au contraire — meaning in English
French → English · translate English → French instead
English meaning
- contrarily adv In a contrary manner; in opposite ways or directions.
- on the contrary phrase Used to reject what has just been said and assert the opposite. It signals not merely disagreement but that the truth runs the other way.
- rather adv Used to show a preference for one thing over another.
Senses
au contraire is used for these senses in English:
- au contraire (usually, humorous, emphatic) On the contrary.
- contrarily In a contrary manner; in opposite ways or directions.
- on the contrary (conjunctive) Opposite of what had earlier been expected or assumed; to the contrary.
- rather (conjunctive) Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary. [from 14th c.]