Correct" is a concept we use all the time, whether we're confirming information, giving feedback, or just agreeing with someone. In French, while correct (pronounced koh-rekt) is indeed a common and direct translation, the language offers a fascinating array of other words and expressions to convey that something is "right," "accurate," or "on point."As you learn and speak French, you'll undoubtedly find yourself needing to affirm or inquire about correctness. Mastering these various options will not only enrich your vocabulary but also make your conversations sound much more natural and native.So, let's explore 9 different ways to say "correct" in French, and add some valuable phrases to your linguistic toolkit!

The standard 'correct' (and sometimes 'right' or 'proper') – correct/correcte

Correct(e) is the most common and versatile word for 'correct' in French, often meaning 'accurate' or 'right'.

This adjective must agree with the noun it modifies in gender and number, so you'll encounter it as:correct - masculine singular (e.g., un calcul correct)correcte - feminine singular (e.g., une réponse correcte)corrects - masculine plural (e.g., des résultats corrects)correctes - feminine plural (e.g., des phrases correctes)

It can be used in both formal and informal situations, making it a reliable choice for expressing correctness or accuracy in French.

Beyond simple accuracy, correct/correcte can also imply something is 'proper', 'appropriate', or 'decent' in a social or behavioral sense.

To understand the specific nuance, consider the context:When referring to facts, answers, or calculations, correct/correcte means 'accurate' or 'right'.When describing behavior, manners, or appearance, it often means 'proper', 'appropriate', or 'socially acceptable'.

For instance, Ta réponse est correcte (Your answer is correct) refers to accuracy. Whereas, Son comportement n'est pas correct (His behavior is not proper/acceptable) describes social appropriateness.

While generally clear, the line can sometimes blur. For example, a 'correct' translation is both accurate and appropriate in style. The context usually guides the precise meaning.

Fortunately, the specific meaning of correct/correcte is almost always easily inferred from the surrounding words and situation. If you're talking about a math problem, it means 'accurate'; if you're discussing someone's table manners, it means 'proper'.

In French culture, the concept of being correct (proper) in social situations, dress, or speech can be quite important. It reflects a certain adherence to etiquette and standards, which goes beyond mere factual accuracy.

💡 * C'est une traduction correcte. (It's a correct translation.)

Il a donné la réponse correcte. (He gave the right answer.)

Elle a des manières très correctes. (She has very proper manners.)

Ce n'est pas correct de parler comme ça. (It's not proper to speak like that.)

Nous avons reçu des informations correctes. (We received correct information.)

The 'right' or 'just' – juste

The French word juste is remarkably versatile, serving as both an adjective and an adverb with several distinct meanings, primarily revolving around the concepts of 'right' or 'just'. Understanding its various uses is essential for mastering French nuance.

As an adjective, juste often means 'right,' 'correct,' or 'accurate.' This applies to answers, decisions, or even physical fit. For example, a réponse juste is the correct answer, and un prix juste is the right price.

Another key adjectival meaning is 'just' or 'fair,' referring to ethical correctness or impartiality. A juge juste is a fair judge, and une décision juste is a just decision, emphasizing equity and righteousness.

Perhaps its most common use in everyday conversation is as an adverb, meaning 'just,' 'exactly,' or 'only.' This usage often adds a sense of precision or limitation to an action or statement, as in juste à temps (just in time).

Understanding the context is crucial to determine which meaning of juste is being used. Whether it's describing the accuracy of information, the fairness of an act, or the exact timing of an event, juste adapts to its surroundings with subtlety.

You'll often hear phrases like C'est juste ! ('That's right!' or 'That's fair!') or juste pour voir ('just to see'), highlighting its adaptability and frequent appearance in French communication.

💡 *C'est juste, tu as raison. (That's right, you are correct.)
*Elle a juste assez d'argent pour acheter le pain. (She has just enough money to buy the bread.)
*Le juge a rendu une décision juste. (The judge made a fair decision.)
*Le pantalon est juste à ma taille. (The pants are just my size.)
*Je suis juste passé dire bonjour. (I just stopped by to say hello.)

The 'exact' or 'accurate' – exact/exacte

To express something as 'exact' or 'accurate' in French, you'll use the adjective exact (masculine) or exacte (feminine).

Like many French adjectives, exact/exacte must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Exact is used for masculine singular nouns, and exacte for feminine singular nouns.

This adjective describes precision, correctness, or faithfulness to reality. It can apply to measurements, facts, descriptions, or even timing, emphasizing accuracy.

You'll frequently hear it in expressions like C'est exact (That's correct/exact) or Ce n'est pas exact (That's not correct/exact), often used as quick affirmations or negations in a conversation.

Generally, exact/exacte is placed after the noun it describes, which is the common placement for many descriptive adjectives in French.

For plural nouns, the adjective forms are exacts (masculine plural) and exactes (feminine plural), following the standard French adjective agreement rules.

💡 * C'est la description exacte de la situation. (It's the exact description of the situation.)

L'heure exacte est dix heures trente. (The exact time is ten thirty.)

Ses calculs sont exacts. (His calculations are accurate.)

Est-ce que cette information est exacte ? (Is this information accurate?)

Non, ce n'est pas exact. (No, that's not correct.)

The 'true' or 'veracious' – vrai/vraie

The adjective vrai (masculine singular) or vraie (feminine singular) translates to 'true' or 'veracious' in English. It's used to describe something that is accurate, real, or authentic.

As an adjective, vrai/vraie must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The masculine plural is vrais, and the feminine plural is vraies. This agreement is fundamental for correct French usage.

Unlike many French adjectives that follow the noun, vrai typically precedes the noun it modifies. For example, you would say une vraie histoire (a true story) rather than une histoire vraie (though the latter can also exist with a slightly different nuance, vrai before is more common for 'true').

It's also frequently used with impersonal expressions like C'est vrai ('It's true') or Ce n'est pas vrai ('It's not true') to affirm or deny a statement. When referring to a specific person or thing, you might use Il est vrai or Elle est vraie.

💡 * C'est une vraie opportunité. (It's a true opportunity.)

Est-ce que c'est vrai ? (Is that true?)

Oui, c'est vrai. (Yes, it's true.)

Il a raconté une vraie histoire. (He told a true story.)

Ce sont de vrais amis. (These are true friends.)

The 'appropriate' or 'suitable' – approprié/appropriée

The French adjective approprié/appropriée directly translates to 'appropriate,' 'suitable,' or 'fitting' in English.

As an adjective, approprié must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use approprié for masculine singular nouns, appropriée for feminine singular, appropriés for masculine plural, and appropriées for feminine plural.

This term is widely used in both formal and informal contexts to describe something that is well-suited or correct for a particular situation, purpose, or person. It often implies a judgment of fitness or correctness.

It's frequently seen in phrases like le moment approprié (the appropriate moment), la réponse appropriée (the suitable answer), or des vêtements appropriés (appropriate clothes).

Mastering approprié/appropriée is essential for expressing suitability and correctness in French, making your descriptions more precise and natural.

💡 * C'est le moment approprié pour discuter de cela. (It's the appropriate moment to discuss this.)

Elle a trouvé une solution appropriée au problème. (She found a suitable solution to the problem.)

Ces commentaires ne sont pas appropriés dans ce contexte. (These comments are not appropriate in this context.)

Nous devons choisir les couleurs appropriées pour la décoration. (We must choose the appropriate colors for the decoration.)

Est-ce que cette tenue est appropriée pour l'occasion ? (Is this outfit suitable for the occasion?)

The 'valid' – valide

Literally, valide in French means 'valid' or 'legitimate,' similar to its English cognate. However, in contemporary French slang, particularly among younger generations, valide has taken on a much broader, informal meaning, often equivalent to 'cool,' 'approved,' or 'good to go.'

When used as slang, valide signifies approval or that something is acceptable and positive. It's frequently heard in informal conversations, especially within youth culture and social media. For example, if someone proposes an idea or a plan, responding with 'C'est valide!' means 'That's cool!' or 'That works!'

Think of valide in this context as a versatile slang term that can replace expressions like 'That's legit,' 'That's cool,' 'I'm down for that,' or 'It's approved.' It conveys a sense of confirmation and positivity, often implying that something meets expectations or is of good quality in an informal sense.

While a common and useful slang term, remember that valide in this informal sense is best reserved for casual settings and conversations with peers. Using it in formal contexts or with older generations might sound out of place or too informal. Stick to its literal meaning for official situations.

💡 * Ton idée pour ce soir, c'est super valide ! (Your idea for tonight, that's super cool!)

Le nouveau morceau de musique, il est vraiment valide. (The new music track, it's really good/legit.)

On se retrouve à 18h ? - C'est valide ! (Shall we meet at 6 PM? - That's good to go!)

J'ai fini le rapport, c'est valide pour l'envoi ? (I finished the report, is it approved to send?)

The 'proper' or 'fitting' – convenable

The French adjective convenable is used to express the idea of something being 'proper,' 'fitting,' 'suitable,' or 'appropriate.' It describes what aligns with expectations or standards.

It often refers to social appropriateness, decorum, or what is considered acceptable behavior, attire, or conditions. For instance, a 'convenable' outfit is one that is suitable for an occasion.

As an adjective ending in '-able', convenable does not change its form for masculine or feminine nouns. However, it does take an 's' in the plural: convenables.

💡 * C'est une tenue convenable pour le bureau. (It's a proper outfit for the office.)

Son comportement n'était pas convenable. (His behavior was not fitting/proper.)

Nous avons trouvé un prix convenable. (We found a suitable price.)

Est-ce que cette heure est convenable pour vous ? (Is this time suitable for you?)

Ils recherchent des conditions de travail convenables. (They are looking for suitable working conditions.)

The 'flawless' or 'impeccable' – impeccable

The adjective impeccable is a versatile and elegant word in French, directly translating to 'impeccable,' 'flawless,' or 'perfect' in English.

It describes something utterly without fault, blemish, or defect. You'll often hear it used to commend someone's appearance, work, manners, or performance.

A key point for learners is that impeccable is an invariable adjective. This means its form does not change to agree in gender or number with the noun it modifies, making it straightforward to use.

Impeccable conveys a strong sense of perfection and high standards, suggesting not just 'good' but 'perfectly good' or 'faultlessly executed.' It's a high compliment.

💡 * Son français est impeccable. (His French is flawless.)

Elle a un goût impeccable en matière de mode. (She has impeccable taste in fashion.)

Le service au restaurant était impeccable. (The service at the restaurant was impeccable.)

Sa performance sur scène était impeccable. (Her performance on stage was flawless.)

Il a toujours des manières impeccables. (He always has impeccable manners.)

The 'unmistakable' or 'error-free' – sans faute

The French phrase sans faute translates literally to 'without fault' or 'without error.' It's a versatile expression used to describe something that is flawless, perfect, or guaranteed to happen without fail.

To understand sans faute, let's look at its components: 'sans' means without, and 'faute' means fault, mistake, or error. Together, they form a powerful idiom that goes beyond a simple literal translation, emphasizing completeness or certainty.

You'll most often encounter sans faute in two main contexts: describing a perfect performance or outcome (e.g., an 'error-free' test, a 'flawless' execution) or guaranteeing an action will happen without fail or unmistakably (e.g., 'I'll be there without fail').

When someone says 'Il a fait un sans faute', it means they achieved a perfect score or performance. When used to guarantee an action, like 'Je serai là sans faute', it emphasizes absolute certainty and reliability, meaning 'I will definitely be there' or 'I will be there without fail'.

💡 * Il a livré le rapport sans faute. (He delivered the report flawlessly.)

Je serai là demain sans faute. (I will be there tomorrow without fail.)

Elle a fait un sans faute à l'examen. (She got a perfect score on the exam.)

La performance de l'orchestre était sans faute. (The orchestra's performance was flawless.)

Assurez-vous que le travail est sans faute. (Make sure the work is error-free.)

Are there other ways to say 'correct' in French?

Are there other ways to say “correct” in French?

Our list covers the most common and versatile ways to say “correct” in French. However, the French language is rich with nuance, and depending on the context, formality, or even regional usage, you might encounter other terms that convey a similar meaning.

To explore further, you can do an online search for “comment dire juste en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region, or search for synonyms like exact, précis, or adéquat to see how they fit different situations.

You might discover various interesting synonyms for correct. As always, make sure to check a word’s definition and observe how it's used in different contexts before incorporating it into your vocabulary.

Pay close attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover subtle differences in how native speakers express “correctness” or accuracy in various situations.

And if you’re looking for a deeper dive into the shades of meaning for correct and its related terms, the WordReference entry for correct is an excellent starting point for comprehensive definitions and examples.

I hope you found this article helpful in navigating the many ways to say “correct” in French. To conclude, here’s a timeless French proverb that encourages diligence: Bien faire et laisser dire. (Do well and let them talk.)

9 ways to say "correct" in French