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indifférent(e)

B2 noun 10分钟阅读

indifférent(e)

开始练习例句笔记与提示 indifférent(e) 30秒了解

解析 indifférent(e) in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can use 'indifférent' to talk about simple preferences. It is most commonly used in the phrase 'Ça m'est indifférent,' which means 'I don't mind' or 'It's all the same to me.' You might use it when someone asks if you want tea or coffee. You should focus on the basic meaning: not having a preference. Remember that the 't' at the end is silent when you are talking about a man or a general thing, but you add an 'e' and pronounce the 't' if you are talking about a woman. It is a useful word to avoid always saying 'je ne sais pas.'

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'indifférent' to describe people's personalities or reactions in simple stories. You will learn to use the preposition 'à' to say what someone is indifferent to, such as 'Il est indifférent à la musique.' You should also recognize the plural forms 'indifférents' and 'indifférentes.' At this stage, you are building the ability to describe emotions beyond just 'happy' or 'sad.' Being 'indifférent' is a neutral state that is very common in daily life. You can also use it to describe objects that are similar in value to you.

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At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'indifférent' in more complex sentence structures. You can use it to express social or political opinions, like 'Beaucoup de gens sont indifférents aux problèmes de l'environnement.' You will also start to see it used as a noun, 'un indifférent,' to describe someone who doesn't take part in social life. You should understand the difference between 'indifférent' and 'désintéressé' (impartial). This is the level where you start using the word to describe more abstract concepts and nuanced feelings in discussions or written essays.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'indifférent' with precision in professional and academic contexts. You should understand its use in economic terms like 'courbe d'indifférence' and its literary significance in works by authors like Camus. You can use the rhetorical device of litotes, saying 'ce n'est pas indifférent' to mean it is actually important. You should be comfortable with the word's formal register and its ability to function as a substantive noun in sociological debates. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the subtle difference between indifference, apathy, and stoicism.

At the C1 level, you will explore the philosophical depths of 'indifférence.' You can discuss the 'indifférent' as a character archetype in French literature and philosophy. You will use the word to analyze complex social phenomena, such as 'l'indifférence institutionnelle.' You should be able to use the word in high-level academic writing, exploring its etymological roots and its evolution from Latin. You will also use it in sophisticated irony or sarcasm. Your mastery should include knowing when 'indifférent' is preferred over more specialized terms like 'impassible' or 'flegmatique.'

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'indifférent' in all its nuances. You can use it to engage in deep philosophical discourse about the nature of the self and the world. You understand how the word functions in legal, medical, and scientific jargon. You can detect the subtle connotations of indifference in diplomatic language or high-stakes negotiations. You are capable of playing with the word's substantive and adjectival forms to create stylistic effects in creative writing. You understand the historical weight of the term in French intellectual history, from the Enlightenment to modern existentialism.

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开始练习例句笔记与提示

indifférent(e) 30秒了解

Indifférent means not caring or having no preference.
It works as both an adjective and a noun in French.
The most common construction is 'être indifférent à something'.
It is a key word in French existentialist literature.

The French word indifférent (feminine: indifférente) is a versatile term that functions primarily as an adjective but can also be used as a substantive noun. At its core, it describes a state of neutrality, lack of interest, or absence of emotional reaction toward a person, object, or situation. When used as a noun, un indifférent refers to an individual who remains unmoved or unconcerned by external events or the suffering of others. This concept is deeply rooted in French philosophical and literary traditions, often appearing in discussions about stoicism, existentialism, and social apathy.

Emotional Neutrality: It signifies a complete lack of preference. Whether it is a choice between two restaurants or a reaction to a major news event, being indifférent means the outcome does not affect the person's internal state.

Le témoin est resté indifférent face à la tragédie, ce qui a choqué l'opinion publique.

Example of emotional detachment.

In a social context, the term can carry a negative connotation, implying a lack of empathy or a cold disposition. However, it can also be used neutrally in logic or mathematics to describe elements that do not change a result. In everyday conversation, you might hear a Frenchman say, Cela m'est indifférent, which is a common way to express that they don't mind either way, similar to the English 'It's all the same to me.'

Substantive Usage: When you use 'l'indifférent' as a noun, you are categorizing a person by their lack of reaction. It turns a quality into an identity.

C'est un indifférent qui ne s'implique jamais dans les débats politiques.

Historically, the word has been used to describe those who refuse to take sides in religious or political conflicts. In the 17th century, for example, it could refer to someone who did not strictly adhere to a specific religious dogma, maintaining a distance from the fervor of the time. Today, the word is ubiquitous in psychological analysis, describing a defense mechanism where an individual detaches from reality to avoid pain.

Comparative Context: Unlike 'insensible' (unfeeling), 'indifférent' suggests a choice or a state of being where interest is simply not engaged, rather than a physical or emotional inability to feel.

Son attitude indifférente cache peut-être une grande timidité.

Il est indifférent à la critique, ce qui lui permet de continuer son travail sereinement.

Nous ne pouvons pas rester indifférents au sort des réfugiés.

Using indifférent correctly requires attention to its grammatical agreement and the prepositions that follow it. As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. As a noun, it takes an article (un, une, les). The most common construction involves the preposition à (to), which links the state of indifference to its object.

Agreement Rules: Masculine Singular: indifférent. Feminine Singular: indifférente. Masculine Plural: indifférents. Feminine Plural: indifférentes.

Elle semble totalement indifférente à ses compliments.

When expressing that something doesn't matter to you, the construction Cela m'est indifférent is standard. Here, the pronoun me (m') indicates to whom the indifference belongs. You can replace cela with specific subjects: Le choix du film m'est indifférent (The choice of movie is indifferent to me/doesn't matter to me).

The Noun Form: When used as a noun, it often appears in sociological or literary contexts to describe a group or a specific character type.

La société ne doit pas être composée d'indifférents.

In more formal or literary French, you might encounter indifférent used with the preposition de in very specific archaic contexts, but for modern learners, à is the absolute rule. It is also important to note that indifférent can modify an infinitive verb: Il est indifférent de savoir qui a commencé (It is indifferent/unimportant to know who started).

Negative Usage: Using 'pas indifférent' is a common rhetorical device (litotes) to say that something is actually quite important or moving.

Sa proposition ne me laisse pas indifférent.

Meaning: I am actually quite interested or touched.

In business French, indifférent is used to describe products or options that are substitutable. If two options are indifférentes, it means they provide the same utility. In this sense, it aligns with economic theory where an 'indifference curve' (courbe d'indifférence) represents combinations of goods that provide the same level of satisfaction.

Pour ce projet, le choix du fournisseur nous est indifférent tant que les délais sont respectés.

Les indifférents sont souvent les premiers à se plaindre quand les choses tournent mal.

You will encounter indifférent in a wide array of settings, from high-brow literature to casual street slang. In French media, journalists often use it to describe the public's reaction to government policies or scandals. For instance, a headline might read, Les Français indifférents à la nouvelle réforme? (Are the French indifferent to the new reform?). This highlights a perceived lack of engagement or apathy in the populace.

In Literature: The most famous literary usage is arguably in Albert Camus' 'L'Étranger'. The protagonist, Meursault, is the ultimate 'indifférent', famously reacting to his mother's death with a lack of overt emotion.

Meursault incarne l'homme indifférent face à l'absurdité du monde.

In everyday spoken French, the phrase ça m'est égal is more common than ça m'est indifférent, but the latter is used when one wants to sound more precise or slightly more formal. If a friend asks if you want to go to the cinema or the park, and you truly have no preference, saying Cela m'est indifférent sounds sophisticated and clear. In romantic contexts, being told Tu me laisses indifférent is one of the harshest rejections, as it implies that the person doesn't even feel enough to dislike you.

In News and Politics: Politicians often warn against 'l'indifférence collective', urging citizens to take an interest in social issues like climate change or poverty.

Face à la montée des eaux, nous ne pouvons plus rester indifférents.

You will also hear this word in the world of art and fashion. A critic might describe a collection as laissant le public indifférent, meaning it failed to provoke any reaction, positive or negative—which is often considered worse than being hated in the creative world. In music, lyrics often explore the pain of an amour indifférent (unrequited or cold love).

In Psychology: Therapists might discuss 'le patient indifférent' to describe someone who is emotionally numb or repressed.

L'enfant semblait indifférent au départ de ses parents, un signe possible d'attachement insécure.

Rien ne semble pouvoir perturber son calme indifférent.

Learning to use indifférent correctly involves avoiding several common pitfalls, particularly for English speakers who might be influenced by 'false friends' or slightly different usage patterns in their native language.

Confusion with 'Désintéressé': In English, 'disinterested' and 'uninterested' are often confused. In French, 'désintéressé' means impartial or not acting for personal gain (like a judge). 'Indifférent' means not caring at all. Using 'indifférent' when you mean 'impartial' can change the meaning of your sentence entirely.

Faux pas: Un juge doit être indifférent. (Wrong: This implies the judge doesn't care about the case.) Correct: Un juge doit être désintéressé.

Another frequent error is the omission of gender and number agreement. Because the 't' in indifférent is silent in the masculine but pronounced in the feminine (indifférente), failing to make the agreement is a very noticeable mistake in spoken French.

Preposition Errors: Students often use 'de' or 'par' after 'indifférent' because of English influences (indifferent to/by). In French, it is almost exclusively 'à'.

Incorrect: Il est indifférent de la politique. Correct: Il est indifférent à la politique.

A subtle mistake involves the use of indifférent as a noun. While you can say un indifférent, it sounds quite literary or formal. In casual conversation, it is much more natural to use the adjective with a noun, like une personne indifférente. Using the substantive form in a grocery store might sound a bit like you're reciting 19th-century poetry.

Misusing 'Ça m'est indifférent': While grammatically correct, using this phrase too often can make you sound cold. In social situations where you want to be polite, 'Comme tu veux' (As you wish) or 'C'est comme tu préfères' is often a warmer alternative.

Elle est restée indifférente devant ses excuses, ce qui a clos la discussion.

Les indifférents ne font pas l'histoire, ils la subissent.

To truly master the nuance of indifférent, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. While they all touch on the idea of not caring, the 'flavor' of each word varies significantly.

Indifférent vs. Insensible: 'Insensible' is stronger. It implies a lack of feeling or physical sensation. 'Indifférent' suggests a lack of mental or emotional interest. You can be indifférent to a choice, but you are insensible to pain.

Il est indifférent à la mode (He doesn't care about fashion). Il est insensible à la douleur (He doesn't feel pain).

Another important comparison is with détaché. Being détaché often has a positive or professional connotation, suggesting a healthy emotional distance or objectivity. Indifférent is more likely to be seen as a character flaw or a simple lack of engagement.

Common Alternatives: 1. Désintéressé (Impartial). 2. Neutre (Neutral). 3. Égal (Equal/Same). 4. Blasé (Bored/Over-exposed).

Son regard blasé montrait qu'il avait déjà tout vu.

In a debate, you might use impartial to show you are fair, whereas indifférent would suggest you don't care about the outcome at all. In terms of antonyms, passionné (passionate), intéressé (interested), and sensible (sensitive) are the primary opposites. If indifférent is a flat line on an EKG, passionné is a series of high peaks.

Contextual Choice: Choose 'blasé' if the indifference comes from having too much of something. Choose 'indifférent' for general lack of concern.

Elle reste indifférente aux provocations de son frère.

Un public indifférent est le cauchemar de tout artiste.

How Formal Is It?

正式

"Le sujet demeure indifférent aux sollicitations extérieures."

中性

"Il est indifférent à la politique."

非正式

"Ça m'est complètement indifférent."

Child friendly

"Il ne s'intéresse pas à ses jouets, il est indifférent."

俚语

"Il s'en tape, il est trop indifférent."

趣味小知识

In Stoic philosophy, 'indifferent' things (adiaphora) were those that didn't affect a person's moral character, like wealth or health.

发音指南

UK /ɛ̃.di.fe.ʁɑ̃/

US /ɛ̃.di.fe.ʁɑ̃/

Stress falls slightly on the final syllable of the word group.

押韵词

différent parent apparent adhérent cohérent référent révérent transparent

常见错误

Pronouncing the final 't' in the masculine form.
Not making the 'in' nasal (sounding like English 'in').
Not making the 'an' nasal at the end.
Confusing the feminine 'indifférente' with the masculine 'indifférent' in speech.
Over-stressing the first syllable.

难度评级

阅读 3/5

The word is easy to recognize because of its English cognate, but its nuances in literature can be tricky.

写作 4/5

Agreement and the correct preposition 'à' are common points of failure for learners.

口语 3/5

The nasal vowels and silent final 't' require practice.

听力 3/5

Distinguishing between masculine and feminine in fast speech can be challenging.

接下来学什么

前置知识

Différent Intérêt Sentiment Égal À

接下来学习

Indifférence Détachement Insensible Apathie Impassible

高级

Adiaphora Existentialisme Stoïcisme Désintéressement Ataraxie

需要掌握的语法

Adjective Agreement

La foule (f) est indifférente.

Preposition 'à' with verbs of feeling/state

Il est indifférent à la musique.

Substantive Adjectives

L'indifférent (The indifferent man).

Litotes (Double Negative)

Ce n'est pas indifférent (It is important).

Impersonal 'Il est'

Il est indifférent que tu viennes ou non.

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按水平分级的例句

Le café ou le thé ? Ça m'est indifférent.

Coffee or tea? It's all the same to me.

Uses 'cela m'est' + adjective.

Il est indifférent.

He is indifferent.

Masculine singular adjective.

Elle est indifférente.

She is indifferent.

Feminine singular adjective (pronounce the 't').

Le choix est indifférent.

The choice is unimportant.

Adjective modifying 'le choix'.

Ils sont indifférents.

They are indifferent.

Masculine plural.

C'est un homme indifférent.

He is an indifferent man.

Adjective after the noun.

Tu es indifférente ?

Are you indifferent?

Subject-verb agreement for 'tu' (feminine).

Tout lui est indifférent.

Everything is the same to him.

Use of 'tout' as a subject.

Il est indifférent à la météo.

He is indifferent to the weather.

Preposition 'à' used after the adjective.

Elle reste indifférente à ses cadeaux.

She remains indifferent to his gifts.

Verb 'rester' + adjective.

Nous sommes indifférents au prix.

We are indifferent to the price.

Plural agreement.

Mon chat est indifférent aux chiens.

My cat is indifferent to dogs.

Agreement with 'chat' (masculine).

Cette couleur m'est indifférente.

This color doesn't matter to me.

Feminine agreement with 'couleur'.

Il semble indifférent à tout.

He seems indifferent to everything.

Verb 'sembler' + adjective.

Elles sont indifférentes à la mode.

They (fem.) are indifferent to fashion.

Feminine plural agreement.

Ce film me laisse indifférent.

This movie leaves me indifferent.

Construction 'laisser quelqu'un' + adjective.

Il ne faut pas être indifférent à la souffrance d'autrui.

One must not be indifferent to the suffering of others.

Negative imperative context.

L'indifférent ne prend jamais parti.

The indifferent person never takes sides.

Used as a substantive noun.

Elle a un ton très indifférent.

She has a very indifferent tone.

Adjective modifying 'ton'.

Le gouvernement est indifférent aux critiques.

The government is indifferent to criticism.

Collective noun usage.

Il est devenu indifférent avec le temps.

He became indifferent over time.

Verb 'devenir' showing change of state.

C'est une réaction indifférente et froide.

It is an indifferent and cold reaction.

Feminine agreement with 'réaction'.

Ils sont restés indifférents malgré l'urgence.

They remained indifferent despite the urgency.

Contrastive conjunction 'malgré'.

Sa beauté ne me laisse pas indifférent.

Her beauty doesn't leave me indifferent (I find her beautiful).

Litotes (double negative for emphasis).

L'indifférent est celui qui a renoncé à l'action.

The indifferent person is the one who has given up on action.

Substantive noun in a philosophical context.

Il affiche une mine indifférente pour masquer sa peur.

He puts on an indifferent face to hide his fear.

Collocation 'afficher une mine'.

Les résultats sont indifférents pour la suite de l'étude.

The results are irrelevant for the rest of the study.

Meaning 'irrelevant' or 'without impact'.

On ne peut pas rester indifférent face à une telle injustice.

One cannot remain indifferent in the face of such injustice.

Modal verb 'pouvoir' + 'rester'.

Son attitude indifférente a fini par lasser ses amis.

His indifferent attitude eventually tired out his friends.

Causative structure with 'finir par'.

Le choix du support est indifférent à la qualité du message.

The choice of medium is indifferent to the quality of the message.

Abstract logic usage.

Il est passé d'un extrême à l'autre : de la passion à l'indifférent.

He went from one extreme to the other: from passion to the indifferent (state).

Noun usage in a comparative structure.

L'indifférente qu'elle était autrefois a bien changé.

The indifferent woman she once was has changed a lot.

Substantive noun with relative clause.

La posture de l'indifférent est souvent un rempart contre la douleur.

The posture of the indifferent person is often a shield against pain.

Metaphorical noun usage.

Il est indifférent de savoir si l'âme est mortelle ou non pour agir moralement.

It is indifferent to know whether the soul is mortal or not in order to act morally.

Impersonal construction 'Il est indifférent de...'

L'indifférentisme religieux fut un grand débat du XIXe siècle.

Religious indifferentism was a great debate of the 19th century.

Related noun 'indifférentisme'.

Sa réussite nous laisse tout sauf indifférents.

His success leaves us anything but indifferent.

Idiom 'tout sauf indifférent'.

Il cultive un détachement qui frise l'indifférent.

He cultivates a detachment that borders on the indifferent.

Verb 'friser' (to border on).

L'histoire ne pardonne pas aux indifférents.

History does not forgive the indifferent.

Plural substantive noun.

Une nature indifférente aux tourments humains.

A nature indifferent to human torments.

Literary personification of nature.

Il est resté indifférent, comme pétrifié dans son propre silence.

He remained indifferent, as if petrified in his own silence.

Simile with 'comme'.

Meursault, l'indifférent par excellence, défie les conventions sociales par son absence d'affect.

Meursault, the indifferent person par excellence, defies social conventions through his lack of affect.

Literary analysis.

L'indifférence de la matière face à l'esprit est un thème récurrent en métaphysique.

The indifference of matter toward the spirit is a recurring theme in metaphysics.

Noun form 'indifférence' related to 'indifférent'.

Il n'est pas indifférent que ce décret ait été signé un dimanche.

It is not without significance that this decree was signed on a Sunday.

Litotes used for political nuance.

Le cosmopolitisme peut parfois mener à un certain type d'indifférent.

Cosmopolitanism can sometimes lead to a certain type of indifferent person.

Sociological substantive noun.

La loi est indifférente aux motivations personnelles si l'acte est illégal.

The law is indifferent to personal motivations if the act is illegal.

Legal context.

Il a accueilli la nouvelle avec un flegme indifférent.

He received the news with an indifferent phlegm (calm).

Noun-adjective pair.

Dans l'univers stoïcien, les choses extérieures sont qualifiées d'indifférentes.

In the Stoic universe, external things are qualified as indifferent.

Philosophical terminology.

L'indifférente beauté des astres nous rappelle notre insignifiance.

The indifferent beauty of the stars reminds us of our insignificance.

Poetic adjective placement.

常见搭配

Rester indifférent

Laisser indifférent

Paraître indifférent

Tout à fait indifférent

Totalement indifférent

L'indifférent de service

Regard indifférent

Air indifférent

Public indifférent

Choix indifférent

常用短语

Cela m'est indifférent.

— It doesn't matter to me. I have no preference.

Vin rouge ou blanc ? Cela m'est indifférent.

Ne pas laisser indifférent.

— To provoke a reaction or to be moving. Usually used in the negative.

Ce film ne laisse personne indifférent.

Jouer l'indifférent.

— To pretend not to care. Often used in romantic contexts.

Il joue l'indifférent, mais il est amoureux.

Rester indifférent à tout.

— To be completely unconcerned by everything happening.

Depuis l'accident, il reste indifférent à tout.

Passer pour indifférent.

— To be perceived as someone who doesn't care.

Je ne veux pas passer pour indifférent à tes problèmes.

Être indifférent au sort de...

— To not care about what happens to a specific person or group.

Ils sont indifférents au sort des plus démunis.

D'un œil indifférent.

— With a lack of interest or concern.

Il regardait le chaos d'un œil indifférent.

Un ton indifférent.

— A voice that shows no emotion or interest.

Elle a répondu d'un ton indifférent.

Se montrer indifférent.

— To display a lack of interest purposefully.

Il s'est montré indifférent lors de la réunion.

Indifférent à la douleur.

— Not feeling or reacting to pain.

Il semble presque indifférent à la douleur physique.

容易混淆的词

indifférent(e) vs Insensible

Indifférent is about interest; insensible is about feeling/sensation.

indifférent(e) vs Désintéressé

Désintéressé means impartial; indifférent means not caring.

indifférent(e) vs Neutre

Neutre is often objective; indifférent can be subjective or emotional.

习语与表达

"Rester de marbre"

— To remain completely indifferent or emotionless, like a marble statue.

Devant ses menaces, il est resté de marbre.

Informal/Neutral

"S'en moquer comme de sa première chemise"

— To be completely indifferent to something (very informal).

Il s'en moque comme de sa première chemise.

Informal

"Cela me fait une belle jambe"

— I couldn't care less (sarcastic indifference).

Tu as gagné ? Cela me fait une belle jambe.

Informal

"S'en laver les mains"

— To be indifferent to the outcome or to refuse responsibility.

Pour cette affaire, je m'en lave les mains.

Neutral/Idiomatic

"Faire la sourde oreille"

— To act indifferently by ignoring what is being said.

Il fait la sourde oreille à mes demandes.

Neutral

"Être comme une poule qui a trouvé un couteau"

— To be indifferent because of a lack of understanding (rare/regional).

Il regarde ce livre comme une poule qui a trouvé un couteau.

Informal

"N'en avoir cure"

— To not care at all (formal/literary indifference).

Il n'en a cure de vos opinions.

Formal

"S'en battre l'œil"

— To be totally indifferent (vulgar/informal).

Je m'en bats l'œil de ce qu'il pense.

Slang

"Passer comme une lettre à la poste"

— Sometimes implies indifference because something is accepted without question.

Cette excuse est passée comme une lettre à la poste.

Informal

"Regarder passer les trains"

— To be a passive, indifferent observer of life.

Il se contente de regarder passer les trains.

Informal

容易混淆

indifférent(e) vs Différent

They look similar.

Différent means not the same; indifférent means not caring.

C'est un problème différent, mais j'y suis indifférent.

indifférent(e) vs Désintéressé

Related to interest.

Désintéressé is a virtue (unselfish); indifférent is a state (uninterested).

Un acte désintéressé n'est pas forcément indifférent.

indifférent(e) vs Impassible

Both describe lack of reaction.

Impassible refers to the face/expression; indifférent refers to the mind/heart.

Il reste impassible, mais il n'est pas indifférent.

indifférent(e) vs Apathique

Both mean lack of concern.

Apathique implies a total loss of energy or will; indifférent is more specific to an object.

Il est devenu apathique, tout lui est indifférent.

indifférent(e) vs Détaché

Both imply distance.

Détaché is often a conscious choice for objectivity; indifférent is a lack of engagement.

Le chirurgien est détaché, mais pas indifférent à son patient.

句型

Ça m'est [adjective].

Ça m'est indifférent.

[Sujet] est indifférent à [Nom].

Jean est indifférent à la météo.

Ne pas laisser [quelqu'un] indifférent.

Ce livre ne me laisse pas indifférent.

Rester indifférent face à [situation].

Elle reste indifférente face au danger.

Il est indifférent de [verbe].

Il est indifférent de gagner ou de perdre.

L'indifférent que [pronom] est...

L'indifférent qu'il est ne réagira pas.

Une [nom] indifférente aux [nom].

Une nature indifférente aux cris des hommes.

Friser l'indifférent.

Son calme frise l'indifférent.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

如何使用

frequency

High in written French, medium-high in spoken French.

常见错误

Il est indifférent de la musique. → Il est indifférent à la musique.
The preposition after 'indifférent' must be 'à', not 'de'.
Je suis indifférent (said by a woman). → Je suis indifférente.
Adjectives must agree with the gender of the speaker.
Un juge indifférent. → Un juge désintéressé.
A judge should be impartial (désintéressé), not someone who doesn't care about the law (indifférent).
Pronouncing the 't' in 'indifférent' (masculine). → Silent 't'.
In French, final consonants are often silent. The 't' is only heard in the feminine form.
Using 'indifférent' to mean 'different'. → Différent.
They are opposites in a sense; don't confuse the two because of their similar spelling.

小贴士

Agreeing with the Subject

Don't forget that if the subject is feminine, you must add an 'e'. If you are a woman saying 'I am indifferent', say 'Je suis indifférente'.

Use Litotes

Saying 'Ce n'est pas indifférent' is a sophisticated way to highlight that something is actually quite important.

Nasal Vowels

The first and last syllables are nasal. Practice saying 'un' and 'en' to get the sound right. Do not let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth.

Synonym Choice

Use 'blasé' if you want to sound more informal and imply that you've seen it all before.

Politeness

If someone offers you a choice, 'Ça m'est indifférent' is polite, but 'Comme vous voulez' sounds friendlier.

Existentialist Context

If you are reading Camus, look for this word. It is central to the character of Meursault in 'L'Étranger'.

Neutrality

Remember that in math or logic, 'indifférent' means it doesn't change the result. It's a useful term for technical writing.

Preposition 'À'

Always follow 'indifférent' with 'à'. Memorize it as a pair: 'indifférent à'.

Formal vs. Informal

Use 'indifférent' in writing and 'égal' in casual speaking to sound more like a native speaker.

Visualizing Indifference

Picture a shrug of the shoulders. That physical gesture is the essence of being 'indifférent'.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of 'IN-DIFFERENT'. If something is 'in-different' to you, it makes no difference which one you choose. You are indifferent.

视觉联想

Imagine a person sitting on a fence, looking at two identical paths. They aren't moving because both paths look the same to them.

Word Web

Neutrality Apathy Stoicism Choice Coldness Boredom Impartiality Unmoved

挑战

Try to use the phrase 'Cela m'est indifférent' three times today when someone asks you for a preference.

词源

Derived from the Latin 'indifferens', which is the negation 'in-' and 'differens' (present participle of 'differre' - to differ).

原始含义： Originally meant 'not differing' or 'making no difference'.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French.

文化背景

Be careful when using this to describe people; it can imply they are heartless or cold.

English speakers often use 'uninterested' or 'doesn't matter'. 'Indifferent' in English sounds slightly more formal than its French counterpart.

L'Étranger by Albert Camus (Meursault) L'Indifférent (painting by Antoine Watteau) L'Indifférence (song by Gilbert Bécaud)

在生活中练习

真实语境

Choosing between options

Ça m'est indifférent.
Le choix est indifférent.
Peu importe.
Comme vous voulez.

Describing a person's character

C'est un grand indifférent.
Elle est très indifférente.
Il a un air indifférent.
Il reste indifférent à tout.

Social/Political discussions

L'indifférence des citoyens.
Rester indifférent au sort des autres.
L'indifférence tue.
Un public indifférent.

Romantic situations

Tu me laisses indifférent.
Jouer l'indifférent.
Une attitude indifférente.
L'amour et l'indifférence.

Academic/Scientific

Variable indifférente.
Courbe d'indifférence.
Résultat indifférent.
Milieu indifférent.

对话开场白

"Est-ce que tu es indifférent à la mode ou est-ce que tu aimes suivre les tendances ?"

"Penses-tu qu'il est possible de rester indifférent face aux nouvelles du monde ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui te laisse totalement indifférent dans la vie de tous les jours ?"

"Préfères-tu qu'on te critique ou qu'on soit indifférent à ton travail ?"

"Est-ce que le choix du restaurant t'est indifférent ce soir ?"

日记主题

Décrivez une situation où vous avez dû faire semblant d'être indifférent pour protéger vos sentiments.

L'indifférence est-elle une forme de liberté ou une forme de lâcheté ? Argumentez.

Parlez d'un film ou d'un livre qui ne vous a pas laissé indifférent et expliquez pourquoi.

Imaginez la vie d'un homme totalement indifférent à tout. Comment se passe sa journée ?

Est-ce que l'indifférence est le contraire de l'amour ? Développez votre pensée.

常见问题

10 个问题

No, it is not always negative. While it can imply coldness, it can also describe a peaceful state of neutrality or a logical lack of preference. For example, in 'Ça m'est indifférent' (It's all the same to me), it is a neutral way to express that you are flexible with choices.

'Égal' is more common in the phrase 'Ça m'est égal'. It is slightly less formal than 'indifférent'. 'Indifférent' is more precise when describing a person's character or a deep lack of emotional response.

The feminine 'indifférente' is pronounced with the final 't' sound: [ɛ̃.di.fe.ʁɑ̃t]. The masculine 'indifférent' ends with the nasal vowel and the 't' is silent: [ɛ̃.di.fe.ʁɑ̃].

Generally, no. The standard preposition is 'à'. However, in impersonal constructions like 'Il est indifférent de savoir...', the 'de' is used to introduce the infinitive. But to say 'indifferent to something', always use 'à'.

It is common in literature and philosophy to describe a type of person. In everyday speech, it is more common to use it as an adjective: 'C'est quelqu'un d'indifférent'.

Yes, in technical or logical contexts, 'indifférent' can mean that something does not affect the outcome or is irrelevant to the discussion.

The most direct opposites are 'passionné' (passionate), 'intéressé' (interested), or 'sensible' (sensitive/affected).

You would say: 'Je suis indifférent à tes problèmes.' Note the use of 'à'.

Not exactly, as they share the same origin and core meaning. However, the French word is used more frequently in daily life and has a stronger presence as a substantive noun.

It is a common way to say that something is striking, moving, or controversial. 'Ce film ne laisse pas indifférent' means everyone has a reaction to it.

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