When discussing a topic in French, 'à propos de' is often the first phrase that comes to mind. And while it's a perfectly good option, the French language offers a wonderful array of expressions to talk 'about' something with more nuance and precision! Learning these alternatives will help you sound more natural and sophisticated in your conversations. Let's explore 9 effective ways to say 'about' in French and broaden your vocabulary!

The standard 'about' or 'regarding' – à propos de

À propos de is a fundamental French phrase meaning 'about' or 'regarding'. It's highly versatile and commonly used in both spoken and written French.

Breaking it down, propos in French relates to a 'subject' or 'purpose'. So, à propos de literally translates to something like 'on the subject of' or 'concerning'.

Its most frequent use is to introduce the topic of discussion, a book, an idea, or an event. It sets the stage for what is being talked about, similar to 'concerning' or 'in reference to'.

While versatile for everyday conversation, à propos de can also lend a slightly more formal or precise tone, especially when used to mean 'regarding' in official communications or serious discussions.

Keep an eye out for related expressions: à ce propos (on that subject, by the way) and à tout propos (about everything, often implying someone who talks or complains incessantly).

While de (as in parler de) and sur (as in un livre sur) can sometimes translate to 'about', à propos de often feels more natural and precise when you mean 'concerning the matter of' or 'on the subject of', emphasizing a direct relevance to the topic at hand.

As with many French phrases, context is your best guide. You'll quickly develop an ear for when à propos de is the most appropriate choice to convey 'about' or 'regarding' clearly and naturally.

💡 * Nous avons parlé à propos du film. (We talked about the movie.)

Qu'est-ce que tu penses à propos de cette idée ? (What do you think about this idea?)

J'ai une question à propos de votre dernier e-mail. (I have a question regarding your last email.)

Il se plaint à tout propos. (He complains about everything.)

À ce propos, je voulais te dire quelque chose. (On that subject, I wanted to tell you something.)

The formal 'concerning' – concernant

In French, when you need to express 'concerning,' 'regarding,' or 'about' in a more formal context, the word you're looking for is concernant.

Concernant is primarily used as a preposition, though it originates from the present participle of the verb concerner (to concern). It introduces the subject or topic being addressed with precision.

You'll frequently encounter concernant in official documents, business correspondence, academic papers, and formal emails. It lends a precise and professional tone to written communication, signaling a direct focus on the subject.

While less common in everyday conversation, concernant is appropriate in formal spoken settings, such as presentations, debates, or official meetings, where clarity, conciseness, and a formal register are expected.

Unlike more casual alternatives like à propos de or au sujet de, concernant often feels more direct and impactful, especially when introducing a specific point. It's a succinct way to pivot to a new topic without ambiguity.

Concernant typically precedes the noun or pronoun it refers to, acting as a clear signpost for the topic that follows. For example, Concernant votre question, voici la réponse. (Regarding your question, here is the answer.)

💡 * Concernant votre demande, nous vous enverrons une réponse détaillée bientôt. (Concerning your request, we will send you a detailed reply soon.)

J'ai quelques doutes concernant la nouvelle politique. (I have some doubts regarding the new policy.)

Le rapport concernant l'impact environnemental a été publié hier. (The report concerning the environmental impact was published yesterday.)

Ils ont eu une discussion animée concernant les dépenses du projet. (They had a lively discussion regarding the project expenses.)

Concernant les horaires, veuillez consulter le tableau d'affichage. (Regarding the schedules, please consult the notice board.)

The 'on the subject of' – au sujet de

When you want to express 'on the subject of,' 'regarding,' or 'about' something in French, the phrase au sujet de is a common and versatile choice.

Au sujet de literally translates to 'on the subject of' and is always followed by a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase. It functions as a prepositional phrase, similar to 'about' or 'concerning' in English.

This phrase is widely used in both spoken and written French, suitable for most contexts. It's generally considered neutral to slightly formal, making it appropriate for reports, discussions, or formal letters without being overly stiff.

While similar in meaning to à propos de ('about,' 'concerning') and concernant ('regarding'), au sujet de often implies a more direct or specific focus on a particular topic. À propos de can sometimes also mean 'by the way' or 'speaking of,' which au sujet de does not.

You'll frequently encounter au sujet de when discussing reports, meetings, conversations, or any situation where a specific topic is being addressed. It helps to clearly state what the discussion or information pertains to.

💡 * J'ai une question au sujet de votre proposition. (I have a question about your proposal.)

Nous avons parlé au sujet de ses projets de voyage. (We talked about his travel plans.)

Le rapport est au sujet des nouvelles découvertes scientifiques. (The report is on the subject of new scientific discoveries.)

Elle a écrit un article au sujet de l'impact climatique. (She wrote an article regarding the climate impact.)

The 'as for' or 'regarding' (often at the beginning of a sentence) – quant à

The French expression quant à translates to 'as for' or 'regarding' in English.

It is primarily used to introduce a new subject, a contrasting idea, or to shift focus to a different person or thing within a sentence or discourse.

Quant à is always followed by a noun, a stressed pronoun (like moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux, elles), or an infinitive verb.

While it can appear mid-sentence, quant à is very commonly found at the beginning of a clause or sentence to clearly delineate the shift in subject or focus.

💡 * Quant à Jean, il est parti. (As for Jean, he left.)

Quant à moi, je suis d'accord. (As for me, I agree.)

Les autres ont protesté; quant à lui, il est resté silencieux. (The others protested; as for him, he remained silent.)

Quant à savoir s'il viendra, c'est une autre question. (As for knowing if he will come, that's another question.)

The 'regarding' or 'relative to' – relativement à

The 'regarding' or 'relative to' – relativement à

Relativement à is a French prepositional phrase that translates to "regarding," "relative to," or "concerning." It's used to introduce a topic or an aspect about which something is being stated.

This phrase is generally used in more formal or administrative contexts, or when you want to express a precise relationship between two elements. It adds a nuanced sense of comparison or relation.

Grammatically, relativement à functions as a compound preposition. It is invariable and is always followed by a noun or a pronoun, making the phrase act as a complement of relation.

While similar to concernant (concerning) or quant à (as for), relativement à often implies a comparison or a specific connection. For instance, "This is good relativement à the previous results" suggests a judgment based on a comparison.

Use relativement à when you need to specify the exact scope or reference point of your statement, particularly when discussing proportions, comparisons, or specific aspects of a subject.

💡 * Relativement à votre demande, nous avons pris une décision. (Regarding your request, we have made a decision.)

La situation est stable relativement à la semaine dernière. (The situation is stable relative to last week.)

Il a fait des progrès significatifs relativement à ses objectifs initiaux. (He made significant progress relative to his initial objectives.)

Relativement à la question du financement, nous devons discuter des options. (Regarding the question of funding, we need to discuss the options.)

The more formal 'touching upon' – touchant

The French word touchant is the present participle of the verb toucher (to touch). While its literal meaning relates to physical contact or emotional impact, it also serves a more formal and sophisticated function, often translating to "touching upon," "concerning," or "regarding."

In formal contexts, especially in written documents, reports, or academic discussions, touchant is used to introduce a subject that is being addressed or referred to. It provides an elegant way to specify the scope or relevance of a statement without being as direct as concernant (concerning) or à propos de (about).

When used in this sense, touchant functions as a preposition and is typically followed directly by a noun or a noun phrase. It remains invariable, meaning it does not agree in gender or number with the noun it modifies, unlike when touchant is used as an adjective (meaning 'moving' or 'touching').

Using touchant adds a layer of formality and a slightly more literary tone to your French. It implies that the information or discussion directly impacts or is highly relevant to the specified topic, often suggesting a deeper connection than simpler prepositions might convey. It's a hallmark of polished French expression.

Employ touchant when you want to elevate your language in formal reports, legal documents, academic papers, or refined speeches. It is less common in everyday spoken French, where simpler phrases like concernant or au sujet de are preferred. Mastering touchant demonstrates a nuanced understanding of French formality.

💡 *La discussion, touchant les réformes éducatives, a été très animée. (The discussion, touching upon educational reforms, was very lively.)
*Nous avons reçu des informations importantes touchant l'avenir de l'entreprise. (We received important information regarding the future of the company.)
*Le rapport, touchant les aspects financiers, sera publié demain. (The report, concerning the financial aspects, will be published tomorrow.)
*Toute question touchant ce sujet doit être adressée au directeur. (Any question touching upon this subject must be addressed to the director.)
*Les mesures touchant la sécurité nationale ont été renforcées. (The measures concerning national security have been reinforced.)

The 'as far as… is concerned' – en ce qui concerne

The French phrase en ce qui concerne is a versatile expression used to mean 'as far as… is concerned,' 'regarding,' or 'concerning.' It’s an excellent way to introduce a specific topic or aspect within a conversation or written piece.

This phrase is typically followed by a noun or a pronoun, indicating the subject or person being referred to. It helps to narrow the focus and specify what aspect of a broader discussion is being addressed.

En ce qui concerne is a common and slightly formal way to transition between ideas, allowing you to shift focus to a particular point without abruptness. It's widely used in both spoken and written French.

💡 * En ce qui concerne le dîner, je pense que nous devrions commander une pizza. (As far as dinner is concerned, I think we should order a pizza.)

En ce qui concerne ton projet, as-tu besoin d'aide ? (Regarding your project, do you need help?)

En ce qui concerne la météo, il fera beau ce week-end. (As far as the weather is concerned, it will be nice this weekend.)

En ce qui concerne l'économie, la situation reste incertaine. (Regarding the economy, the situation remains uncertain.)

En ce qui concerne moi, je suis d'accord avec cette proposition. (As far as I'm concerned, I agree with this proposal.)

The 'as for what concerns' – pour ce qui est de

The French phrase pour ce qui est de literally means 'as for what is of' but is commonly translated as 'as for what concerns,' 'regarding,' or 'concerning.'

It's used to introduce a new topic, a specific aspect of a previously mentioned subject, or to shift focus to a particular detail. It acts as a prepositional phrase and is typically followed by a noun, pronoun, or an infinitive verb.

This expression is generally considered formal and precise, making it suitable for written communication or more structured discussions. It helps to clearly delineate different points or subjects.

💡 * Pour ce qui est de l'argent, nous n'avons pas de problèmes. (As for the money, we have no problems.)

Pour ce qui est de manger, je préfère la cuisine italienne. (As for eating, I prefer Italian cuisine.)

Pour ce qui est de son avis, je ne suis pas d'accord. (As for his opinion, I don't agree.)

Nous avons discuté de tout. Pour ce qui est de l'avenir, rien n'est encore décidé. (We discussed everything. As for the future, nothing is decided yet.)

The simple 'on' (often for books, films, discussions) – sur

When you want to express 'on' or 'about' in the sense of a subject or topic, especially in relation to books, films, articles, or discussions, the most straightforward French preposition to use is sur.

Sur is perfectly suited to indicate what something is about or on the subject of. It directly links the item (book, film, discussion) to its content or theme. Think of it as answering the question 'What is it about?'

You'll frequently encounter sur in phrases like un livre sur... (a book about...), un film sur... (a film about...), une conférence sur... (a conference on...), or discuter sur... (to discuss on/about...). It's the go-to for specifying the theme.

While à propos de also means 'about,' sur is generally more direct and common when referring to the specific topic or content of a work or discussion. À propos de can sometimes feel a bit more general or introduce a related, but not central, subject.

The simplicity of sur makes it incredibly versatile. For most contexts where you'd say 'on' or 'about' to refer to a topic, whether it's an abstract concept, a historical event, or a personal experience, sur is your best and most natural choice in French.

💡 * J'ai lu un excellent livre sur l'histoire de France. (I read an excellent book on/about the history of France.)

Ce film est basé sur une histoire vraie. (This film is based on a true story.)

Nous avons eu une longue discussion sur la politique actuelle. (We had a long discussion on/about current politics.)

Elle a écrit un article sur l'impact du changement climatique. (She wrote an article on/about the impact of climate change.)

Le professeur a donné une conférence sur la philosophie grecque. (The professor gave a lecture on Greek philosophy.)

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

Our article has covered the most common and versatile ways to express 'about' in French, focusing on phrases like à propos de, environ, and vers. However, the French language is rich with nuances, and there are indeed many other expressions that convey a similar idea, often with more specific connotations.

To explore further, you can look into specific verbs or prepositions that inherently carry the meaning of 'about' in certain contexts. For instance, verbs like concerner (to concern/be about) or prepositions like sur (on/about, in some cases) can be used.

When encountering new expressions for 'about,' pay close attention to the context. A direct translation might not always be appropriate. Always verify the specific meaning and usage in a reliable dictionary or by observing native speakers.

The best way to master these nuances is through immersion. As you read French books, watch French films, and listen to French conversations, you'll naturally pick up on how different phrases for 'about' are used in various situations.

For a comprehensive list of synonyms and contextual examples, online dictionaries like WordReference or Larousse are excellent resources. Search for à propos de, environ, or even the English 'about' to see a wide range of French equivalents.

I hope this article has helped clarify the various ways to say 'about' in French. Remember, precision in language comes with practice and observation. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wisely said, "Le langage est source de malentendus." (Language is the source of misunderstandings.) Strive for clarity!

9 ways to say "about" (topic) in French