Does jamais mean always or never in this context?Does “ne même plus” mean “no more” or “no more...
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Does jamais mean always or never in this context?
Does “ne même plus” mean “no more” or “no more than”?Why does this sentence only use a “ne”?What does a sentence starting with “pas” mean?Depending on whether to say “vraiment pas” or “pas vraiment”, does the meaning of this sentence change?Does “ne pas” and “ne pas que” have the same meaning in this context? Can you use both?(ne .. aucune .. que) Can “ne” be paired with “que” here? Can “ne” be paired with multiple words?
My understanding of French is extremely limited so I am not sure who is correct in this situation. A Twitter user contends that the French writer Maurice Druon once said "Tradition is nothing but a progress which has succeeded".
As best I can find, Druon's original quote in French is "Une tradition, ce n'est jamais qu'un progrès qui a réussi".
So far my basic efforts indicate the Druon quote actually means the opposite of what the person on Twitter contends, yet at the same time I found one resource indicating that sometimes "ce n'est jamais" means "is always".
So in the context of this specific quote, is tradition always, or never, a progress which has succeeded? If it does actually mean what the Twitter user contends, what contextual clues would guide me in this instance?
négation double-négation
asked 1 hour ago
derrgillderrgill
161
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derrgill is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
My understanding of French is extremely limited so I am not sure who is correct in this situation. A Twitter user contends that the French writer Maurice Druon once said "Tradition is nothing but a progress which has succeeded".
As best I can find, Druon's original quote in French is "Une tradition, ce n'est jamais qu'un progrès qui a réussi".
So far my basic efforts indicate the Druon quote actually means the opposite of what the person on Twitter contends, yet at the same time I found one resource indicating that sometimes "ce n'est jamais" means "is always".
So in the context of this specific quote, is tradition always, or never, a progress which has succeeded? If it does actually mean what the Twitter user contends, what contextual clues would guide me in this instance?
négation double-négation
asked 1 hour ago
derrgillderrgill
161
New contributor
derrgill is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
My understanding of French is extremely limited so I am not sure who is correct in this situation. A Twitter user contends that the French writer Maurice Druon once said "Tradition is nothing but a progress which has succeeded".
As best I can find, Druon's original quote in French is "Une tradition, ce n'est jamais qu'un progrès qui a réussi".
So far my basic efforts indicate the Druon quote actually means the opposite of what the person on Twitter contends, yet at the same time I found one resource indicating that sometimes "ce n'est jamais" means "is always".
So in the context of this specific quote, is tradition always, or never, a progress which has succeeded? If it does actually mean what the Twitter user contends, what contextual clues would guide me in this instance?
négation double-négation
asked 1 hour ago
derrgillderrgill
161
New contributor
derrgill is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
My understanding of French is extremely limited so I am not sure who is correct in this situation. A Twitter user contends that the French writer Maurice Druon once said "Tradition is nothing but a progress which has succeeded".
As best I can find, Druon's original quote in French is "Une tradition, ce n'est jamais qu'un progrès qui a réussi".
So far my basic efforts indicate the Druon quote actually means the opposite of what the person on Twitter contends, yet at the same time I found one resource indicating that sometimes "ce n'est jamais" means "is always".
So in the context of this specific quote, is tradition always, or never, a progress which has succeeded? If it does actually mean what the Twitter user contends, what contextual clues would guide me in this instance?
négation double-négation
négation double-négation
asked 1 hour ago
derrgillderrgill
161
New contributor
derrgill is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
derrgillderrgill
161
New contributor
derrgill is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
derrgillderrgill
161
New contributor
derrgill is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
derrgillderrgill
161
asked 1 hour ago
derrgillderrgill
161
161
New contributor
derrgill is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
derrgill is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
derrgill is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
3 Answers
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Grammar-wise (strictly speaking):
In the construction "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X", the main focus is on the restrictive "ne ... que ..."; the structure is not about the negation "ne ... jamais ...". This fact alone may well lead you to the right interpretation; This "jamais" is not seen as a negation, but rather as "ever", as in:
Si jamais la couleur du chapeau que vous choisissez ne vous convient finalement pas, ...
Voilà bien le meilleur café que j'aie jamais bu.
Translation-wise (practically speaking):
That being said, as far as translation into English is concerned, you could easily be forgiven for applying the meaning "never" to the "jamais" in "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X":
It's never anything but a ...
It's only ever a ...
This construction can be naturally translated in two different ways, using either "ever" or "never", but they both boil down to the same thing.
answered 1 hour ago
Con-gras-tue-les-chiensCon-gras-tue-les-chiens
10.7k41241
add a comment |
This use of "jamais" appears to be neither "always" nor "never" but to be equivalent to "seulement" (only). I infer that from a translation in a Robert-Collins dictionary: "Ce n'est jamais qu'un enfant" (He is only a child). So, "nothing but" (rien que) is a good translation. The form is generally "SUBJECT_ne_être_que_COMPLÉMENT".
- La pomme n'est jamais qu'un fruit commun.
- Ce n'est jamais que la pluie qui crée des inondations.
- Un arbre n'est jamais qu'une herbe qui s'est endurcie et qui a grandi.
answered 1 hour ago
LPHLPH
10.9k1425
add a comment |
"Une tradition, ce n'est jamais qu'un progrès qui a réussi" is translated in "A tradition is nothing more than a progress which has succeeded".
answered 59 mins ago
ON5MF JurgenON5MF Jurgen
37119
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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oldest
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Grammar-wise (strictly speaking):
In the construction "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X", the main focus is on the restrictive "ne ... que ..."; the structure is not about the negation "ne ... jamais ...". This fact alone may well lead you to the right interpretation; This "jamais" is not seen as a negation, but rather as "ever", as in:
Si jamais la couleur du chapeau que vous choisissez ne vous convient finalement pas, ...
Voilà bien le meilleur café que j'aie jamais bu.
Translation-wise (practically speaking):
That being said, as far as translation into English is concerned, you could easily be forgiven for applying the meaning "never" to the "jamais" in "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X":
It's never anything but a ...
It's only ever a ...
This construction can be naturally translated in two different ways, using either "ever" or "never", but they both boil down to the same thing.
answered 1 hour ago
Con-gras-tue-les-chiensCon-gras-tue-les-chiens
10.7k41241
add a comment |
Grammar-wise (strictly speaking):
In the construction "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X", the main focus is on the restrictive "ne ... que ..."; the structure is not about the negation "ne ... jamais ...". This fact alone may well lead you to the right interpretation; This "jamais" is not seen as a negation, but rather as "ever", as in:
Si jamais la couleur du chapeau que vous choisissez ne vous convient finalement pas, ...
Voilà bien le meilleur café que j'aie jamais bu.
Translation-wise (practically speaking):
That being said, as far as translation into English is concerned, you could easily be forgiven for applying the meaning "never" to the "jamais" in "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X":
It's never anything but a ...
It's only ever a ...
This construction can be naturally translated in two different ways, using either "ever" or "never", but they both boil down to the same thing.
answered 1 hour ago
Con-gras-tue-les-chiensCon-gras-tue-les-chiens
10.7k41241
add a comment |
Grammar-wise (strictly speaking):
In the construction "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X", the main focus is on the restrictive "ne ... que ..."; the structure is not about the negation "ne ... jamais ...". This fact alone may well lead you to the right interpretation; This "jamais" is not seen as a negation, but rather as "ever", as in:
Si jamais la couleur du chapeau que vous choisissez ne vous convient finalement pas, ...
Voilà bien le meilleur café que j'aie jamais bu.
Translation-wise (practically speaking):
That being said, as far as translation into English is concerned, you could easily be forgiven for applying the meaning "never" to the "jamais" in "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X":
It's never anything but a ...
It's only ever a ...
This construction can be naturally translated in two different ways, using either "ever" or "never", but they both boil down to the same thing.
answered 1 hour ago
Con-gras-tue-les-chiensCon-gras-tue-les-chiens
10.7k41241
Grammar-wise (strictly speaking):
In the construction "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X", the main focus is on the restrictive "ne ... que ..."; the structure is not about the negation "ne ... jamais ...". This fact alone may well lead you to the right interpretation; This "jamais" is not seen as a negation, but rather as "ever", as in:
Si jamais la couleur du chapeau que vous choisissez ne vous convient finalement pas, ...
Voilà bien le meilleur café que j'aie jamais bu.
Translation-wise (practically speaking):
That being said, as far as translation into English is concerned, you could easily be forgiven for applying the meaning "never" to the "jamais" in "ce n'est jamais qu'un(e) X":
It's never anything but a ...
It's only ever a ...
This construction can be naturally translated in two different ways, using either "ever" or "never", but they both boil down to the same thing.
answered 1 hour ago
Con-gras-tue-les-chiensCon-gras-tue-les-chiens
10.7k41241
edited 13 mins ago
answered 1 hour ago
Con-gras-tue-les-chiensCon-gras-tue-les-chiens
10.7k41241
answered 1 hour ago
Con-gras-tue-les-chiensCon-gras-tue-les-chiens
10.7k41241
answered 1 hour ago
Con-gras-tue-les-chiensCon-gras-tue-les-chiens
10.7k41241
10.7k41241
add a comment |
add a comment |
This use of "jamais" appears to be neither "always" nor "never" but to be equivalent to "seulement" (only). I infer that from a translation in a Robert-Collins dictionary: "Ce n'est jamais qu'un enfant" (He is only a child). So, "nothing but" (rien que) is a good translation. The form is generally "SUBJECT_ne_être_que_COMPLÉMENT".
- La pomme n'est jamais qu'un fruit commun.
- Ce n'est jamais que la pluie qui crée des inondations.
- Un arbre n'est jamais qu'une herbe qui s'est endurcie et qui a grandi.
answered 1 hour ago
LPHLPH
10.9k1425
add a comment |
This use of "jamais" appears to be neither "always" nor "never" but to be equivalent to "seulement" (only). I infer that from a translation in a Robert-Collins dictionary: "Ce n'est jamais qu'un enfant" (He is only a child). So, "nothing but" (rien que) is a good translation. The form is generally "SUBJECT_ne_être_que_COMPLÉMENT".
- La pomme n'est jamais qu'un fruit commun.
- Ce n'est jamais que la pluie qui crée des inondations.
- Un arbre n'est jamais qu'une herbe qui s'est endurcie et qui a grandi.
answered 1 hour ago
LPHLPH
10.9k1425
add a comment |
This use of "jamais" appears to be neither "always" nor "never" but to be equivalent to "seulement" (only). I infer that from a translation in a Robert-Collins dictionary: "Ce n'est jamais qu'un enfant" (He is only a child). So, "nothing but" (rien que) is a good translation. The form is generally "SUBJECT_ne_être_que_COMPLÉMENT".
- La pomme n'est jamais qu'un fruit commun.
- Ce n'est jamais que la pluie qui crée des inondations.
- Un arbre n'est jamais qu'une herbe qui s'est endurcie et qui a grandi.
answered 1 hour ago
LPHLPH
10.9k1425
This use of "jamais" appears to be neither "always" nor "never" but to be equivalent to "seulement" (only). I infer that from a translation in a Robert-Collins dictionary: "Ce n'est jamais qu'un enfant" (He is only a child). So, "nothing but" (rien que) is a good translation. The form is generally "SUBJECT_ne_être_que_COMPLÉMENT".
- La pomme n'est jamais qu'un fruit commun.
- Ce n'est jamais que la pluie qui crée des inondations.
- Un arbre n'est jamais qu'une herbe qui s'est endurcie et qui a grandi.
answered 1 hour ago
LPHLPH
10.9k1425
answered 1 hour ago
LPHLPH
10.9k1425
answered 1 hour ago
LPHLPH
10.9k1425
answered 1 hour ago
LPHLPH
10.9k1425
10.9k1425
add a comment |
add a comment |
"Une tradition, ce n'est jamais qu'un progrès qui a réussi" is translated in "A tradition is nothing more than a progress which has succeeded".
answered 59 mins ago
ON5MF JurgenON5MF Jurgen
37119
add a comment |
"Une tradition, ce n'est jamais qu'un progrès qui a réussi" is translated in "A tradition is nothing more than a progress which has succeeded".
answered 59 mins ago
ON5MF JurgenON5MF Jurgen
37119
add a comment |
"Une tradition, ce n'est jamais qu'un progrès qui a réussi" is translated in "A tradition is nothing more than a progress which has succeeded".
answered 59 mins ago
ON5MF JurgenON5MF Jurgen
37119
"Une tradition, ce n'est jamais qu'un progrès qui a réussi" is translated in "A tradition is nothing more than a progress which has succeeded".
answered 59 mins ago
ON5MF JurgenON5MF Jurgen
37119
answered 59 mins ago
ON5MF JurgenON5MF Jurgen
37119
answered 59 mins ago
ON5MF JurgenON5MF Jurgen
37119
answered 59 mins ago
ON5MF JurgenON5MF Jurgen
37119
37119
add a comment |
add a comment |
derrgill is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
derrgill is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
derrgill is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
derrgill is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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