Example: Je veux visiter Paris, ne serait-ce que pour la nourriture.
Definition
"Ne serait-ce que" is a French expression used to emphasize that even the smallest or least significant example or reason is enough to justify or explain something. It means 'if only' or 'even if only' and highlights a minimal condition or cause.
Translations
If only
Aunque solo sea
Al is het maar
Encara que només sigui
Wenn auch nur
Etymology
The phrase "ne serait-ce que" comes from French, combining the negation 'ne' with the conditional form 'serait' of the verb 'être' (to be), and 'ce que' meaning 'that which.' Together, it literally suggests 'would it not be only,' used to emphasize minimal conditions. Did you know this phrase reflects a subtle way French speakers express minimal justification, often seen in polite or nuanced conversation?
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"Ne serait-ce que" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 119 commonly used expressions.
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If only