When you want to state that something isn't true in French, 'C'est faux' is likely the first phrase that comes to mind. While perfectly valid, the French language, rich in nuance, offers a surprising number of ways to express the concept of 'it is false' or similar ideas.

Expanding your vocabulary beyond the basics allows you to communicate with greater precision and sound more like a native speaker. Knowing these alternatives can help you convey different shades of doubt, disagreement, or outright untruth.

So, let's explore 9 distinct and useful ways to say "it is false" in French, adding depth and authenticity to your conversations!

The standard 'it is false' – C'est faux

The phrase C'est faux is the most common and direct way to express 'it is false' or 'that's wrong' in French.

It's composed of C'est (a contraction of Ce est, meaning 'it is' or 'that is') and the adjective faux, meaning 'false' or 'wrong'.

You use C'est faux to declare that a statement, a piece of information, or a situation is incorrect or untrue. It's a definitive assertion of falsehood.

Unlike some adjectives, faux in the C'est faux construction always remains in its masculine singular form. This is because C' refers to an abstract idea or a general situation, which is treated as neutral, not a specific masculine or feminine noun. For example, you would say La réponse est fausse (The answer is false) for a feminine noun, but C'est faux for the overall statement.

It's important to distinguish C'est faux from Il est faux (or Elle est fausse). While C'est faux refers to a general statement or situation, il est faux/elle est fausse refers to a specific masculine or feminine noun. For instance, Ce document est faux (This document is false) uses faux to describe the masculine noun 'document', but C'est faux to say 'That's false' about a general claim.

C'est faux is quite direct and can sometimes be perceived as blunt, especially in a formal setting or when correcting someone. A slightly softer alternative, often interchangeable, is Ce n'est pas vrai ('That's not true').

While often interchangeable, C'est faux tends to imply a more objective or factual incorrectness, whereas Ce n'est pas vrai might sometimes carry a slight nuance of disbelief or personal disagreement, though this is subtle and context-dependent.

This phrase is widely used in everyday conversations, debates, and any situation where the truthfulness of a statement needs to be challenged or denied.

💡 * Tu as dit que le magasin est ouvert, mais c'est faux, il est fermé. (You said the store is open, but that's false, it's closed.)

L'idée que la terre est plate ? Ah non, c'est faux ! (The idea that the earth is flat? Oh no, that's false!)

Il a affirmé que j'étais en retard, mais c'est faux, j'étais à l'heure. (He claimed I was late, but that's false, I was on time.)

Si tu penses que c'est facile, c'est faux. (If you think it's easy, that's wrong.)

Beaucoup de rumeurs circulent, mais c'est faux de dire ça. (Many rumors are circulating, but it's false to say that.)

The common 'it is not true' – Ce n'est pas vrai

The phrase Ce n'est pas vrai literally translates to 'It is not true' or 'That is not true' and is one of the most straightforward ways to express disbelief or to state that something is false in French.

You'll frequently hear Ce n'est pas vrai used as an exclamation of disbelief, similar to 'No way!' or 'You're kidding!' in English. It conveys surprise or shock at a statement.

Beyond expressing surprise, it's also used to directly contradict a statement, confirming that the information presented is incorrect or fabricated. For instance, if someone spreads a rumor, you'd use this phrase to deny it.

While Ce n'est pas vrai is common, you might also hear C'est faux ('It's false'), which is a more direct and less exclamatory way to state something is untrue. Ce n'est pas vrai often carries a stronger emotional tone.

This phrase is a fundamental part of everyday French conversation, essential for expressing disagreement, surprise, or simply correcting misinformation. Mastering it will greatly enhance your communicative abilities.

💡 * Il a dit qu'il avait vu un fantôme ! Ce n'est pas vrai ! (He said he saw a ghost! That's not true!)

Tu as gagné à la loterie ? Ce n'est pas vrai ! (You won the lottery? No way!)

Le professeur a dit que l'examen est demain. Non, ce n'est pas vrai, c'est la semaine prochaine. (The teacher said the exam is tomorrow. No, that's not true, it's next week.)

Les rumeurs sur elle ? Ce n'est pas vrai du tout. (The rumors about her? That's not true at all.)

Elle a dit qu'elle était malade, mais ce n'est pas vrai, elle est sortie. (She said she was sick, but that's not true, she went out.)

The formal 'it is inaccurate' – C'est inexact

When you need to express that something is not precise, correct, or entirely true in a formal context, the French phrase you'll often encounter is C'est inexact.

The adjective inexact directly translates to 'inaccurate,' 'imprecise,' or 'not exact.' Therefore, C'est inexact means 'It is inaccurate' or 'That is inaccurate.'

This phrase is typically reserved for formal discussions, professional settings, official reports, or written communication where precision and a neutral, objective tone are paramount. It implies a lack of exactness or a slight deviation from the truth, rather than a deliberate falsehood.

While C'est faux means 'It is false' and Ce n'est pas correct means 'It is not correct,' C'est inexact specifically emphasizes the lack of accuracy or precision. It's a more nuanced way to express disagreement or correction, suggesting a factual error rather than a complete fabrication.

The structure C'est (It is/That is) followed by the adjective inexact is straightforward. Inexact agrees in gender and number if it were referring to a specific noun (e.g., une information inexacte - an inaccurate piece of information), but with C'est, it remains in the masculine singular form as it refers to a general situation or statement.

Using C'est inexact conveys a polite yet firm correction, suitable for situations where maintaining decorum is important. It's less confrontational than outright saying C'est faux.

💡 * Dire que le projet est terminé, c'est inexact. (To say the project is finished, that is inaccurate.)

Je dois vous corriger : cette statistique est inexacte. (I must correct you: this statistic is inaccurate.)

Selon nos vérifications, cette affirmation est inexacte. (According to our checks, this statement is inaccurate.)

Non, ce n'est pas exact, c'est inexact. (No, that's not exact, it's inaccurate.)

The more formal 'it is erroneous' – C'est erroné

The phrase C'est erroné directly translates to 'It is erroneous' or 'It is incorrect'. It's used to state that something is wrong or mistaken.

While C'est faux also means 'It is false' or 'It is wrong', C'est erroné carries a more formal and precise tone. It's often found in academic, professional, or official contexts where a strong, unambiguous, and polite correction is needed.

Using C'est erroné suggests that there's a mistake in reasoning, a factual inaccuracy, or a misunderstanding, rather than a simple falsehood. It implies a more considered judgment of incorrectness.

💡 * C'est erroné de penser que tous les problèmes ont une solution simple. (It is erroneous to think that all problems have a simple solution.)

Non, ce n'est pas exact, c'est erroné. (No, that's not exact, it's erroneous.)

C'est erroné de croire que le passé ne nous affecte pas. (It is erroneous to believe that the past doesn't affect us.)

Affirmer cela sans preuves concrètes, c'est erroné. (To state that without concrete proof, it is erroneous.)

The stronger 'it is deceitful' – C'est mensonger

While c'est faux simply means 'it is false,' c'est mensonger carries a much stronger implication: 'it is deceitful' or 'it is a lie.' It suggests an intent to mislead.

This phrase goes beyond a simple factual error. It highlights that the information presented is not only untrue but also deliberately fabricated or presented in a way to mislead someone.

You would use c'est mensonger when you want to emphasize the malicious or dishonest nature of a statement, rather than just its inaccuracy. It's often used in more serious contexts, such as exposing propaganda, false advertising, or deliberate misrepresentations.

Think of it this way: if someone says '2+2=5,' you'd say 'c'est faux.' But if a politician makes a statement they know is untrue to gain votes, you'd say 'c'est mensonger.

Using c'est mensonger conveys a stronger sense of indignation and condemnation than c'est faux. It's a more formal and impactful way to call out a lie.

💡 * Le rapport qu'ils ont publié est complètement mensonger. (The report they published is completely deceitful.)

Ses promesses électorales se sont avérées mensongères. (His electoral promises turned out to be deceitful.)

C'est mensonger de dire que le produit est 100% naturel quand il contient des additifs. (It's deceitful to say the product is 100% natural when it contains additives.)

Ne croyez pas ces informations, c'est mensonger. (Don't believe this information, it's deceitful.)

The 'counter-truth' (a deliberate untruth) – C'est une contre-vérité

The French term contre-vérité literally translates to 'counter-truth.' It refers to a statement or assertion that is presented as factual but is, in reality, a deliberate untruth or a distortion of facts. It's more than just a simple mistake; it implies an intentional misrepresentation.

While similar to a lie (mensonge) or an error (erreur), a contre-vérité carries a stronger connotation of calculated deception. An erreur is an accidental mistake, and a mensonge is a direct falsehood. A contre-vérité is a statement knowingly presented as true despite being false, often with the aim of misleading an audience or manipulating public opinion. It's a formal and often critical way to describe a factual inaccuracy that is believed to be intentional.

You'll frequently encounter the term contre-vérité in formal discourse, particularly in politics, journalism, and debates. It's a powerful rhetorical tool used by speakers to discredit an opponent's claims, implying that the opponent is not merely mistaken but is deliberately spreading falsehoods. For example, a politician might say, 'C'est une contre-vérité que de prétendre que...' (It is a counter-truth to claim that...).

Using the phrase c'est une contre-vérité is a serious accusation. It suggests that the person making the statement is fully aware that what they are saying is false and is intentionally trying to deceive. It highlights a calculated attempt to distort reality for a specific purpose, rather than an honest misunderstanding or an accidental misstatement. It elevates the accusation beyond simple disagreement to one of deliberate intellectual dishonesty.

💡 * Cette affirmation est une pure contre-vérité, basée sur des faits erronés. (This assertion is a pure counter-truth, based on erroneous facts.)

Le ministre a dénoncé la contre-vérité diffusée par l'opposition. (The minister denounced the counter-truth spread by the opposition.)

Il ne s'agit pas d'une erreur, mais d'une contre-vérité manifeste. (It's not an error, but a manifest counter-truth.)

Qualifier cela de 'contre-vérité' est une accusation grave dans ce contexte. (To call that a 'counter-truth' is a serious accusation in this context.)

The 'baseless' statement – C'est dénué de fondement

To describe a statement as 'baseless' or 'unfounded' in French, you'll often hear the phrase C'est dénué de fondement.

This expression is used to emphatically dismiss an assertion, rumor, or claim that lacks any factual basis or evidence. It conveys a strong sense of disbelief or rejection of the statement's validity.

Breaking it down, dénué means 'devoid of' or 'lacking,' while fondement translates to 'foundation' or 'basis.' So, literally, it means 'It is devoid of foundation.'

💡 * Ces accusations sont totalement dénuées de fondement. (These accusations are totally baseless.)

Le journaliste a affirmé que l'information était dénuée de tout fondement. (The journalist stated that the information was entirely without foundation.)

Elle a jugé ces rumeurs dénuées de fondement et a refusé d'y répondre. (She judged these rumors to be baseless and refused to respond to them.)

Son argument est dénué de fondement logique. (His argument lacks logical foundation.)

The 'absurdity' – C'est une aberration

The phrase C'est une aberration literally translates to 'It's an aberration.' It's a strong way to express that something is an absurdity, a gross deviation from what is logical, normal, or acceptable.

This expression is used to convey a deep sense of disbelief, shock, or indignation at something profoundly illogical or wrong. It's not just 'a mistake,' but a fundamental error in judgment or a shocking anomaly.

It carries a much stronger impact than simply saying 'C'est ridicule' (It's ridiculous) or 'C'est illogique' (It's illogical). Use it when you want to highlight a situation or idea as truly preposterous or an unacceptable deviation.

💡 * C'est une aberration de penser qu'on peut résoudre ce problème sans effort. (It's an absurdity to think we can solve this problem without effort.)* Permettre cela serait une aberration. (To allow that would be an absurdity/an anomaly.)* Leur décision est une aberration totale. (Their decision is a total absurdity.)* Considérer cette solution comme viable est une aberration. (To consider this solution viable is an absurdity.)

The informal 'rubbish/nonsense' – C'est de la foutaise

How do you say 'it's rubbish' or 'it's nonsense' in informal French?

The most common and informal way to say 'it's rubbish' or 'it's nonsense' in French is: C'est de la foutaise.

Foutaise is a feminine noun that translates to 'rubbish,' 'bunk,' or 'nonsense.' So, C'est de la foutaise literally means 'It's of the rubbish/nonsense,' signifying something utterly worthless or untrue.

This phrase is highly informal and is used to express strong disbelief, contempt, or exasperation towards an idea, statement, or situation. It's perfect for dismissing something as completely bogus or unfounded.

💡 *Ce qu'il dit, c'est de la foutaise. (What he's saying is rubbish.)
*Leurs promesses électorales? C'est de la foutaise! (Their electoral promises? It's nonsense!)
*Tu crois vraiment à cette histoire? Mais c'est de la foutaise! (Do you really believe that story? But it's bunk!)
*Arrête de raconter n'importe quoi, c'est de la foutaise. (Stop talking nonsense, it's rubbish.)

Are there other ways to say 'it is false' in French?

Are there other ways to say ‘it is false’ in French?

Our list has covered the most common and direct ways to express 'it is false' in French. However, the French language, like any other, is rich with nuances, from informal expressions to more formal or regional variations.

To delve deeper, you could perform an online search for phrases like 'synonymes de faux' or 'expressions pour dire que c'est incorrect en français'.

When you encounter new expressions for 'it is false,' always verify their meaning and observe how native speakers use them in different contexts to ensure appropriate usage.

As you immerse yourself in French media — reading, watching, and listening — pay close attention to how speakers and writers convey falsehoods or disagreements. You'll likely pick up subtle and interesting alternatives.

For a comprehensive exploration of synonyms and related terms, the WordReference entry for faux can be an invaluable starting point.

I hope this article has helped you navigate the various ways to express 'it is false' in French. Understanding these distinctions is key to clear and nuanced communication. As you continue your French journey, remember that discerning truth from falsehood is a skill as important in language as it is in life.

9 ways to say "it is false" in French