At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word 'impertinent' because it is quite advanced. However, it is good to know that it comes from 'pertinent' (relevant). At this stage, if you want to say something is not related to the topic, you would simply say 'Ce n'est pas important' (It's not important) or 'C'est différent' (It's different). You might hear people use 'impertinent' to mean 'rude' in very simple stories, but the 'irrelevant' meaning is too formal for basic daily needs. Focus first on the word 'pertinent' which means 'useful' or 'relevant'. If you see 'impertinent', just think of it as 'not belonging' to the conversation. In French, adjectives change based on who you are talking about. So, 'un livre impertinent' (masculine) and 'une question impertinente' (feminine). At A1, just remember: it's a big word for 'off-topic'.
At the A2 level, you are starting to describe things in more detail. You might use 'impertinent' in a classroom setting if you are reading a text. You should know that 'impertinent' means 'not connected to the subject'. For example, if you are talking about your cat and your friend starts talking about their car, that is 'impertinent'. However, a better word for you at this level is 'hors sujet' (off-topic). You should also be careful because 'impertinent' often means 'insolent' (rude) in French. If a teacher tells a student 'Tu es impertinent !', they mean the student is being rude. But if a judge says 'Cette preuve est impertinente', they mean it doesn't help the case. Try to notice the difference in simple sentences. Remember to add an 'e' for feminine things: 'Cette remarque est impertinente'.
At the B1 level, you should be able to understand 'impertinent' when you read it in a newspaper or a formal letter. You are moving beyond basic vocabulary and looking for more precise words. In a debate, you might say 'Votre argument est impertinent' to mean that it doesn't address the core of the problem. This sounds much more sophisticated than saying 'Ce n'est pas le sujet'. You should also be aware of the noun form: 'l'impertinence'. In a formal context, this refers to the state of being irrelevant. You can use it to critique a logic or a structure. 'L'impertinence de ses propos a surpris l'assemblée' (The irrelevance of his words surprised the assembly). Make sure you don't confuse it with 'imprudent' (unwise) or 'impatient'. It is specifically about the logical link between two things. Start using it in your writing to show you have a good range of vocabulary.
As a B2 learner, you are expected to handle nuances. 'Impertinent' is a classic example of a word with a 'split personality' in French. You should use the 'irrelevant' meaning primarily in formal writing, legal contexts, or academic discussions. It is a very powerful word for deconstructing an argument. When you use it, you are saying that a piece of information lacks 'pertinence'—it doesn't belong in the logical framework. You should also be comfortable with the feminine and plural forms and the nasal pronunciation of the masculine version. In your essays, use 'impertinent' to describe data that doesn't support a thesis. For example: 'Ces données sont impertinentes car elles datent d'une époque révolue' (These data are irrelevant because they date from a bygone era). This shows you understand the technical side of the language. Also, be ready to explain the difference between 'impertinent' (irrelevant) and 'impertinent' (rude) if someone asks you.
At the C1 level, you should have a deep appreciation for the etymological history of 'impertinent'. You understand that its primary modern meaning (insolence) is actually a metaphorical extension of its original meaning (irrelevance). A person who is 'impertinent' is someone who doesn't know their 'place' or whose behavior is 'out of place' in a social hierarchy. In your professional French, you can use 'impertinent' with surgical precision. It is excellent for legal briefs, philosophical critiques, or high-level business reports. You might use it in the phrase 'impertinent au fond', meaning irrelevant to the core of the matter. You should also be familiar with synonyms like 'contingent' or 'superfétatoire' (superfluous) to avoid repetition. Your goal is to use 'impertinent' to highlight a logical fallacy or a structural weakness in a discourse without sounding like you are attacking someone's character personally.
At the C2 level, you use 'impertinent' with the ease of a native speaker who has a literary background. You are aware of its usage in 17th-century literature (like Pascal or Molière), where the word often oscillated between 'nonsense' and 'irrelevance'. You can use it in highly abstract ways. For example, you might discuss the 'impertinence' of a certain artistic style in a modern context, suggesting it doesn't 'fit' the current zeitgeist. You understand the subtle shift in tone when the word is used in the 'irrelevant' sense versus the 'insolent' sense. Your mastery allows you to use it in complex grammatical structures, such as 'Il serait tout à fait impertinent de ma part de suggérer que...', where you use the 'inappropriate/out of place' nuance. You can distinguish between 'impertinence' as a logical error and 'impertinence' as a social transgression, and you can navigate both meanings in a single conversation without any confusion.

impertinent em 30 segundos

  • Impertinent means irrelevant or off-topic in formal contexts.
  • It is the direct antonym of 'pertinent' (relevant).
  • In everyday French, it often means 'rude' or 'cheeky'.
  • It requires gender and number agreement as an adjective.

The French word impertinent is a fascinating linguistic artifact because its primary meaning in a technical or formal context differs significantly from its common usage in everyday conversation. While most modern French speakers use impertinent to describe someone who is being cheeky, rude, or insolent, the specific definition we are exploring here is the formal, often legal or academic one: irrelevant or not pertinent. This meaning stems directly from its Latin roots, where the prefix in- (not) is attached to pertinere (to reach or pertain to). In this sense, an impertinent remark is not necessarily a rude one, but rather one that simply does not belong in the current discussion. It is a word that describes a logical disconnect rather than a behavioral flaw.

Formal Context
In legal proceedings or high-level academic debates, impertinent describes evidence or arguments that have no bearing on the case at hand. If a lawyer introduces a fact that does not help prove or disprove the specific legal point, the judge might strike it as impertinent.
Logical Disjunction
It refers to anything that is 'hors de propos' (beside the point). Imagine a scientist discussing climate change who suddenly begins talking about their favorite recipe for soufflé; that recipe is impertinent to the scientific discourse.

Cette preuve a été jugée impertinente pour le procès en cours.

Translation: This evidence was judged irrelevant for the current trial.

To master this word at a B2 level, you must recognize that while 'pertinent' is widely used to mean 'relevant,' its antonym 'impertinent' has largely been hijacked by the meaning of 'insolent.' However, in writing—especially formal essays or legal texts—the 'irrelevant' meaning remains crucial. It suggests a lack of connection, a straying from the path of logic. It is the opposite of being 'à propos'. When you encounter this word in a classic text or a legal document, you should first ask yourself: 'Is the author talking about someone's attitude, or is the author talking about the relevance of the information?' If it is the latter, you are dealing with the technical definition of impertinence.

L'avocat a soulevé une objection car la question était impertinente.

Historical Usage
In the 17th century, the word was used almost exclusively to mean 'not belonging to the subject.' Over time, the idea of 'not belonging' evolved into 'not knowing one's place,' which is how the meaning of 'rude' or 'insolent' developed.

Using impertinent to mean 'irrelevant' requires a careful setup to ensure the listener understands you aren't commenting on someone's manners. In French, adjectives usually follow the noun, and impertinent is no exception. Because it is an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For a masculine singular noun like un argument, it remains impertinent. For a feminine singular noun like une remarque, it becomes impertinente. For plurals, you add an s: des détails impertinents or des questions impertinentes.

Subject-Verb Agreement
When using the verb être (to be), ensure the adjective reflects the subject. 'Vos observations sont impertinentes' (Your observations are irrelevant).

Il est inutile de mentionner ces faits, car ils sont totalement impertinents vis-à-vis de notre problème.

In formal writing, you might use it to critique a piece of literature or a scientific paper. For instance, if a study on oceanography includes a long section on the history of the bicycle, a reviewer might describe that section as impertinent. It implies that the content, while perhaps interesting in its own right, does not contribute to the thesis or the objective of the work. This usage is highly precise and carries a weight of intellectual rigor. It tells the reader that there is a structural or logical failure in the presentation of information.

Votre digression sur la météo était impertinente lors de la réunion budgétaire.

Negation
To say something is NOT irrelevant, use 'n'est pas impertinent'. 'Votre remarque n'est pas impertinente' (Your remark is not irrelevant/is actually quite relevant).

When constructing complex sentences, you can place 'impertinent' at the beginning of a clause for emphasis, though this is quite literary. 'Impertinent au débat, cet argument fut vite écarté' (Irrelevant to the debate, this argument was quickly discarded). This shows a mastery of French syntax. Remember that the goal is to communicate that something 'does not fit' the puzzle of the current topic. Whether you are writing a legal brief, a university essay, or a formal critique, using 'impertinent' in this way signals a sophisticated vocabulary and an understanding of French's etymological roots.

While the 'rude' meaning of impertinent is common in schools, family arguments, and movies, the 'irrelevant' meaning is more specialized. You will encounter it in specific professional and intellectual circles. If you attend a French law school or sit in on a trial at a Palais de Justice, you will hear judges and lawyers using the term to discuss the admissibility of evidence. In this environment, 'une pièce impertinente' is a document that doesn't prove anything related to the specific charges. It is a technical term of art that professionals use to maintain the focus of the proceedings.

« Monsieur l'avocat, vos conclusions sont impertinentes au litige actuel. »

Another place where this word shines is in the world of literary criticism and philosophy. French intellectuals often pride themselves on the precision of their language. In a critique of a philosophical treatise, a reviewer might state that the author's references to 18th-century botany are impertinentes to their argument about existentialism. Here, it isn't an insult to the author's character, but a sharp critique of their logic. You might also hear it in high-level political debates on news channels like France 24 or ARTE, where a moderator might steer a politician back on track by noting that their response is impertinent to the question asked.

Le rapport contient plusieurs annexes impertinentes qui alourdissent la lecture.

Finally, you might find this word in historical dramas or period pieces. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the distinction between 'irrelevant' and 'insolent' was still evolving. A character in a Molière play might use impertinent to describe a thought that doesn't belong in a gentleman's head. Understanding this duality allows you to appreciate the richness of the French language across different eras. Even if you don't use it every day in a café, knowing its formal meaning will help you navigate complex texts and professional environments where precision is paramount.

The most common mistake for English speakers learning French is assuming that impertinent always means 'rude' or 'cheeky.' While this is the most frequent use in modern spoken French, the prompt's focus on 'irrelevant' highlights a critical trap. If you are in a formal setting and someone says your argument is impertinent, they might not be calling you names—they might just be saying you are off-topic. Conversely, if you want to call someone 'irrelevant' in a casual setting, using impertinent might lead them to think you are complaining about their attitude.

Mistake #1: The 'False Friend' Trap
In English, 'impertinent' almost always means 'rude.' In French, it has a dual life. Don't assume the English meaning is the only one. Always look at the object being described: is it a person (likely 'rude') or an idea/document (likely 'irrelevant')?

Incorrect: « Arrête d'être impertinent ! » (Stop being irrelevant!)
Correct: This actually means 'Stop being rude!' To say 'Stop being irrelevant,' use « Arrête d'être hors sujet ! »

Another mistake is failing to match the gender and number. Because the word ends in -t, the feminine form adds an -e, which changes the pronunciation. The masculine impertinent ends with a nasal sound, while the feminine impertinente ends with a clear 't' sound. Forgetting this can make your speech sound clumsy at a B2 level. Furthermore, learners often confuse impertinent with insignifiant (insignificant). Something can be very significant but still impertinent (irrelevant) to the specific topic at hand.

Mistake #2: Overusing it
Because 'impertinent' (irrelevant) is so formal, using it in a casual conversation about why someone is talking about their cat during a movie might sound overly dramatic or 'snobbish.' Use 'ça n'a rien à voir' (that has nothing to do with it) instead.

Lastly, avoid using it as a direct translation for 'inappropriate' in a moral sense. If a joke is inappropriate, it's déplacé or inapproprié. If it's impertinent, it's simply not related to what was being said. Precision in these nuances is what separates a B2 learner from a C1/C2 speaker. Be mindful of the 'rude' vs 'irrelevant' divide, and you will navigate French social and professional circles with much greater ease.

When you want to convey the idea of 'irrelevance' in French, impertinent is just one tool in your kit. Depending on the level of formality and the specific context, other words might be more appropriate. The most common alternative is non pertinent. This is the direct opposite of pertinent and is widely used in business, science, and daily life because it avoids the 'rude' connotation entirely. If you want to be safe and clear, non pertinent is your best friend.

Hors de propos
Literally 'outside of the subject.' This is a very common idiomatic expression used to describe a comment that doesn't fit the conversation. It is slightly less formal than 'impertinent' but still very polished.
Inopportun
This means 'ill-timed' or 'uncalled for.' While 'impertinent' focuses on the logical connection, 'inopportun' focuses on the timing. A question might be relevant but inopportun if asked during a funeral.

Votre exemple est hors sujet ; nous parlons d'économie, pas de sport.

In more casual settings, you will hear hors sujet (often abbreviated as 'HS' in text speak). This is the standard way to tell a friend they are off-topic. Another alternative is superflu (superfluous), which suggests that the information is not only irrelevant but also unnecessary and burdensome. If someone is giving too much detail that doesn't help the decision-making process, their input is superflu. Understanding these synonyms allows you to choose the exact 'shade' of irrelevance you want to express.

Incongru
This suggests something is out of place or bizarre. It's often used for things that don't match the environment or the tone of a situation.

Finally, there is étranger (foreign/unrelated). In a legal context, one might say a fact is 'étranger à la cause,' meaning it has no connection to the case. By building this web of related terms, you can avoid repeating yourself and ensure your French sounds natural and precise. Whether you choose the formal 'impertinent' or the common 'hors sujet,' you are now equipped to keep your French conversations focused and relevant.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The meaning of 'rude' only appeared in the 17th century because people who brought up 'irrelevant' things were seen as lacking social grace.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ɛ̃.pɛʁ.ti.nɑ̃/
US /æm.pɛr.ti.nɑ̃/
Final syllable (nɑ̃)
Rima com
maintenant continent sentiment gouvernement vraiment seulement étonnant appartenant
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing the final 't' in the masculine form.
  • Not making the first vowel nasal enough (sounding like 'eem' instead of 'en').
  • Confusing the pronunciation with the English 'impertinent'.
  • Failing to pronounce the 't' in the feminine form 'impertinente'.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'r' sound.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 7/5

Requires context to distinguish between the two meanings.

Escrita 8/5

Agreement and formal usage make it challenging.

Expressão oral 7/5

Nasal vowels and silent 't' are tricky.

Audição 7/5

Easy to confuse with English 'impertinent'.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

pertinent sujet rapport hors propos

Aprenda a seguir

contingent superfétatoire incongru adéquat opportun

Avançado

la pertinence l'insolence le litige la digression l'analogie

Gramática essencial

Adjective Agreement

Une preuve impertinente (f), un fait impertinent (m).

Nasal Vowels

The 'im' in impertinent is nasal /ɛ̃/.

Silent Final Consonants

The 't' is silent in masculine 'impertinent'.

Position of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'un argument impertinent'.

Prepositions with Adjectives

Often used with 'à' or 'pour': 'impertinent au sujet'.

Exemplos por nível

1

Cette question est impertinente.

This question is irrelevant.

Feminine singular agreement (question + e).

2

Ce n'est pas impertinent.

It is not irrelevant.

Negative structure with 'ne...pas'.

3

Un détail impertinent.

An irrelevant detail.

Masculine singular adjective.

4

Elle est impertinente.

She is irrelevant (or rude).

Subject pronoun 'Elle' + feminine adjective.

5

C'est un mot impertinent.

It is an irrelevant word.

Using 'C'est' for identification.

6

Les faits sont impertinents.

The facts are irrelevant.

Masculine plural agreement (+s).

7

Pourquoi est-ce impertinent ?

Why is it irrelevant?

Question structure.

8

Ce n'est pas pertinent, c'est impertinent.

It's not relevant, it's irrelevant.

Contrast between antonyms.

1

Son exemple était impertinent pour la leçon.

His example was irrelevant to the lesson.

Imperfect tense of 'être'.

2

Nous avons supprimé les phrases impertinentes.

We deleted the irrelevant sentences.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

3

Il parle de choses impertinentes.

He is talking about irrelevant things.

Feminine plural (choses + s).

4

Cette remarque semble impertinente ici.

This remark seems irrelevant here.

Verb 'sembler' followed by adjective.

5

L'information est impertinente au sujet.

The information is irrelevant to the subject.

Preposition 'au' (to the).

6

Ne donnez pas d'explications impertinentes.

Don't give irrelevant explanations.

Imperative negative.

7

Est-ce que cet argument est impertinent ?

Is this argument irrelevant?

Question with 'Est-ce que'.

8

Le texte contient des passages impertinents.

The text contains irrelevant passages.

Verb 'contenir'.

1

L'avocat a rejeté le témoignage car il était impertinent.

The lawyer rejected the testimony because it was irrelevant.

Conjunction 'car' (because).

2

Il est crucial d'ignorer les données impertinentes.

It is crucial to ignore irrelevant data.

Infinitive construction 'Il est + adj + de'.

3

Votre analyse est intéressante mais impertinente au cas.

Your analysis is interesting but irrelevant to the case.

Contrast with 'mais' (but).

4

Elle a évité de poser des questions impertinentes.

She avoided asking irrelevant questions.

Verb 'éviter de'.

5

Certains détails sont impertinents pour la conclusion.

Some details are irrelevant for the conclusion.

Indefinite adjective 'certains'.

6

Le débat s'est perdu dans des sujets impertinents.

The debate got lost in irrelevant subjects.

Pronominal verb 'se perdre'.

7

Je trouve cette observation tout à fait impertinente.

I find this observation completely irrelevant.

Adverbial phrase 'tout à fait'.

8

Il faut séparer le pertinent de l'impertinent.

One must separate the relevant from the irrelevant.

Using adjectives as nouns with 'le'.

1

La digression du conférencier était totalement impertinente.

The speaker's digression was totally irrelevant.

Noun 'digression' is feminine.

2

Ces preuves ont été écartées car jugées impertinentes.

This evidence was discarded because it was judged irrelevant.

Passive voice with 'être'.

3

L'article souffre de nombreuses références impertinentes.

The article suffers from numerous irrelevant references.

Verb 'souffrir de' (to suffer from).

4

Il a souligné l'impertinence de cette remarque lors du conseil.

He highlighted the irrelevance of this remark during the council.

Noun form 'impertinence'.

5

Bien que brillante, sa réponse reste impertinente à la question.

Although brilliant, his answer remains irrelevant to the question.

Conjunction 'Bien que' + subjunctive (though not explicitly shown here, it's a B2 structure).

6

Nous ne pouvons pas nous permettre d'inclure des faits impertinents.

We cannot afford to include irrelevant facts.

Modal verb 'pouvoir' + 'se permettre'.

7

L'étude omet les variables impertinentes pour plus de clarté.

The study omits irrelevant variables for more clarity.

Verb 'omettre'.

8

Cette objection est impertinente au regard de la loi.

This objection is irrelevant in the eyes of the law.

Fixed expression 'au regard de'.

1

Le caractère impertinent de cette pièce jointe invalide le dossier.

The irrelevant nature of this attachment invalidates the file.

Abstract noun phrase.

2

L'auteur s'égare dans des considérations impertinentes.

The author wanders into irrelevant considerations.

Literary verb 's'égarer'.

3

On a critiqué l'impertinence flagrante de son argumentation.

The blatant irrelevance of his reasoning was criticized.

Adjective 'flagrante' (blatant).

4

Il importe d'élaguer tout ce qui est impertinent au propos.

It is important to prune everything that is irrelevant to the subject.

Impersonal verb 'Il importe de'.

5

La cour a déclaré les témoignages impertinents et inadmissibles.

The court declared the testimonies irrelevant and inadmissible.

Legal terminology.

6

Sa thèse est affaiblie par des analogies impertinentes.

His thesis is weakened by irrelevant analogies.

Passive construction.

7

L'impertinence de cette intervention a rompu le fil de la discussion.

The irrelevance of this intervention broke the thread of the discussion.

Metaphorical usage.

8

Il convient de rejeter toute donnée impertinente à l'analyse.

It is appropriate to reject any data irrelevant to the analysis.

Formal 'Il convient de'.

1

L'impertinence sémantique de ce terme dans ce contexte est frappante.

The semantic irrelevance of this term in this context is striking.

Highly technical linguistic terms.

2

On ne saurait trop insister sur l'impertinence de tels amalgames.

One cannot overstate the irrelevance of such conflations.

Complex negation 'On ne saurait'.

3

La structure même du récit rend toute critique impertinente.

The very structure of the narrative renders any criticism irrelevant.

Use of 'même' for emphasis.

4

Il s'agit d'une digression dont l'impertinence confine à l'absurde.

It is a digression whose irrelevance borders on the absurd.

Relative pronoun 'dont'.

5

L'impertinence de l'objet par rapport à sa fonction interroge.

The irrelevance of the object in relation to its function raises questions.

Abstract philosophical subject.

6

Toute velléité de justification impertinente fut étouffée dans l'œuf.

Any hint of irrelevant justification was nipped in the bud.

Idiomatic expression 'étouffer dans l'œuf'.

7

L'impertinence de la métaphore occulte le sens profond du texte.

The irrelevance of the metaphor obscures the deep meaning of the text.

Literary verb 'occulter'.

8

L'érudition de l'auteur, bien qu'immense, s'avère ici impertinente.

The author's erudition, though immense, proves irrelevant here.

Concessive clause 'bien qu'immense'.

Colocações comuns

une question impertinente
un argument impertinent
des détails impertinents
une remarque impertinente
totalement impertinent
juger impertinent
preuve impertinente
conclusion impertinente
intervention impertinente
considération impertinente

Frases Comuns

C'est impertinent.

— That is irrelevant (or rude).

Dans ce contexte, c'est impertinent.

Réponse impertinente.

— An irrelevant (or rude) answer.

Il a donné une réponse impertinente.

Argument impertinent.

— An argument that doesn't hold water or isn't related.

C'est un argument impertinent au fond.

Remarque impertinente.

— A comment that is off-topic.

Veuillez ignorer cette remarque impertinente.

Question impertinente.

— A question that shouldn't have been asked.

C'est une question impertinente pour le moment.

Détails impertinents.

— Facts that don't matter for the current issue.

Ne nous perdons pas dans des détails impertinents.

Preuve impertinente.

— Evidence that doesn't prove anything relevant.

La preuve a été déclarée impertinente.

Tout à fait impertinent.

— Completely irrelevant.

Votre intervention est tout à fait impertinente.

Jugé impertinent.

— Judged to be irrelevant.

Le témoignage a été jugé impertinent.

Être impertinent.

— To be irrelevant (or rude).

Il ne faut pas être impertinent pendant l'examen.

Frequentemente confundido com

impertinent vs imprudent

Imprudent means unwise or careless, not irrelevant.

impertinent vs impatient

Impatient refers to a lack of patience, totally unrelated.

impertinent vs inapproprié

Inapproprié usually means morally wrong or socially unfit, whereas impertinent means logically unrelated.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Tomber comme un cheveu sur la soupe"

— To arrive at a completely irrelevant or awkward moment.

Sa question est tombée comme un cheveu sur la soupe.

informal
"N'avoir rien à voir avec la choucroute"

— To have absolutely nothing to do with the subject.

Ce que tu dis n'a rien à voir avec la choucroute !

slang
"Passer du coq à l'âne"

— To jump from one irrelevant subject to another.

Il passe sans cesse du coq à l'âne.

neutral
"Être à côté de la plaque"

— To be completely wrong or off-topic.

Ton argument est à côté de la plaque.

informal
"Vendre la peau de l'ours"

— Not directly related to 'irrelevant', but used when someone talks about results prematurely (irrelevant to current state).

C'est impertinent d'en parler, ne vendons pas la peau de l'ours.

neutral
"Chercher midi à quatorze heures"

— To make things more complicated or irrelevant than they are.

N'allez pas chercher midi à quatorze heures avec des détails impertinents.

neutral
"Noyer le poisson"

— To confuse the issue with irrelevant information.

Il essaie de noyer le poisson avec des faits impertinents.

neutral
"C'est un autre dossier"

— That's a different (and therefore currently irrelevant) matter.

C'est un autre dossier, restons sur le sujet.

neutral
"Hors cadre"

— Outside the framework (irrelevant to the scope).

Cette question est hors cadre.

formal
"Battre la campagne"

— To talk nonsense or be irrelevant due to confusion.

Il bat la campagne avec des remarques impertinentes.

literary

Fácil de confundir

impertinent vs Insolent

Because 'impertinent' often means 'insolent' in French.

Insolent is always about attitude. Impertinent can be about logic or attitude.

Un enfant insolent vs un argument impertinent.

impertinent vs Hors sujet

They both mean irrelevant.

Hors sujet is more common and less formal. Impertinent is more sophisticated.

Ton devoir est hors sujet.

impertinent vs Pertinent

It's the antonym.

Pertinent means relevant. Impertinent means not relevant.

Une remarque pertinente.

impertinent vs Incongru

Both imply something doesn't fit.

Incongru suggests something is strange or out of place socially. Impertinent focuses on logical disconnect.

Un chapeau incongru.

impertinent vs Inopportun

Both mean 'not right for the moment'.

Inopportun is about timing. Impertinent is about the content itself.

Une visite inopportune.

Padrões de frases

A1

C'est [adjectif].

C'est impertinent.

A2

La question est [adjectif].

La question est impertinente.

B1

Je trouve que c'est [adjectif].

Je trouve que c'est impertinent.

B2

Cet argument est impertinent par rapport à [nom].

Cet argument est impertinent par rapport à la loi.

C1

L'impertinence de [nom] est [adjectif].

L'impertinence de ce fait est évidente.

C2

On ne saurait nier le caractère impertinent de...

On ne saurait nier le caractère impertinent de cette digression.

B2

Bien que [adjectif], cela reste impertinent.

Bien qu'intéressant, cela reste impertinent.

C1

Il convient d'écarter tout élément impertinent.

Il convient d'écarter tout élément impertinent au dossier.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

l'impertinence (irrelevance/insolence)

Verbos

(none directly, use 'être impertinent')

Adjetivos

pertinent (relevant)
impertinent (irrelevant/rude)

Relacionado

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Como usar

frequency

Medium (low in daily speech for 'irrelevant', high for 'rude')

Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing the 't' in 'un argument impertinent'. The 't' should be silent.

    In French masculine adjectives ending in 't', the 't' is usually silent.

  • Using 'impertinent' to mean 'rude' in a legal brief. Ensure you use it to mean 'irrelevant' in that context.

    In law, the technical meaning is 'irrelevant'.

  • Forgetting the 'e' in 'une question impertinente'. Always add the 'e' for feminine nouns.

    Adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun.

  • Thinking 'impertinent' means 'not important'. It means 'not related'.

    Something can be important but still impertinent to a specific topic.

  • Using 'impertinent' casually to mean 'off-topic'. Use 'hors sujet' instead.

    Impertinent (irrelevant) is very formal and can be misunderstood.

Dicas

Check the Noun

If describing a person, it's 'rude'. If describing a thing, it's 'irrelevant'.

Agreement Matters

Always add 'e' for feminine and 's' for plural. Agreement is key at B2 level.

Use Synonyms

To avoid confusion, use 'non pertinent' for 'irrelevant' and 'insolent' for 'rude'.

Silent T

Remember: masculine = silent T, feminine = pronounced T.

Formal Writing

Use it in essays to show you have a sophisticated vocabulary.

Intellectual Tone

Using it for 'irrelevant' makes you sound like a French intellectual.

Context Clues

Listen for words like 'sujet' or 'débat' to confirm the 'irrelevant' meaning.

Judge's Voice

Imagine a judge saying it to help you remember the formal 'irrelevant' meaning.

Latin Root

Remember 'in-' (not) + 'pertinere' (to belong).

False Friend

Don't assume it's exactly like the English word in every situation.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'im-' (not) + 'pertinent' (relevant). If it's not pertinent, it's impertinent!

Associação visual

Imagine a puzzle piece that is the wrong color and shape trying to fit into a blue puzzle. That piece is impertinent.

Word Web

pertinent relevant off-topic law debate logic rude insolent

Desafio

Try to use 'impertinent' in a sentence today to describe a piece of news that has nothing to do with your life.

Origem da palavra

From Middle French 'impertinent', derived from Late Latin 'impertinens'.

Significado original: Not belonging to the matter at hand.

Romance (Latin root: in- + pertinere).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using it with people; they may take it as an insult (rude) rather than a logical critique (irrelevant).

English speakers often only know the 'rude' meaning. Using the 'irrelevant' meaning in French shows high proficiency.

Molière's characters often display 'impertinence'. Legal dramas on French TV frequently use the term in its technical sense. Academic critiques in 'Le Monde' use it for logical errors.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Legal

  • objection impertinente
  • preuve impertinente
  • témoignage impertinent
  • pièce impertinente

Academic

  • argument impertinent
  • thèse impertinente
  • données impertinentes
  • référence impertinente

Business

  • remarque impertinente
  • détail impertinent
  • intervention impertinente
  • question impertinente

Literature

  • personnage impertinent
  • ton impertinent
  • style impertinent
  • dialogue impertinent

Philosophy

  • concept impertinent
  • logique impertinente
  • analogie impertinente
  • distinction impertinente

Iniciadores de conversa

"Pensez-vous que ce détail soit impertinent pour notre projet ?"

"Comment éviter les questions impertinentes lors d'une interview ?"

"Est-il impertinent de parler de politique à table ?"

"Avez-vous déjà entendu un argument totalement impertinent ?"

"Pourquoi ce témoin a-t-il donné des réponses impertinentes ?"

Temas para diário

Décrivez une situation où vous avez entendu une remarque totalement impertinente.

Pourquoi la précision est-elle importante pour éviter l'impertinence dans un texte ?

Expliquez la différence entre être impertinent (rude) et donner un argument impertinent.

Écrivez sur un livre qui contient trop de détails impertinents.

Comment réagiriez-vous si un juge déclarait votre preuve impertinente ?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No. While it often means rude in casual speech, in formal, legal, and academic contexts, it means 'irrelevant' or 'not pertinent'. You must look at the context to be sure.

The feminine form is 'impertinente'. You add an 'e' and pronounce the final 't'. For example: 'une question impertinente'.

The most common way to say 'off-topic' is 'hors sujet'. You can also say 'ça n'a rien à voir' (that has nothing to do with it).

When it means 'irrelevant', yes, it is quite formal. When it means 'rude', it is more neutral and can be used in daily life.

Yes, but if you call a person 'impertinent', most French speakers will think you are saying they are rude or cheeky, not that they are irrelevant.

The opposite is 'pertinent', which means relevant, appropriate, or to the point.

It is pronounced /ɛ̃.pɛʁ.ti.nɑ̃/. The 'im' is nasal like in 'vin', and the 't' at the end is silent.

Yes, it is a technical legal term. A judge might declare a question 'impertinente' if it has no bearing on the case.

Yes, but be careful. If you say 'Votre idée est impertinente', your colleague might think you are calling them rude. It's safer to say 'Votre idée n'est pas pertinente pour ce projet'.

Yes, 'l'impertinence' (feminine). It can mean either 'irrelevance' or 'insolence' depending on the context.

Teste-se 200 perguntas

writing

Translate to French: 'This argument is irrelevant.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write a sentence using 'impertinente' (feminine).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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Translate: 'We should ignore irrelevant details.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use 'impertinent' in a legal context sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

What is the noun form of impertinent?

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Translate: 'His intervention was totally irrelevant to the subject.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'impertinents' (plural).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Translate: 'Stop being rude!' (using impertinent).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Translate: 'An irrelevant remark'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Explain the difference between 'pertinent' and 'impertinent' in one French sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Translate: 'The lawyer's question was irrelevant.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Use 'impertinent' to describe a scientific study's data.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'It is a digression.' (using impertinent as a descriptor).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Translate: 'They are irrelevant.' (masculine plural).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'She gave an irrelevant answer.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write a short paragraph (3 sentences) about a debate with irrelevant arguments.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Translate: 'The irrelevance of his words'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Is it irrelevant?'

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writing

Translate: 'Totally irrelevant facts'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Translate: 'The evidence was judged irrelevant.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Pronounce: 'impertinent' (masculine).

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Pronounce: 'impertinente' (feminine).

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'This question is irrelevant.' in French.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'These facts are irrelevant.' in French.

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speaking

Explain the two meanings of 'impertinent' in French.

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speaking

Say: 'I find this argument irrelevant.' in French.

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speaking

Say: 'Stop being rude!' using impertinent.

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Use 'impertinent' in a sentence about a meeting.

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speaking

Pronounce the plural: 'impertinents'.

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speaking

Say: 'The judge rejected the evidence.' (using impertinent).

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speaking

Say: 'It is a totally irrelevant detail.'

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speaking

Describe an off-topic question in a classroom.

Read this aloud:

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Say: 'Your answer remains irrelevant.'

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speaking

Pronounce 'l'impertinence'.

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speaking

Say: 'Don't give irrelevant explanations.'

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speaking

Say: 'Is this relevant or irrelevant?'

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Say: 'He is talking about irrelevant things.'

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Say: 'The conclusion is irrelevant.'

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speaking

Say: 'It's off-topic.' using 'impertinent'.

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speaking

Explain why a rubber duck in court is 'impertinent'.

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'C'est impertinent.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Une question impertinente.'

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listening

Listen and identify: Is the speaker talking about a boy or a girl? 'Elle est impertinente.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Des arguments impertinents.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Le juge rejette la preuve.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'L'impertinence de ses propos.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'C'est hors de propos.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Il ne faut pas être impertinent.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Une digression impertinente.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Tout à fait impertinent.'

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listening

Listen and identify: How many syllables? 'Im-per-ti-nent'.

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Ces faits sont impertinents.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Une remarque impertinente.'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Pourquoi est-ce impertinent ?'

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listening

Listen and transcribe: 'Il s'égare.'

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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