Avoir beau faire
Example: Tu as beau faire des efforts, ça ne suffit pas toujours.
Definition
"Avoir beau faire" is a French expression used to indicate that despite trying or making an effort, the desired result is not achieved. For example, in "Tu as beau faire des efforts, ça ne suffit pas toujours," it means 'No matter how much you try, it is not always enough.'
Translations
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To do in vain -
Por mucho que haga -
Hoeveel moeite je ook doet -
Per més que faci -
Sich noch so sehr bemühen
Etymology
The expression "avoir beau faire" combines the verb "avoir" (to have) with "beau," originally meaning 'beautiful' or 'fine,' and the verb "faire" (to do). Historically, "avoir beau" meant 'to have it fine or good,' which evolved into an idiomatic phrase meaning 'to do something in vain' or 'to do something without success.' Did you know that despite containing 'beau' which suggests beauty, the phrase actually conveys frustration or futility?
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"Avoir beau faire" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 119 commonly used expressions.
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