What does cela in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word cela in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use cela in French.

The word cela in French means that, that, that, conceal, hide, except, except that, apart from that, after that, moving on, It's as simple as that!, That's it, Yeah, right, Sure; Yeah, sure, this is how, this is why, that is why, that, have been doing for + [duration], it does you good, that was a long time ago, it/that makes a bad impression, I liked it, I don't mind, it makes a (nice) change from, that makes me hopping mad, that warms my heart, it is hurting me, that is hurting me, it saddens me, it makes me think, that pleases me, that makes me happy, it makes me wonder, that makes me wonder, it makes me wonder, that makes me wonder, It speaks to me, it appeals, No doubt about it, it's not like him/her, I don't mind, it doesn't bother me, it doesn't worry me, that isn't enough to keep you going, that won't keep you going, that's not a problem, that doesn't look too good, there's no difficulty there, that won't happen again, there's no point, it doesn't hold up, that doesn't hold up, it won't work, that won't work, something's wrong, It amounts to the same thing, it jumps out at you, it's obvious, that's a cause for celebration, That'll teach you!, talking about it will help, it will help to talk about it, you'll feel better if you talk about it, one thing explains another, this calls for some thought, it requires some reflection, this said, that said, this being said, that being said, that being said, it's no big deal, I hate to say it, I hate to say this, This is of no importance, there's no obligation, that's only my opinion, it does not look very professional, it is not very professional-looking, that doesn't seem good, it doesn't seem good, It does not go without saying, there's no obligation on your part, That really is a feat!, That is an achievement in itself!, This amounts to, it can be summed up in a few words, Is everything going well?, It's growing., that goes without saying, it goes without saying, It goes without saying, that/it would be better, How do you mean? What do you mean?, in that, anything else?, that's what really matters, there's nothing like it, despite that, Never mind!, How's it going?, How's it looking?, How's it coming along?, Let that be a lesson to you!, added to this, if it were up to me, if you don't mind. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word cela

that

pronom (décrit une chose plus éloignée)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Ceci est plus joli que cela. Ceci est intéressant, mais cela encore plus.

This is prettier than that. This is interesting, but that is even more so.

that

pronom (décrit ce qui précède)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Je regrette, je n'ai pas dit cela.

I'm sorry, that's not what I said.

that

pronom (décrit une chose dont on parle)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Regarde cela, ce n'est pas un temps à sortir.

Look at that; that's no weather to go out in.

conceal, hide

verbe transitif (littéraire (cacher, dissimuler)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Martin cela son testament chez un notaire.

Martin hid his will with a solicitor.

except, except that

locution adverbiale (sauf que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Ce n'est pas faux, à cela près qu'elle a omis de préciser certaines choses.

apart from that

locution adverbiale (excepté cela)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

À part cela, tout va bien !

Apart from that, all is well!

after that

locution adverbiale (ensuite)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Après cela, nos prendrons du coq au vin avec un Charmes-Chambertin.

moving on

(changeons de sujet) (change of subject)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

It's as simple as that!

(il n'y a rien comprendre, c'est comme ça)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Arrête de te tracasser, c'est sa faute et c'est aussi simple que cela.

That's it

(oui, exactement)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Oui, demain à trois heures devant la mairie, c'est cela.

Yeah, right

(familier (Cela ne se passera pas comme cela.) (ironic, informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Que je dise oui à cette demande ? C'est cela oui !

Sure; Yeah, sure

(familier (Je n'y crois pas.) (ironic, informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Julien serait rentré dans le rang ? C'est cela oui !

this is how

(c'est ainsi que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

this is why

(c'est pour cela que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

that is why

(c'est la raison pour laquelle)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Le train a rencontré un incident technique, c'est pour cela que je suis en retard.

that

pronom (familier (la chose dont il s'agit)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Je n'ai jamais vu ça.

I've never seen that before.

have been doing for + [duration]

(il y a)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ça fait trois ans que nous habitons dans cette maison. Ça fait une demi-heure que je t'attends : t'étais où ?

We have lived in this house for three years.

it does you good

(expression de contentement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

that was a long time ago

(indication d'un événement lointain)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Quelle belle photo ! Ça fait longtemps...

What a nice photo! That was a long time ago...

it/that makes a bad impression

(ça donne mauvaise impression)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Les cheveux longs, la casquette, les chaussures de sport et la cigarette, tout ça fait mauvais genre.

I liked it

(familier (j'ai apprécié)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Alors, ce spectacle, c'était bien ? Oui, ça m'a plu.

I don't mind

(cela m'est indifférent)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tu peux accepter ou refuser, ça m'est égal.

You can accept or decline; I don't mind.

it makes a (nice) change from

(familier (cela varie de mes habitudes)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

that makes me hopping mad

(ça me choque) (colloquial)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Quand je vois des enfants obligés de mendier, ça me fait bondir.

that warms my heart

(figuré (j'en suis très content) (colloquial)

it is hurting me, that is hurting me

(cela m'est douloureux)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it saddens me

(figuré (cela m'attriste)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it makes me think

(je pense aussi à)

that pleases me, that makes me happy

(je suis content de cela)

it makes me wonder, that makes me wonder

(je suis dubitatif)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it makes me wonder, that makes me wonder

(je suis dubitatif)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

It speaks to me, it appeals

(ça me dit quelque chose)

No doubt about it

(c'est certain)

it's not like him/her

(ce n'est pas son genre)

I don't mind, it doesn't bother me, it doesn't worry me

(je n'ai rien contre)

that isn't enough to keep you going, that won't keep you going

(figuré (nourriture : ce n'est pas suffisant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

La nouvelle cuisine, ça ne nourrit pas son homme.

that's not a problem

(tout ira bien)

that doesn't look too good

(le pire est à craindre)

there's no difficulty there

(ce n'est pas difficile)

that won't happen again

(on ne recommencera pas)

there's no point

(c'est inutile)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it doesn't hold up, that doesn't hold up

(figuré (c'est illogique) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Il se serait suicidé puis aurait rangé le fusil ? Cela ne tient pas debout !

it won't work, that won't work

(figuré (ça ne marchera pas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tu penses que Céline et Hélène viendront à la même fête ? Cela ne tient pas debout !

something's wrong

(familier (il y a un problème)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

It amounts to the same thing

(c'est pareil)

it jumps out at you, it's obvious

(figuré (c'est évident, flagrant) (colloquial)

that's a cause for celebration

(il faut célébrer ça)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ça fait trois ans que tu bosses ici : eh, mais ça se fête !

That'll teach you!

(familier (C'est bien fait pour toi !) (informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

talking about it will help, it will help to talk about it, you'll feel better if you talk about it

(Il faut exprimer ses soucis)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Raconte-moi tout, ça ira mieux en le disant.

one thing explains another

(voilà la raison)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

this calls for some thought, it requires some reflection

(c'est intéressant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

this said, that said, this being said, that being said

locution adverbiale (néanmoins)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

C'est un argument de poids, cela dit il n'est pas suffisant.

It is a convincing argument; that said, it is not convincing enough.

that being said

locution adverbiale (toutefois, cependant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Mon voisin dit aimer la nature. Cela étant, il a deux quatre-quatre alors qu'il habite en ville.

it's no big deal

(c'est sans importance) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

I hate to say it, I hate to say this

(je dois reconnaître que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Cela me coûte de te dire ça, mais tu as mené ce projet de main de maître.

This is of no importance

(ça n'a pas d'influence)

there's no obligation

(c'est sans engagement)

that's only my opinion

(ce n'est que mon avis)

it does not look very professional, it is not very professional-looking

(ça tient de l'amateurisme)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Utiliser des bouchons à vis, ça ne fait pas très sérieux pour une bouteille de vin. Aller à un entretien d'embauche en baskets, ça ne fait pas très sérieux.

that doesn't seem good, it doesn't seem good

(cela ne m'inspire pas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Toute cette attente, cela ne me dit rien qui vaille.

It does not go without saying

(ce n'est pas évident)

there's no obligation on your part

(cela n'engendre pas d'obligation)

That really is a feat!, That is an achievement in itself!

(ce n'était pas facile)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

This amounts to

(c'est équivalent à)

it can be summed up in a few words

(quelques mots suffisent pour expliquer)

Is everything going well?

(Rencontrez-vous des problèmes ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

It's growing.

(ça augmente avec le temps)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

that goes without saying, it goes without saying

(c'est évident)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Bien sûr que je suis content d'être avec vous, cela va de soi.

It goes without saying

(c'est implicite)

that/it would be better

(c'est préférable de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Mets un casque de vélo, cela vaut mieux.

It would be better if you wore a cycling helmet.

How do you mean? What do you mean?

(pardon ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Comment cela ? Il serait mort la semaine dernière ?

in that

locution adverbiale (de par cela, vu sous cet angle)

Luc sait expliquer la même chose de plusieurs façons, en cela c'est un excellent pédagogue.

anything else?

(vous désirez autre chose ?) (to customer, diner)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Deux côtes de porc, 4 boudins noirs, 2 escalopes et avec cela ?

that's what really matters

(c'est ça qui est intéressant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Le fromage au lait cru, il n'y a que cela de vrai !

there's nothing like it

(c'est le meilleur) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Le brie de Melun de chez Loiseau, il n'y a que ça de vrai!

despite that

locution adverbiale (cependant)

Nous n'avons qu'un seul salaire, mais malgré cela, la vie est agréable.

Never mind!

interjection (peu importe)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Il ne vient pas ? Qu’à cela ne tienne ! Partons sans lui.

How's it going?, How's it looking?, How's it coming along?

(Comment se présentent les choses ?) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Let that be a lesson to you!

(Ne recommence plus cela)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tu iras laver la voiture. Que cela te serve de leçon !

added to this

(en plus)

if it were up to me

(si je devais décider)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Si cela ne tenait qu’à moi, on partirait au ski.

if you don't mind

(si ce n'est pas gênant pour vous)

Let's learn French

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