The English word 'right' is a tricky one, isn't it? It can mean 'correct', 'the opposite of left', or even a moral entitlement. So, how do you translate such a versatile word into French? You might know droit(e) or correct, but the French language has a specific word for each of these contexts and more. Getting them mixed up can lead to some confusing conversations! But don't worry, we're here to set things straight. Let's explore the nine essential ways to say 'right' in French, so you can always express yourself correctly and confidently.

The 'correct' or 'that's it' right – C'est ça / Exact

When you want to confirm that something is correct, or exclaim 'That's it!', French offers two incredibly common and useful expressions: C'est ça and Exact.

Literally translating to 'it's that', C'est ça is the go-to phrase for general agreement or confirmation in everyday conversation. You use it when someone has correctly guessed something, understood an explanation, or performed an action correctly. Think of it as the equivalent of 'That's it,' 'That's right,' or 'You've got it'.

Exact (or its longer form Exactement) is a direct cognate of 'exact' and 'exactly'. It's used to confirm that a piece of information is precisely correct. While it can be used in casual conversation, it often carries a slightly more emphatic tone than C'est ça.

The key difference is nuance. Use C'est ça for general confirmation and encouragement, like confirming a direction or an idea ('That's the one!'). Use Exact when you're confirming a specific fact, number, or detail with precision ('That is precisely correct.'). C'est ça is more conversational and fluid, while Exact is more pointed and definitive.

You'll often hear C'est ça used in a slightly drawn-out way in conversation (C'est çaaaa...) as if to say, 'Yes, that's precisely the point I was getting at.' It's a cornerstone of conversational French that signals active listening and agreement.

💡 * - Alors, je tourne à gauche ici ? - Oui, c'est ça.

• • Le rendez-vous est bien à 15h30 ? - Exact.
• Tu as fini tes devoirs ? C'est ça, tu peux aller jouer maintenant.
• • Le code est 4-8-1-5 ? - Exactement.

1. The 'you are right' right – Tu as raison / Vous avez raison

To say that someone is 'right' in French, the key expression is avoir raison. This literally translates to 'to have reason' and is the most common and direct way to affirm that someone's statement or opinion is correct.

The phrase is built around the verb avoir (to have). The two most essential forms are tu as raison (for informal situations with one person) and vous avez raison (for formal situations or when addressing multiple people).

Using avoir raison confirms that someone is factually or logically correct. It's not just about agreeing to be polite; it signifies that you genuinely believe their argument or observation is sound.

If you want to ask 'Am I right?', you can use the same structure: J'ai raison ?. For a more polite or formal tone, you might ask, Est-ce que j'ai raison ? (Am I right?).

The direct opposite is avoir tort (to be wrong). For instance, Tu as tort means 'You are wrong,' and Il a tort means 'He is wrong.' This provides a complete conversational tool for agreement and disagreement.

💡 * Oui, tu as raison, ce restaurant est le meilleur du quartier.

• Vous avez raison, nous devrions partir maintenant pour éviter le trafic.
• Je suis désolé, mais je pense que tu as tort sur ce point.
• J'ai raison ou j'ai tort ? Dis-moi la vérité.
• Le professeur a dit que nous avions raison.

The directional 'right' – à droite

When giving or receiving directions in French, one of the most fundamental phrases you'll need is à droite, which means 'to the right' or 'on the right'.

The phrase à droite is the standard and most common way to indicate the direction 'right'. It's used universally, from telling a taxi driver where to turn to pointing out an object's location relative to something else.

In this directional context, droite functions as a noun meaning 'the right side'. The preposition à (meaning 'to', 'at', or 'on') is essential. You cannot simply say droite for direction; it must be preceded by à.

To be more specific and say 'to the right of something', you combine the phrase with the preposition de. The full structure is à droite de + [noun]. For example, à droite du cinéma means 'to the right of the cinema'.

It's helpful to learn à droite alongside its counterparts. The direct opposite is à gauche ('to the left'), and another common command is tout droit ('straight ahead'). Mastering these three phrases is the foundation for giving simple directions in French.

💡 * Tournez à droite au prochain carrefour. (Turn right at the next intersection.)

• La boulangerie est juste là, sur votre droite. (The bakery is right there, on your right.)
• Ma maison est à droite de l'école. (My house is to the right of the school.)
• Regardez à droite avant de traverser la rue. (Look to the right before crossing the street.)

1. The legal or human 'right' – un droit

The legal or human 'right' – un droit

Un droit is the French word for 'a right.' It's a versatile term used in both legal contexts, like le droit de vote (the right to vote), and in broader moral contexts, such as human rights.

Crucially, droit is a masculine noun. You will always see it with masculine articles like un or le. This helps distinguish it from the adverbial phrase à droite, which means 'to the right'.

In its plural form, les droits, it forms key phrases like les droits de l'homme (human rights). The word le droit can also refer to the entire field of 'law' as a subject of study.

💡 * Tout le monde a le droit à la liberté d'expression.

• C'est mon droit de refuser.
• Elle étudie le droit international à la Sorbonne.
• Les droits des enfants doivent être protégés.

The 'right away' or 'immediately' right – tout de suite

One of the most essential phrases for expressing immediacy in French is tout de suite.

Tout de suite directly translates to 'right away,' 'immediately,' or 'at once.' It's a standard adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action should or will happen without any delay.

A key point for learners is the pronunciation. In everyday spoken French, the 'e' in 'de' is often elided, making the phrase sound like toot-sweet. This is a very common, almost universal, pronunciation that will make you sound more natural.

Unlike slang, tout de suite is extremely versatile. It is appropriate in almost any context, from formal business emails (Je vous réponds tout de suite) to casual chats with friends (J'arrive tout de suite !).

Grammatically, tout de suite is typically placed directly after the conjugated verb it modifies. For example, in the sentence Il faut finir ça tout de suite, it follows the verb finir.

💡 * J'arrive tout de suite ! (I'm coming right away!)

• Il faut ranger ta chambre tout de suite. (You need to clean your room immediately.)
• Elle a compris tout de suite ce que je voulais dire. (She understood what I meant right away.)
• Pouvez-vous m'envoyer le document tout de suite, s'il vous plaît ? (Can you send me the document immediately, please?)

The 'right here' or 'right there' right – juste ici / juste là

To add the emphasis of 'right' when indicating a location in French, you combine the adverb juste (just, right, exactly) with ici (here) or là (there). This gives you the direct equivalents: juste ici for 'right here' and juste là for 'right there'.

Juste ici translates to 'just here' and is used to specify a precise location very close to the speaker. It’s the verbal equivalent of tapping your finger on a spot. Use it when you want to emphasize the exactness of a location within your immediate vicinity.

Juste là means 'just there' and is incredibly versatile. While it's used for locations at a slight distance, it's also frequently used to mean 'right here,' making it a more common and flexible choice than juste ici in everyday conversation.

The main takeaway is nuance and frequency. Ici is strictly 'here,' while là can mean both 'here' and 'there' depending on context. Consequently, you will hear juste là far more often. Use juste ici for very precise, close-by locations, and juste là for almost everything else, whether near or far.

💡 * Pose les clés juste ici, sur le comptoir. (Put the keys right here, on the counter.)

• Le cinéma est juste là, de l'autre côté de la rue. (The cinema is right there, on the other side of the street.)
• Je ne te vois pas, où es-tu ? - Je suis juste là ! (I don't see you, where are you? - I'm right here!)
• Signez votre nom juste ici, s'il vous plaît. (Sign your name right here, please.)

The political 'right' – la droite

In the context of politics, la droite is the French term for the 'right' or 'right-wing'. It refers to the collection of political parties, ideologies, and voters associated with conservatism, economic liberalism, and nationalism. Grammatically, the word droite is feminine in this context, so it is always preceded by la.

This term is widely used in media and everyday conversations about politics. You might hear phrases like un parti de droite (a right-wing party) or être de droite (to be right-wing). It describes a general political leaning rather than one specific group.

Understanding la droite is key to understanding the French political landscape, which is often framed as a contrast between la droite (the right) and its opposite, la gauche (the left). This duality is fundamental to discussions about elections, social issues, and economic policies in France.

💡 * Les électeurs de la droite sont souvent préoccupés par l'économie. (Voters on the right are often concerned with the economy.)

• Ce politicien est considéré comme une figure majeure de la droite française. (This politician is considered a major figure of the French right.)
• Le programme de la droite propose des baisses d'impôts pour les entreprises. (The right-wing platform proposes tax cuts for businesses.)

The 'alright' or 'okay' right – D'accord

Perhaps the most common and versatile way to express agreement in French is with d’accord. It directly translates to “in agreement,” but it’s used just like “okay,” “alright,” or “I agree” in English.

You can use d’accord as a simple, one-word response to a question or suggestion, or as part of a longer sentence to confirm you are on the same page. For example, « On se retrouve à 8h ? » « D’accord. » (“We’ll meet at 8?” “Okay.”)

You can also use it as a question – D'accord ? – to check if someone agrees with you or understands what you've said, similar to adding “, right?” or “, okay?” at the end of a sentence in English.

One of the best things about d'accord is its neutrality. It's appropriate in almost any situation, from casual chats with friends to more formal discussions in a professional setting.

💡 * Tu veux venir au cinéma avec nous ce soir ? – D'accord !

• Je suis d'accord avec toi, ce film était excellent.
• Il faut finir ce projet avant demain, d'accord ?
• Elle n'était pas d'accord avec la décision du comité.

The 'morally right' or 'within one's rights' – être dans son bon droit

The French expression être dans son bon droit literally translates to "to be in one's good right." It is used to convey that someone is legally, contractually, or morally justified in their actions, claims, or position. It signifies that a person has the law, rules, or a strong ethical argument on their side, making their stance legitimate and defensible.

This phrase is commonly used during disagreements, disputes, or legal conflicts. For example, a consumer demanding a refund for a defective product is dans son bon droit. Similarly, someone refusing to do a favor that goes against a prior agreement is also dans son bon droit. It adds a layer of formal or moral authority to a person's justification, moving beyond a simple opinion.

The structure of the phrase is straightforward, but requires attention to two key elements. First, the verb être (to be) must be conjugated to match the subject. Second, the possessive adjective son must also agree with the subject: mon, ton, son, notre, votre, leur. For example: Je suis dans mon bon droit (I am within my rights), and Nous sommes dans notre bon droit (We are within our rights).

While both phrases relate to being 'right,' they are not interchangeable. Avoir raison means to be factually correct or to have the correct opinion (Tu as raison, il pleut - You're right, it's raining). In contrast, être dans son bon droit refers to the right to act or make a claim based on rules or morality. You can avoir raison about a fact, but you are dans ton bon droit when you enforce a rule.

💡 * Le client est dans son bon droit de demander un remboursement pour le produit défectueux.

• J'ai refusé de travailler le week-end car mon contrat ne l'exige pas ; je suis dans mon bon droit.
• Elle a porté plainte contre le bruit, elle est parfaitement dans son bon droit.
• Vous êtes dans votre bon droit si vous exigez le respect des termes du contrat.

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

So, are there other ways to say “right” in French?

Our guide has covered the most common and essential ways to express the concept of “right” in French, from being correct (avoir raison) to direction (à droite). But French is a language of nuance, and you'll surely encounter other terms in specific legal, moral, or even regional contexts.

You can expand your knowledge by doing an online search for a specific context, like “comment dire 'human rights' en français” to see how the core word, droit, is applied and modified.

The most important lesson is that context is king. A word like juste can mean “right” in the sense of “fair,” while correct means “right” as in “accurate.” Always try to see a word used in a few sentences before using it yourself.

Pay close attention as you engage with French media. Listening to debates, watching legal dramas, or even just hearing everyday conversations will help you develop a natural instinct for which “right” is the right one to use.

If you want to explore the vast network of words related to being right, the WordReference entries for droit and raison are fantastic resources. They provide numerous examples, compound phrases, and forum discussions.

I hope this article has set you on the right path. To finish, here is a perfect quote from French philosopher Joseph Joubert: C'est avoir tort que d'avoir raison trop tôt. (To be right too soon is to be in the wrong.)