意思
True merit and virtue do not depend on a person's age.
文化背景
This phrase is a hallmark of the 'Grand Siècle' (17th century) literature. It is taught to every child as part of Pierre Corneille's *Le Cid*. In Quebec, the phrase is equally known and used to celebrate the 'jeunesse' (youth) in business and arts, often seen as a sign of a dynamic society. In many West African cultures, respect for elders is paramount. Using this proverb can be a delicate way to acknowledge a young person's talent without disrespecting the hierarchy of age. Due to the French colonial influence, this proverb is sometimes known among the older, French-educated generation, resonating with Confucian values of early scholarly success.
Use it for 'The Cid' effect
If someone questions your age in a formal setting, using this quote shows you are not only talented but also highly educated in French literature.
Don't over-use 'point'
Outside of this specific proverb, using 'point' instead of 'pas' can make you sound like you're living in the 1600s.
意思
True merit and virtue do not depend on a person's age.
Use it for 'The Cid' effect
If someone questions your age in a formal setting, using this quote shows you are not only talented but also highly educated in French literature.
Don't over-use 'point'
Outside of this specific proverb, using 'point' instead of 'pas' can make you sound like you're living in the 1600s.
The 'Mbappé' Context
In France, this is the #1 phrase used by sports journalists whenever a teenager scores a goal in a major match.
自我测试
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
Aux âmes bien ______, la ______ n'attend point le nombre des années.
'Âmes' is feminine plural, so 'nées' is required. 'Valeur' is the original word used by Corneille.
In which situation is this proverb most appropriate?
A 12-year-old girl wins a national chess championship against adults.
This proverb specifically praises youthful achievement that bypasses the need for long experience.
Choose the best response to complete the dialogue.
Le patron : 'Je vais nommer Julie directrice technique. Elle n'a que 24 ans.' L'associé : 'C'est risqué, non ?' Le patron : 'Peut-être, mais _________________.'
The patron is justifying a young person's promotion based on their innate merit.
Match the part of the proverb to its meaning.
Match the segments:
This breaks down the classical syntax into modern concepts.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
练习题库
4 练习Aux âmes bien ______, la ______ n'attend point le nombre des années.
'Âmes' is feminine plural, so 'nées' is required. 'Valeur' is the original word used by Corneille.
A 12-year-old girl wins a national chess championship against adults.
This proverb specifically praises youthful achievement that bypasses the need for long experience.
Le patron : 'Je vais nommer Julie directrice technique. Elle n'a que 24 ans.' L'associé : 'C'est risqué, non ?' Le patron : 'Peut-être, mais _________________.'
The patron is justifying a young person's promotion based on their innate merit.
将左侧的每个项目与右侧的配对匹配:
This breaks down the classical syntax into modern concepts.
🎉 得分： /4
常见问题
10 个问题Yes, it is very common in modern French and sounds slightly less formal, though still sophisticated.
Originally it meant an aristocrat, but today it refers to anyone with natural talent or a noble spirit.
Rarely in casual chat. It's mostly for speeches, articles, or when you want to make a strong point about a young person's success.
No, it refers to 'merit,' 'bravery,' or 'excellence.'
Because it agrees with 'âmes' (souls), which is a feminine noun in French.
People often just say 'la valeur n'attend pas le nombre des années.'
Yes, it's better to use it about someone else. Using it about yourself might seem a bit boastful.
Absolutely. It's the ultimate 'defense of youth' in a world that often values seniority.
There isn't a direct one, but 'on n'apprend pas aux vieux singes à faire des grimaces' (you can't teach old monkeys to make faces) emphasizes the value of age/experience.
No, the phrase is so famous that the reference is implied.
相关表达
Le talent n'a pas d'âge
similarTalent has no age.
Bon sang ne saurait mentir
builds onGood blood cannot lie.
Si jeunesse savait, si vieillesse pouvait
contrastIf youth only knew, if old age only could.
L'expérience est une lanterne que l'on porte dans le dos
contrastExperience is a lantern one carries on one's back.
