When you want to talk about a "result" in French, the first word that likely comes to mind is le résultat. While this is often the perfect choice, the French language offers a rich palette of alternatives, each with its own specific nuance and context.

Whether you're discussing the outcome of an election, the consequences of a decision, or the findings of a scientific report, using the right word can make your French sound much more precise and natural.

Let's explore 9 different ways to say "result" and see how you can use them to enrich your vocabulary!

The standard 'result' – le résultat

The standard 'result' – le résultat

Le résultat is the most direct and common French word for 'result'. It functions almost identically to its English counterpart.

This is a key grammar point: résultat is a masculine noun. Therefore, you always use masculine articles and adjectives with it.

• Singular: le résultat (the result) / un résultat (a result)
• Plural: les résultats (the results) / des résultats (some results)

You can use résultat in a wide variety of contexts, from scientific experiments and sports scores to exam grades and business outcomes. It's a versatile word suitable for both formal and informal situations.

The word résultat is directly related to the verb résulter (de), which means 'to result (from)'. For example, you might see: Le succès résulte d'un travail acharné. (Success results from hard work).

A few common phrases will make you sound more natural:

• le résultat final: the final result
• en résultat: as a result
• sans résultat: without result, unsuccessful

💡 * Quel est le résultat du match ? (What is the result of the game?)

• J'attends les résultats de mon examen médical. (I'm waiting for the results of my medical exam.)
• Le résultat de son effort était impressionnant. (The result of his effort was impressive.)
• Nous avons analysé les résultats de l'enquête. (We analyzed the results of the survey.)

The 'outcome' or 'consequence' – la conséquence

The 'outcome' or 'consequence' – la conséquence

A straightforward and common way to talk about an outcome in French is by using the direct cognate, la conséquence. It refers to the result or effect that follows an action or a condition, just like its English counterpart.

This noun is incredibly versatile and fits well in both formal and informal settings. It's the go-to word when you want to emphasize a clear cause-and-effect relationship between an event and what follows.

While la conséquence can be neutral, it often implies a significant, and sometimes negative, result. The plural form, les conséquences, is frequently used to discuss the repercussions or fallout of a decision, as in the common phrase assumer les conséquences (to face the consequences).

You'll often hear conséquence in fixed expressions. For instance, the adverbial phrase en conséquence means 'accordingly' or 'as a result,' and it's used to link a decision or action logically to its outcome.

It's helpful to compare la conséquence with le résultat. Le résultat is often more neutral and factual, like the score of a game (le résultat du match). La conséquence, on the other hand, implies a logical succession and often carries more weight.

💡 * La pollution de l'air est une conséquence directe de l'industrialisation.

• Si tu ne fais pas tes devoirs, il y aura des conséquences.
• Il a étudié sérieusement et, en conséquence, il a réussi son examen.
• Chaque choix dans la vie a ses propres conséquences.
• Il a refusé d'écouter les avertissements et doit maintenant en subir les conséquences.

The 'effect' or 'impact' – l'effet

A straightforward and useful French noun is l'effet, which translates directly to 'the effect' or 'the impact'.

As a direct cognate, l'effet is relatively easy for English speakers to remember. Its usage often parallels English, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary for discussing consequences or results.

L'effet is a masculine noun. The singular form is un effet or l'effet, and the plural form is les effets.

One of the most common phrases you'll encounter is en effet, which means 'indeed,' 'in fact,' or 'actually.' It's a versatile expression used to confirm or elaborate on a previous statement.

Beyond its primary meaning, l'effet is used in various contexts, such as l'effet secondaire (the side effect), l'effet de serre (the greenhouse effect), and les effets spéciaux (special effects).

💡 * L'effet du médicament a été immédiat. (The effect of the medicine was immediate.)

• Le réchauffement climatique est causé par l'effet de serre. (Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect.)
• En effet, tu avais raison depuis le début. (Indeed, you were right from the beginning.)
• Ce film a des effets spéciaux incroyables. (This movie has incredible special effects.)

The 'conclusion' or 'outcome' of an event – l'issue

The French noun l'issue (feminine) translates to the 'outcome,' 'conclusion,' or 'result' of a situation, event, or conflict. It refers to the final way something turns out.

L'issue often implies a sense of finality and is used for significant events like negotiations, conflicts, or competitions. Unlike the more neutral 'résultat', 'l'issue' focuses on the resolution or the way out of a complex situation.

A key phrase to learn is à l'issue de, which means 'at the end of' or 'following.' You will also frequently see it modified by adjectives, such as une issue favorable (a favorable outcome) or une issue incertaine (an uncertain outcome).

💡 * Quelle est l'issue de cette négociation ? (What is the outcome of this negotiation?)

• À l'issue de la réunion, une décision a été prise. (At the end of the meeting, a decision was made.)
• Le match a eu une issue inattendue. (The match had an unexpected outcome.)
• Nous cherchons une issue à ce problème complexe. (We are looking for a way out of this complex problem.)

The 'assessment' or 'summary' of a situation – le bilan

In French, le bilan refers to an assessment, a summary, a report, or the outcome of a particular situation or period. It’s a noun used to take stock of events.

The term originates from the business and accounting world, where it means a 'balance sheet.' This core idea of summing up positives and negatives (like assets and liabilities) extends to its broader, everyday usage of evaluating a situation.

You will most commonly hear it in the expression faire le bilan, which means 'to take stock' or 'to assess the situation.' Another common phrase is dresser le bilan, meaning 'to draw up a report/summary'.

While it can sound formal, le bilan is incredibly versatile. It can be used for work projects, personal life, or health. A very common use is un bilan de santé, which means 'a health check-up' or 'medical assessment'.

Unlike a simple résumé (summary), le bilan implies a deeper evaluation and analysis that often leads to a conclusion or future plan. It focuses on the results, consequences, and overall outcome.

💡 * Après la réunion, nous devons faire le bilan de nos progrès. (After the meeting, we need to assess our progress.)

• Le bilan de l'opération de sauvetage est positif. (The outcome of the rescue operation is positive.)
• Chaque fin d'année, je fais le bilan de ce que j'ai accompli. (At the end of every year, I take stock of what I have accomplished.)
• Le médecin m'a prescrit un bilan sanguin complet. (The doctor prescribed me a full blood test.)

The 'score' in a game or test – le score

One of the easiest words to remember! When talking about the points in a game, competition, or on a test, the French word is a direct borrowing from English: le score. It's pronounced with a French accent, of course, but it's the same word.

The most important thing to remember is that score is a masculine noun in French. This means you will always use masculine articles like le (the) or un (a/an). For example, you would say le score final (the final score).

You can use le score in almost any context where you would use 'score' in English, including sports, video games, and academic tests. Common phrases include quel est le score ? (what's the score?) and connaître le score (to know the score).

While you can use le score for a test, it's more common in an academic context to use la note to refer to a grade. For example, J'ai eu une bonne note (I got a good grade) is more natural than J'ai eu un bon score for a school test.

💡 * Quel est le score du match de foot ?

• Le score est de 2-1 pour notre équipe.
• Elle a obtenu le meilleur score au jeu d'arcade.
• Il était déçu de son score au test de français.

The 'fruit' of one's labor – le fruit

Beyond its literal meaning of a piece of fruit, le fruit is commonly used in French, as in English, to refer to the result or reward of something. It signifies a positive outcome that comes from a particular action or effort.

This term is often found in expressions like le fruit de son travail (the fruit of one's labor) or le fruit de ses efforts (the fruit of one's efforts). It poetically frames success as a natural product of hard work, much like a plant yields fruit after a period of growth.

Remember that le fruit is a masculine noun. This remains true even when used in its figurative sense. You will always use masculine articles and agreements, such as le fruit or un fruit.

💡 * Sa promotion est le fruit de son travail acharné. (His promotion is the fruit of his hard work.)

• Nous pouvons enfin voir le fruit de nos efforts. (We can finally see the fruit of our efforts.)
• La confiance est le fruit d'une longue amitié. (Trust is the fruit of a long friendship.)

The 'findings' or 'data' from research – les données

The 'findings' or 'data' from research – les données

The word données is the direct French equivalent of "data." It's the standard term used in academic, scientific, technical, and business contexts to refer to information, statistics, and research findings. Importantly, it is a feminine plural noun: les données.

This term is a cornerstone of formal and analytical French. You will often see it in key phrases like la collecte de données (data collection), l'analyse des données (data analysis), and la base de données (the database).

While les résultats means "the results," les données refers to the raw information or facts that lead to those results. For instance, the data (les données) from a survey are analyzed to produce the results (les résultats) of the study.

💡 * Les données montrent une augmentation des ventes ce trimestre. (The data shows an increase in sales this quarter.)

• La protection des données personnelles est très importante. (The protection of personal data is very important.)
• Nous avons recueilli des données sur le terrain. (We collected data in the field.)
• L'analyse de ces données prendra plusieurs jours. (The analysis of this data will take several days.)

The 'product' of a calculation or process – le produit

In French, the word le produit serves as the direct equivalent for 'the product,' most commonly understood as the result of a calculation, specifically multiplication.

In a mathematical context, le produit is the precise term for the result obtained when you multiply two or more numbers. For example, you would say, "Le produit de 4 et 5 est 20" (The product of 4 and 5 is 20).

Beyond mathematics, le produit is widely used to describe the end result or outcome of a process, effort, or series of events. It can refer to the outcome of hard work, imagination, or a specific situation. For instance, you could say a successful project is le produit d'un travail d'équipe (the product of teamwork).

It's important to note that le produit is also the word for a commercial 'product' you buy in a store. However, the context almost always makes the meaning clear. The focus here is on its abstract sense as an outcome or result.

💡 * Quel est le produit de huit par sept ? (What is the product of eight by seven?)

• Ce rapport est le produit de plusieurs mois de recherche. (This report is the product of several months of research.)
• Le stress est souvent le produit d'un manque de sommeil. (Stress is often the product of a lack of sleep.)
• Cette œuvre d'art est le pur produit de son imagination. (This work of art is the pure product of her imagination.)

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

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

Our list features the most common and versatile ways to say “result” in French. However, the best word often depends on the context. You'll find many other specific terms in fields like science, sports, business, and academia.

For more targeted vocabulary, try an online search for “synonymes de résultat pour ___” and fill in the blank with a specific domain like le sport, la science, or les affaires (business).

When you discover a new synonym, be sure to check its precise definition and look for example sentences. Understanding the nuance is key to using the word correctly and sounding like a native speaker.

As you immerse yourself in French media—whether it's reading the news, watching a documentary, or listening to a podcast—pay close attention to how outcomes and consequences are described. This is the best way to internalize the subtle differences.

For a deeper dive into related concepts like 'consequence,' 'outcome,' or 'effect,' the Larousse or WordReference dictionary entries for résultat are fantastic resources.

I hope this article helps you discuss outcomes with more precision. To finish, here is a powerful thought from Albert Camus that connects effort to results: 'La vraie générosité envers l'avenir consiste à tout donner au présent.' (True generosity towards the future lies in giving everything to the present.)