contredire

contradict

verb kohn-truh-DEER Rare

Origin: Latin contradicere (to speak against)

Usage Note

Contredire is conjugated like dire except in the second-person plural present: vous contredisez (not contredites, which would follow dire). The reflexive se contredire means to contradict oneself. The noun contradiction is its common companion: tomber en contradiction (to fall into contradiction).

Examples

"Ne me contredis pas sans raison."

Natural Translation

Don't contradict me without reason.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Telling Time in French: Hours, Quarters, 24-Hour

Telling time in French means Il est cinq heures, et quart, et demie, and the 24-hour clock like quatorze heures trente. Read any French schedule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Je t'aime vs Je t'adore: I Love You in French

Je t'aime is the real romantic I love you; je t'adore means warm fondness, not romance. Here's the person-vs-thing rule and the bien trap that flips it.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Passé Composé vs Imparfait: When to Use Each

Passé composé tells the story; imparfait paints the scene. Use this 2-second flowchart, trigger words, and paired examples to pick the right French tense.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read