Faux is probably the first word that comes to mind when you want to say “wrong” in French. But just like in English, there are many other ways to express that something isn't right, incorrect, or mistaken! Knowing these different options will allow you to communicate more precisely and sound more like a native speaker. Let's explore 9 useful ways to say “wrong” in French, covering various situations and nuances!

The direct 'wrong' or 'false' – faux/fausse

Faux/fausse is the standard and most direct French word for 'wrong' or 'false', often implying a factual error or lack of authenticity.

This adjective must agree with the noun it describes, so you’ll see it either as:faux - masculine singular (e.g., un faux pas)fausse - feminine singular (e.g., une fausse idée)faux - masculine plural (e.g., des faux documents)fausses - feminine plural (e.g., des fausses accusations)

As with most French adjectives, faux/fausse must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

Typically, faux/fausse precedes the noun it describes, unlike many other French adjectives that follow the noun.

Beyond simply 'incorrect', faux/fausse frequently conveys the meaning of 'fake', 'artificial', or 'counterfeit', especially when referring to objects.

It's also used in common expressions like avoir faux (to be wrong) or faire fausse route (to be on the wrong track or take the wrong path).

While faux/fausse means 'wrong' in terms of factual inaccuracy or inauthenticity, it's distinct from mal (morally wrong or badly) or mauvais (bad in quality).

Fortunately, the context of the sentence almost always clarifies whether faux/fausse means factually incorrect, a mistake, or something inauthentic.

For instance, une fausse note means a wrong note (in music), while une fausse fourrure means fake fur, and une fausse pièce could mean a counterfeit coin.

💡 * C'est une fausse information. (That's false information.)

Tu as faux. (You are wrong.)

Il porte une fausse montre. (He's wearing a fake watch.)

Nous avons fait fausse route. (We took the wrong path / We were on the wrong track.)

Ce n'est pas un vrai diamant, c'est un faux. (It's not a real diamond, it's a fake one.)

The 'incorrect' – incorrect/incorrecte

The French words for 'incorrect' are incorrect (masculine singular) and incorrecte (feminine singular), meaning 'wrong', 'improper', or 'not correct'.

Like many French adjectives, incorrect changes its ending to agree with the gender of the noun it modifies. You'll use incorrect for masculine nouns and incorrecte for feminine nouns.

For plural nouns, simply add an 's': incorrects (masculine plural) and incorrectes (feminine plural).

These words are commonly used to describe something that is factually wrong or an answer that is not right. For example, if a calculation is off or a statement is untrue.

Beyond factual errors, incorrect/incorrecte can also describe behavior, actions, or even clothing that is deemed improper, inappropriate, or impolite in a given social context.

While faux/fausse also means 'wrong' or 'false', incorrect/incorrecte often carries a slightly stronger connotation of being improper or not conforming to a standard, rather than just factually untrue.

💡 * Cette réponse est incorrecte. (This answer is incorrect.)

Votre calcul est incorrect. (Your calculation is incorrect.)

Son comportement était incorrect. (His behavior was improper.)

Ces informations sont incorrectes. (This information is incorrect.)

Porter un jean à cette cérémonie serait incorrect. (Wearing jeans to this ceremony would be inappropriate.)

The 'badly' or 'wrongly' (adverb) – mal

In French, the adverb mal is commonly used to express the idea of 'badly' or 'wrongly'.

It's crucial to remember that mal is an adverb, meaning it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It is not an adjective like mauvais (bad) and therefore does not change form for gender or number.

The most straightforward use of mal is to describe how an action is performed, indicating it's done 'badly' or 'poorly'.

When paired with the verb aller (to go), mal often means 'to be ill' or 'to feel bad.' For example, Je me sens mal (I feel bad/sick).

The construction avoir mal à is specifically used to express physical pain in a particular body part. For instance, J'ai mal au dos means 'My back hurts' or 'I have back pain'.

Mal can also describe a negative emotional or mental state, implying something is 'wrong' or 'unpleasant' mentally, like Il a mal vécu cette situation (He took this situation badly).

Beyond its direct adverbial use, mal appears in many common French expressions, such as de mal en pis (from bad to worse) or avoir du mal à faire quelque chose (to have difficulty doing something).

💡 * Il chante mal. (He sings badly.)* Je me sens mal aujourd'hui. (I feel bad/sick today.)* J'ai mal au ventre. (My stomach hurts.)* Tu as mal compris la consigne. (You misunderstood the instruction.)* Il a du mal à se concentrer. (He has difficulty concentrating.)

The 'erroneous' or 'mistaken' – erroné/erronée

The French adjective erroné (masculine) or erronée (feminine) directly translates to 'erroneous' or 'mistaken' in English.

As an adjective, erroné/erronée must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. The plural forms are erronés (masculine plural) and erronées (feminine plural).

This term is primarily used to describe facts, data, statements, or calculations that are incorrect, flawed, or based on an error, emphasizing a deviation from accuracy or truth.

Using erroné implies that something is factually wrong or conceptually flawed, rather than simply 'not right.' It carries a slightly more formal tone than faux (false) or incorrect.

💡 * C'est une information erronée. (That's mistaken information.)

Son calcul était totalement erroné. (His calculation was totally erroneous.)

Ces données sont erronées. (This data is erroneous.)

L'hypothèse de départ était erronée. (The initial hypothesis was mistaken.)

Ne te fie pas à ces chiffres erronés. (Don't rely on these erroneous figures.)

The 'mistake' (noun) – une erreur

The "mistake" (noun) – une erreur

In French, the primary noun for "mistake" or "error" is une erreur. It's a fundamental word used to describe when something is incorrect, inaccurate, or has gone wrong.

Erreur is a feminine noun, meaning it takes feminine articles (une, la) and any accompanying adjectives will also be in their feminine form.

The most common way to express "to make a mistake" is with the verb faire, creating the essential phrase faire une erreur. This is widely used in everyday conversation.

Une erreur is a versatile term, applicable to everything from a small typo (une erreur de frappe) to a significant miscalculation or misjudgment, making it useful in various contexts.

💡 * J'ai fait une erreur dans mes calculs. (I made a mistake in my calculations.)

C'est une grave erreur. (It's a serious mistake.)

Ne répète pas la même erreur. (Don't repeat the same mistake.)

Il y a une erreur sur la facture. (There's an error on the bill.)

Reconnaître ses erreurs est important. (Admitting one's mistakes is important.)

The 'not right' or 'not correct' – ne pas être juste

The French phrase ne pas être juste literally translates to “not to be just” or “not to be right.” It's a fundamental expression used to convey that something is incorrect, unfair, or simply not fitting a standard of truth or fairness.

Most commonly, ne pas être juste indicates a factual error or an incorrect statement. If a calculation is wrong, an answer is incorrect, or a piece of information is inaccurate, this phrase is perfectly suited. It’s akin to saying 'It's not correct' or 'It's not accurate' in English.

Beyond factual errors, ne pas être juste also carries a significant nuance of unfairness or injustice. When a situation, a decision, or even a distribution of something is perceived as inequitable or morally wrong, this phrase effectively communicates that sentiment. Think 'That's not fair' or 'That's not right' in an ethical sense.

While être faux (to be false) or être incorrect (to be incorrect/improper) can also mean 'wrong,' ne pas être juste often implies a specific kind of 'rightness' – either mathematically precise, factually accurate, or morally equitable. It's less about being fake (faux) and more about not meeting a standard of correctness or fairness.

In summary, ne pas être juste is a versatile and essential phrase in French. Whether you're pointing out a factual mistake, lamenting an unfair situation, or simply stating that something doesn't feel 'right,' this expression covers a broad spectrum of 'not correct' or 'not right' scenarios.

💡 * Ta réponse n'est pas juste. (Your answer is not correct.)

Ce prix n'est pas juste. (This price is not fair.)

La décision n'était pas juste. (The decision wasn't right/fair.)

Si le calcul n'est pas juste, le résultat sera faux. (If the calculation isn't correct, the result will be wrong.)

Ce que tu dis n'est pas juste. (What you're saying isn't right/true.)

The 'to be mistaken' or 'to make a mistake' – se tromper

In French, to express the idea of 'to be mistaken' or 'to make a mistake,' you'll use the reflexive verb se tromper. This verb is fundamental for discussing errors, misunderstandings, or incorrect actions.

As a reflexive verb, se tromper requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) that agrees with the subject. It literally means 'to deceive oneself' or 'to trick oneself,' highlighting the self-implication in the mistake.

Se tromper is commonly used in various contexts, from simple errors to more significant misjudgments. It can often be followed by the preposition de when indicating what one is mistaken about, for example, se tromper de numéro (to dial the wrong number).

💡 * Je crois que tu te trompes. (I think you are mistaken.)

Nous nous sommes trompés de chemin. (We took the wrong way / We made a mistake about the way.)

Elle s'est trompée en calculant le prix. (She made a mistake when calculating the price.)

Ne vous trompez pas ! (Don't make a mistake! / Don't be mistaken!)

Il se trompe souvent dans ses estimations. (He often makes mistakes in his estimations.)

The 'way off the mark' (idiomatic) – être à côté de la plaque

The French idiom être à côté de la plaque literally translates to 'to be next to the plate', but its true meaning is 'to be way off the mark' or 'to be completely wrong'.

This expression is used when someone's answer, comment, or action is completely irrelevant, incorrect, or shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation or question. It implies a significant error in judgment or comprehension.

It's a strong way to say that someone has missed the point entirely, often used in a slightly informal context when discussing someone's poor judgment or lack of insight.

💡 *Son commentaire était complètement à côté de la plaque. (His comment was completely off the mark.)
*Tu es à côté de la plaque si tu penses que c'est la solution. (You're way off the mark if you think that's the solution.)
*Ne sois pas à côté de la plaque, le problème est bien plus complexe. (Don't be off the mark, the problem is much more complex.)
*Quand il a répondu, il était totalement à côté de la plaque. (When he answered, he was totally off the mark.)

The 'that's not it' or 'that's not right' – ce n'est pas ça

The most common and versatile way to express "that's not it" or "that's not right" in French is ce n'est pas ça.

Let's break it down: ce (it/this), n'est pas (is not), and ça (that/it). Together, it literally translates to "it is not that/it." This simple structure makes it highly adaptable to various situations.

You'll use ce n'est pas ça when someone has misunderstood something, made an incorrect statement, or presented a wrong idea. It's a direct way to correct a misconception.

This phrase is also perfect when you are presented with an object, a choice, or a solution that is not the one you intended or that is simply incorrect. For example, if someone hands you the wrong item you requested.

While ce n'est pas ça is broad, related phrases exist for specific nuances: ce n'est pas bon (it's not good, referring to quality or taste), ce n'est pas juste (it's not fair or it's not right, referring to justice or correctness in a moral sense), or ce n'est pas vrai (it's not true).

💡 *Non, ce n'est pas ça. Je voulais le livre rouge. (No, that's not it. I wanted the red book.)
*Tu penses que c'est la bonne réponse ? Non, ce n'est pas ça. (Do you think that's the right answer? No, that's not it.)
*J'ai demandé un café sans sucre. Ce n'est pas ça, il y a du sucre. (I asked for a coffee without sugar. That's not it, there's sugar.)
*Le plan que tu proposes, ce n'est pas ça. Il faut revoir la stratégie. (The plan you're proposing, that's not it. We need to review the strategy.)
*Elle a essayé de réparer l'ordinateur, mais ce n'est pas ça. (She tried to fix the computer, but that's not it/it's not right.)

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

Our list covers the most common ways to express 'wrong' in French. However, the French language, like any, is rich with nuances, including regional variations, idiomatic expressions, and evolving slang that can also convey the idea of something being incorrect or amiss.

To delve deeper, you can also explore by searching for 'comment dire faux en ___' or 'comment dire incorrect en ___' followed by a specific Francophone country or region to uncover local usages.

While exploring, you might encounter other expressions for 'wrong' or 'mistaken'. Always verify their precise meaning and observe how they are used in different contexts before incorporating them into your active vocabulary.

As you immerse yourself in French media — reading, watching, and listening — pay close attention. You'll likely discover various nuanced ways to express what is 'wrong' or 'incorrect' in natural conversation.

For further exploration of related terms or nuances of 'wrong' and 'incorrect' in French, the WordReference entries for faux and incorrect are excellent starting points for comprehensive definitions and examples.

I hope this article has clarified the various ways to express 'wrong' in French. To conclude, here's a timeless quote that reminds us of the human element in being 'wrong': "L'erreur est humaine, persévérer est diabolique." (To err is human, to persist is diabolical.)

9 ways to say "wrong" in French