"C'est vrai" is probably the first phrase that comes to mind when you want to say "it is true" in French. But, as with any language, there are many nuances and alternatives that can enrich your vocabulary and make your conversations more vibrant. Whether you're affirming a fact, agreeing with someone, or simply stating something you know to be correct, knowing a variety of expressions will make your French sound much more natural and sophisticated. Let's explore 9 different ways to express "it is true" in French, from common phrases to more formal or emphatic alternatives!

The standard and most common way: C'est vrai

C'est vrai is the most direct and widely used phrase in French to express "that's true" or "it's true."

Literally, C'est translates to "it is" or "that is," and vrai means "true." Together, they form a simple yet powerful statement of affirmation.

You'll hear and use C'est vrai constantly in everyday conversations, whether you're agreeing with someone, confirming a fact, or simply acknowledging a statement.

When someone says something you agree with, a simple C'est vrai ! is often all you need. It's equivalent to saying "That's right!" or "Indeed!"

To turn it into a question, simply add a question mark at the end, or use intonation: "C'est vrai ?" (Is that true? / Really?). You can also use the more formal inversion: "Est-ce vrai ?" (Is it true?)

To say "that's not true," you place ne before est and pas after vrai: "Ce n'est pas vrai." This is a common way to contradict or deny a statement.

C'est vrai is a highly versatile phrase that fits into almost any social context, from casual chats among friends to more formal discussions. It's the go-to expression for truth.

💡 * C'est vrai, il fait beau aujourd'hui. (That's true, the weather is nice today.)

Tu as dit qu'il arrive demain ? C'est vrai ? (You said he's arriving tomorrow? Is that true?)

Non, ce n'est pas vrai ! Je n'ai jamais dit ça. (No, that's not true! I never said that.)

Ce qu'il raconte, c'est vrai. (What he's saying, that's true.)

Il est très talentueux, c'est vrai. (He's very talented, that's true.)

The more formal way (often with 'que'): Il est vrai

To express 'it is true' in a more formal or emphatic manner in French, you will often encounter the phrase Il est vrai.

This construction is frequently followed by the conjunction que ('that'), introducing a subordinate clause that states the fact or truth being acknowledged. The structure is typically Il est vrai que + [statement/clause].

Il est vrai conveys a higher degree of formality compared to the more common and conversational C'est vrai. You'll find it more often in written French, formal speeches, or when making a considered statement.

While directly translating to 'it is true,' Il est vrai que often implies an acknowledgment of a fact, sometimes preceding a contrasting idea or a qualification. It can signal 'it is indeed true, however...' or 'admittedly, it is true that...'

Consider it a slightly more sophisticated way to affirm a reality, often used when you are about to elaborate further or introduce a different perspective.

💡 *Il est vrai que la situation est complexe. (It is true that the situation is complex.)
*Il est vrai que le film était long, mais il était captivant. (It is true that the film was long, but it was captivating.)
*Il est vrai que nous devons faire des efforts supplémentaires. (It is true that we must make additional efforts.)
*Il est vrai qu'elle a raison sur ce point. (It is true that she is right on this point.)

To state "it's the truth": C'est la vérité

To express “it’s the truth” in French, the most common and direct phrase you’ll use is C’est la vérité.

Let’s break it down: C’est means “it is,” and la vérité means “the truth.” Vérité is a feminine noun, hence the use of la.

This phrase is used when you want to affirm that something is indeed true, or to confirm a fact. It’s a straightforward declaration.

You can also use C’est la vérité to add emphasis to a statement, or to reassure someone that what you’re saying is not a lie.

While C’est la vérité is the most common, you might also hear C'est vrai (It's true) for a more general affirmation, or En vérité (In truth / Truly) at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.

💡 *Il a dit qu'il viendrait, et c'est la vérité. (He said he would come, and it's the truth.)
*Je te le jure, c'est la vérité ! (I swear to you, it's the truth!)
*Tu penses que c'est un mensonge ? Non, c'est la vérité. (Do you think it's a lie? No, it's the truth.)
*Malgré les rumeurs, c'est la vérité que le magasin va fermer. (Despite the rumors, it's the truth that the store will close.)

To say "it's correct" or "it's exact": C'est exact

To affirm something as precise, accurate, or factually right in French, you'll commonly use the phrase C'est exact.

The adjective exact (feminine exacte) means 'exact,' 'precise,' or 'accurate.' When combined with C'est (it is), it forms a direct and common expression to confirm information, especially when referring to facts or figures.

While C'est correct means 'it's right' or 'it's acceptable' in a general sense, C'est exact specifically emphasizes factual precision and accuracy. Use C'est exact when you mean 'that's precisely right' or 'that's factually accurate.'

The phrase uses the impersonal construction C'est (it is) followed by the adjective exact. This structure makes it a straightforward way to confirm information with certainty and conciseness.

💡 * L'heure du rendez-vous est 10h. C'est exact ? (The appointment time is 10 AM. Is that correct/exact?)

Oui, c'est exact. (Yes, that's exact/correct.)

Tes calculs sont exacts. (Your calculations are exact.)

C'est exact, nous avons trois réunions aujourd'hui. (That's exact, we have three meetings today.)

To affirm "it's right": C'est juste

To affirm "it's right": C'est juste

In French, the phrase C'est juste is a common and direct way to affirm that something is correct, accurate, or right.

You'll hear C'est juste frequently in conversations when agreeing with someone, confirming a piece of information, or validating a statement. It's an essential phrase for expressing concurrence.

While similar to C'est vrai (it's true), C'est juste often implies a correctness based on logic, facts, or agreement with a specific point, rather than a universal truth. Think of it as 'that's accurate' or 'that's spot on'.

Grammatically, juste here functions as an adjective modifying the impersonal pronoun ce (it), meaning 'right' or 'correct'. It remains singular and masculine in this common construction.

It's a versatile phrase for simple confirmation. When someone states something and you want to confirm its accuracy, a simple C'est juste works perfectly in most informal and formal contexts.

💡 * "Deux plus deux, ça fait quatre." "Oui, c'est juste." (Two plus two is four. Yes, that's right.)

"Alors, le rendez-vous est à 10h demain ?" "C'est juste." (So, the appointment is at 10 AM tomorrow? That's right.)

"Si je comprends bien, il faut tourner à droite ici ?" "C'est juste." (If I understand correctly, we need to turn right here? That's right.)

"Ton analyse de la situation est tout à fait juste." (Your analysis of the situation is absolutely right.)

"Ce n'est pas juste de dire ça." (It's not right to say that.)

To confirm "indeed" or "effectively": Effectivement

The French adverb effectivement is a versatile word primarily used to express confirmation or agreement, often translating to "indeed," "actually," "that's right," or "effectively" (in the sense of confirming a fact).

Effectivement is frequently employed to confirm something that has just been stated or is evident. It adds a layer of certainty and emphasis to an affirmation, acknowledging the truth or accuracy of a previous statement or observation.

Beyond simple confirmation, effectivement can also convey agreement, often implying "you are correct" or "that is indeed the case." It acknowledges that a point made by someone else is valid, sometimes with a nuance of "as expected" or "as you've pointed out."

While oui is a simple "yes," effectivement is stronger and more formal. It confirms not just agreement, but the factuality or truth of what is being discussed. It's a way of saying, "Yes, that is truly the situation," or "That is demonstrably true."

Be cautious not to confuse effectivement with the English "effectively" when it means "efficiently" or "successfully." In French, effectivement almost exclusively focuses on confirming truth or fact, not on the manner in which something is done. For efficiency, you'd typically use words like efficacement.

💡 * « Il fait froid aujourd'hui, n'est-ce pas ? » – « Effectivement, j'ai dû mettre mon gros manteau. » (It's cold today, isn't it? – Indeed, I had to put on my thick coat.)

« Le train est en retard ? » – « Effectivement, il y a un problème sur la ligne. » (The train is late? – Indeed, there's a problem on the line.)

« C'est un travail difficile. » – « Effectivement, ça demande beaucoup de patience. » (It's a difficult job. – Indeed, it requires a lot of patience.)

« Tu pensais qu'il viendrait ? » – « Effectivement, il est là. » (You thought he would come? – Indeed, he's here.)

To express "of course": Bien sûr

To express the phrase “of course” in French, the most common and direct translation is bien sûr.

Literally meaning “well sure” or “quite sure,” bien sûr is used to affirm something with certainty, convey agreement, or indicate that something is obvious or expected.

It can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, often followed by a comma when it introduces a clause, or simply as a standalone response. You might also hear "bien sûr que oui" (of course yes) or "bien sûr que non" (of course no) for stronger emphasis.

💡 * Bien sûr, je peux vous aider. (Of course, I can help you.)

Tu viens avec nous? Bien sûr! (Are you coming with us? Of course!)

Il est très talentueux, bien sûr. (He is very talented, of course.)

Est-ce que tu as faim? Bien sûr que oui! (Are you hungry? Of course I am!)

Nous serons là à l'heure, bien sûr. (We will be there on time, of course.)

To emphasize "without a doubt": Sans aucun doute

To strongly emphasize that something is "without a doubt" or "undoubtedly" true in French, the phrase sans aucun doute is your go-to expression.

Literally translating to "without any doubt," this idiom conveys absolute certainty and leaves no room for questioning the statement it modifies. It's a powerful way to affirm a fact or opinion.

You can place sans aucun doute at the beginning or end of a sentence, or even within it, depending on what you want to emphasize. It acts as an adverbial phrase, modifying the entire statement.

While sans aucun doute expresses absolute certainty, you might also hear the shorter sans doute. Be aware that sans doute can sometimes imply "probably" or "most likely" rather than "without a doubt," though context often clarifies its meaning. For unequivocal certainty, stick with the full phrase.

💡 * Sans aucun doute, c'est la meilleure solution. (Without a doubt, it's the best solution.)

Elle réussira son examen, sans aucun doute. (She will pass her exam, without a doubt.)

C'est sans aucun doute le plus beau paysage que j'aie jamais vu. (It is undoubtedly the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen.)

Nous irons au concert ce soir, sans aucun doute. (We will go to the concert tonight, without a doubt.)

To strongly agree with "absolutely": Absolument

The French word for "absolutely" is Absolument. It is an adverb used to express strong agreement, certainty, or to emphasize a statement.

When you want to convey a powerful "yes" or "definitely," Absolument is your go-to word. It signifies a complete and utter agreement without any doubt.

One of the most common ways to use Absolument is as a standalone answer to a question. It serves as an emphatic "Absolutely!" or "Definitely!" in conversation.

Beyond a simple 'yes,' Absolument can also be placed within a sentence to intensify a verb, an adjective, or an entire statement, adding a layer of strong conviction. For example, to say something is "absolutely beautiful" you would say "absolument magnifique."

While oui means 'yes,' Absolument provides a much stronger affirmation. Conversely, for a strong negative, you can use Absolument pas! meaning "Absolutely not!" or "No way!"

💡 * "Tu es d'accord avec cette idée ?" "Absolument !" (Do you agree with this idea? Absolutely!)

C'est absolument nécessaire de réviser. (It is absolutely necessary to revise.)

J'aime absolument ce nouveau restaurant. (I absolutely love this new restaurant.)

Il faut absolument que tu voies ce film. (You absolutely must see this movie.)

"Vous voulez venir avec nous ?" "Absolument pas !" (Do you want to come with us? Absolutely not!)

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

Our list features the most common ways to say 'it is true' in French. However, the French language is rich with expressions, and you might encounter other phrases, some more formal, some more colloquial, and some specific to certain contexts or regions.

To delve deeper, you can also search online for 'autres façons de dire c'est vrai en français' or explore specific contexts like 'expressions de certitude formelles' or 'argot pour dire c'est vrai'.

While exploring, always verify the meaning and nuance of new expressions. Pay attention to how native speakers use them in different situations to ensure you use them appropriately.

Immerse yourself in French media — books, films, podcasts, and conversations. You'll naturally pick up on various ways to express agreement and truth, expanding your vocabulary beyond the basics.

For a comprehensive look at synonyms and related expressions, a good French dictionary like Larousse or a reliable online resource like WordReference for 'vrai' can provide valuable insights into its various uses and associated phrases.

I hope this article has helped you understand the nuances of saying 'it is true' in French. Remember, mastering these expressions is a step towards sounding more natural. As the philosopher René Descartes famously said, 'Je pense, donc je suis' (I think, therefore I am) – a statement of undeniable truth!

9 ways to say "it is true" in French