L'affaire (en. The affair)

la-fɛʁ

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A business or a subject of discussion.

This matter has been ongoing for months.

Cette affaire est en cours depuis des mois.

A problem or a situation to resolve.

We need to settle this matter quickly.

Nous devons régler cette affaire rapidement.

A legal file.

The lawyer is handling the matter in court.

L'avocat s'occupe de l'affaire en justice.

Goods or possessions.

He inherited his grandfather's possessions.

Il a hérité des affaires de son grand-père.

From the Latin 'affērāre', which means 'to relate to'.

The matter is in the bag

This means that the matter is almost settled.

l'affaire est dans le sac

To occupy someone

To ensure that someone is busy.

faire affairer

To be involved in the matter

To be involved or engaged in a situation.

être dans l'affaire

To busy oneself

To keep someone occupied with a task.

affairer

Engagement in affairs

Tendency to be involved in affairs (often with a negative connotation).

affairisme

Activity level

The set of matters to manage.

affairement

The complicated situation.

It's really a matter, I don't know how to get out of it.

C’est vraiment une affaire, je ne sais pas comment s'en sortir.

To make a deal

I made a deal by buying this car at a discount.

J’ai fait une affaire en achetant cette voiture au rabais.