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How to Say ‘Isn't being subtle’ in French

Ne fait pas dans la dentelle

nuh feh pah dahn lah dahn-TEL

[nuh feh pah dahn lah dahn-TEL]

Phrase Breakdown

Ne fait pas

nuh feh pah

Doesn't do

A negation around 'fait'. The 'ne' is light and quick.

Example

Il ne fait pas d'effort.

He doesn't make an effort.

Words in this phrase

[nuh]

(negation) not

Negation particle used with another negative word (ne… rien). In speech, it can be dropped, but it’s standard in writing.

Example

Ne me raconte rien sur l’anime, je veux garder la surprise.

Don’t tell me anything about the anime, I want to keep the surprise.

fait

[feh]

does / makes

fait is used in faire du bien, meaning does good.

Example

Marcher dehors fait du bien.

Walking outside does good.

pas

[pah]

not (negation)

Second part of negation in “ne… pas.” Together: “Don’t worry.”

Example

Ne t’inquiète pas, je ne dis rien.

Don’t worry, I’m not saying anything.

dans la dentelle

dahn lah dahn-TEL

in lace (i.e. subtle things)

Part of an idiom: 'not doing lace' means being blunt or heavy-handed. Say it as dahn-TÈL.

Example

Ce film ne fait pas dans la dentelle.

This film isn't subtle.

Words in this phrase

dans

[dahn]

Indicates inclusion within space or limits.

Example

Dans la maison, c'était calme.

In the house, it was quiet.

[lah]

the (feminine singular)

Definite article used before a feminine singular noun.

Example

La réservation est déjà confirmée pour samedi soir.

The reservation is already confirmed for Saturday evening.

dentelle

[dahn-TEL]

lace

Delicate fabric; in the idiom, means doing things subtly.

Example

Une robe en dentelle.

A lace dress.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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