When you're trying to describe something that isn't very clear or precise, you can use the French adverb vaguement. It's similar to saying 'vaguely' or 'indistinctly' in English.
For example, if someone asks you about a movie you saw a long time ago, you might say Je me souviens vaguement de l'intrigue (I vaguely remember the plot). Or, if you can just barely make something out in the distance, you could say J'ai vu une forme vaguement humaine (I saw a vaguely human shape).
It's a useful word for expressing uncertainty or a lack of detail. You'll often hear it when people are trying to recall something that isn't fresh in their minds, or when they're describing something that lacks sharp definition.
Grammar to Know
Adverbs like 'vaguement' are typically placed after the conjugated verb in simple tenses.
Il se souvient vaguement de son enfance. (He vaguely remembers his childhood.)
In compound tenses (like the passé composé), 'vaguement' usually goes between the auxiliary verb and the past participle.
J'ai vaguement entendu ce qu'il a dit. (I vaguely heard what he said.)
'Vaguement' can also modify an adjective or another adverb, placed directly before it.
C'est une idée vaguement intéressante. (It's a vaguely interesting idea.)
When used to express uncertainty about a statement, 'vaguement' might appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.
Vaguement, il a mentionné le problème. (Vaguely, he mentioned the problem.)
'Vaguement' can be used informally to express a lack of strong feeling or clear opinion about something.
Ça me dit vaguement quelque chose. (That vaguely rings a bell / sounds familiar to me.)
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Je me souviens vaguement de son nom.
I vaguely remember his name.
Elle a vaguement mentionné le problème.
She vaguely mentioned the problem.
Je connais vaguement cette personne.
I vaguely know that person.
Il a une idée vaguement définie de ce qu'il veut.
He has a vaguely defined idea of what he wants.
J'ai entendu vaguement parler de cette histoire.
I vaguely heard about that story.
Les contours étaient vaguement visibles dans le brouillard.
The outlines were vaguely visible in the fog.
Elle s'est sentie vaguement mal à l'aise.
She felt vaguely uncomfortable.
La solution semble vaguement complexe.
The solution seems vaguely complex.
Il a vaguement fait allusion à un changement.
He vaguely alluded to a change.
Je me rappelle vaguement cette mélodie.
I vaguely recall that melody.
Test Yourself 12 questions
Il a décrit l'événement si ___ que personne n'a vraiment compris ce qui s'était passé.
The context implies a lack of clarity, so 'vaguement' (vaguely) is the correct fit.
Quand on lui a demandé ses projets pour l'avenir, elle a répondu ___ qu'elle y réfléchissait.
Responding 'vaguement' (vaguely) suggests uncertainty about future plans.
Le souvenir de cette nuit est si lointain que je m'en souviens seulement ___.
If a memory is distant, one would remember it 'vaguement' (vaguely).
Il a essayé de me donner des indications, mais elles étaient si ___ que je me suis perdu.
If the directions led to getting lost, they must have been 'vagues' (vague).
J'ai aperçu la silhouette de l'homme ___ dans la brume matinale.
Seeing something 'vaguement' (vaguely) in the fog implies indistinctness.
Ses explications étaient si obscures que j'ai compris ___ ce qu'il voulait dire.
If explanations are obscure, one would understand 'vaguement' (vaguely).
The speaker has a vague impression.
He spoke indistinctly about his travel plans.
The silhouette was vaguely visible in the fog.
Read this aloud:
Peux-tu me décrire vaguement ce que tu as vu ?
Focus: vaguement
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Je me souviens vaguement de son nom.
Focus: souviens vaguement
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Il a répondu d'une manière assez vague à ma question.
Focus: vague à
You said:
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/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
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