-vous que ce projet va réussir ?' Candidat: 'Oui, au vu des résultats, il est ________ que nous allons réussir.'
The candidate uses a formal collocation to show confidence.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, 'vraiment évident' is very common and slightly less formal. 'Véritablement' adds a touch of elegance and weight.
Mostly, yes. But in some contexts, it can mean 'easy'. However, 'véritablement évident' almost always refers to clarity of truth.
Yes: 'véritablement évidente'. The adverb stays the same, but the adjective changes.
It can be if you use it to dismiss their opinion. It's better used for objective facts than for telling someone they are wrong.
Related Phrases
Il va de soi
synonymIt goes without saying.
Manifestement
similarManifestly / Clearly.
C'est clair et net
similarIt's crystal clear.
Sauter aux yeux
figurativeTo be glaringly obvious.
