Contrairement (en. Contrary to)

/kɔ̃tʁaiʁmɑ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

adverb

Indicates an opposition or a difference relative to something.

Contrary to what one might think, he succeeded.

Contrairement à ce qu'on pourrait penser, il a réussi.

Refers to something that goes against a generally accepted idea.

Contrary to expectations, the movie was not a success.

Contrairement aux attentes, le film n'a pas été un succès.

Expresses a notable difference between two things.

Unlike her brother, she loves sports.

Contrairement à son frère, elle adore les sports.

Derived from the Latin 'contrarium', meaning 'opposite'.

contrary to

In opposition to, in contrast with.

contrairement à

contrary to popular belief

Despite what many people think.

contrairement à la croyance populaire

act contrary

To act in a way that goes against a rule or norm.

agir contrairement

opposite

Opposed or different.

contraire

opposition

The action of opposing.

opposition

inverse

That is in the opposite direction.

inverse

Not really contrary, but a bit contradictory.

He often says things that are contrary to what he really thinks.

Il dit souvent des choses qui sont contrairement à ce qu'il pense vraiment.

Used informally to mean 'contrarily' but with a touch of irony.

I do everything contrary and yet it works!

Je fais tout contrairement et pourtant ça fonctionne!