À vrai dire
Example: À vrai dire, je préfère rester à la maison ce soir.
Definition
"À vrai dire" is a French expression used to introduce a statement that clarifies or admits the truth of a matter, often implying honesty or frankness. It means 'to tell the truth' or 'actually,' and is commonly used to preface personal opinions or confessions.
Etymology
The phrase "À vrai dire" literally translates to 'to true say' in English. It combines 'à' (to), 'vrai' (true), and 'dire' (to say). This expression has been used in French for centuries to signal honesty or directness in speech, emphasizing the speaker’s intention to convey the truth.
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"À vrai dire" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 119 commonly used expressions.
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