What does faut in French mean?

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

The word faut in French means almost did , nearly did, fail to keep , not hold to, fail in, be needed, need, have to do , need to do , must do, have to do , need to do, have to do, be bound to do, have to, ought to, have to, should, take + [duration], fail to live up to your reputation, not live up to your reputation, fail to fulfil your obligations. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word faut

almost did , nearly did

verbe transitif (avoir manqué de faire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai failli avoir un accident en venant ce matin au bureau. // Quand sa fille lui a annoncé son déménagement, Gérard a failli tomber de sa chaise.
When his daughter told him she was moving out, Gerry all but fell off his chair.

fail to keep , not hold to

verbe transitif indirect (littéraire (ne pas tenir : une promesse, un engagement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le jeune homme a failli à sa promesse de mariage.
The young man failed to keep his promise of marriage.

fail in

verbe transitif indirect (littéraire (manquer à : un devoir)

Ce soldat a failli à son devoir.
The soldier failed in his duty.

be needed

verbe impersonnel (indique une nécessité)

Il faut un piquet tous les 100 mètres. Il faut une personne expérimentée pour ce poste.
We need an experienced person for this post.

need

verbe impersonnel (indique une nécessité) (person as subject)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Pour le cours de biologie, il me faut une blouse. Tu peux m'en acheter une ? // Il me faudrait un mètre pour prendre des mesures.
I could do with a tape measure to take measurements.

have to do , need to do , must do

verbe impersonnel (indique une nécessité) (person as subject)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il faut trier ses déchets. Il faut arriver une heure avant le départ du ferry.
Household waste must be sorted for recycling.

have to do , need to do

verbe impersonnel (indique une nécessité) (person as subject)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il faudrait que tu arrives avant 18 heures.
You would have to arrive before 6 pm.

have to do

verbe impersonnel (indique le caractère inévitable) (person as subject)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il faut se dire au revoir, le train va partir.
We have to say goodbye; the train is about to leave.

be bound to do

verbe impersonnel (indique le caractère inévitable)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon fils s'est fait mal en faisant l'idiot sur son skate : il fallait bien que ça arrive !
My son hurt himself messing around on his skateboard; that was bound to happen.

have to

verbe impersonnel (indique l'hypothèse)

Il aurait fallu nous ayons plus de temps pour pouvoir finir. Il aurait fallu qu'elle fût naïve pour se conduire ainsi.
She has to be stupid to act the way she does.

ought to

verbe impersonnel (indique l'ironie)

Il fallait l'entendre raconter ses exploits de chasseur !
You should have heard him going on about his hunting exploits!

have to

verbe impersonnel (exprime l'indignation)

Faut-il qu'il soit bête pour ne pas avoir réagi !
He didn't react! He must be stupid.

should

verbe impersonnel (exprime l'admiration)

(auxiliary verb: Helping verb--for example, "She is running." "It has been lost.")
Il faut voir comme elle danse !
You should see her dance!

take + [duration]

verbe transitif (exprime une durée nécessaire)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Il faut environ 3 heures pour faire Paris-Marseille en train.
It takes about three hours to get from Paris to Marseilles on the train.

fail to live up to your reputation, not live up to your reputation

locution verbale (se montrer indigne de sa réputation)

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

fail to fulfil your obligations

locution verbale (manquer à ses devoirs) (UK)

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

Let's learn French

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