Learning French: the meaning of ça va le faire

Reader question: I was wondering if you could explain one of the more idiosyncratic uses of 'ça' in French? When I watch The Voice, the judges often say "Ça chante" or "Ça chante bien" when listening to a contestant and agonising over whether or not to turn round. From context, I assume it means something like "he/she can sing (well)" but I'd really like to understand why as literally it would mean "that sings", which obviously isn't correct. Another related example is "ça va le faire" - how should I translate this and why?

How do you say ça?

The cédille (the curly tail on the letter c) is used to ensure a soft sound is made.

Therefore, ça could be pronounced phonetically as: [sa]

What does ça mean?

Ça is a short, simple word that appears in many French phrases and expressions. It is the colloquial form of ce, ceci, or cela, which could all be translated into English as: it, this, or that. 

Ça can also be used as an indefinite demonstrative pronoun. It typically refers to something ‘in general’ and does not change or ‘agree’ based on a subject’s gender or quantity.

The most classic example would be the phrase, ça va - used both to ask how someone is doing and also to express that you are doing well:

• Question: Ça va ? - How are you doing? [How are things going, generally] 

• Response: Ça va bien ! - I’m doing well. [Overall, I’m generally fine]

Note that it is also possible to say: je vais bien, tu vas bien, vous allez bien etc. Using ça is a more casual way of referring to a person’s general state.

Read also: Learning French: what does ça te dit mean and when should it be used?

This is the case in many situations where ça is followed by a verb. For example, if an employee walked into the office to find their colleagues hard at work, they might say: Bah dit donc, ça bosse ici. 

This could be said to one person or to the entire office - ça is describing the general atmosphere and working environment.

You can also add pas at the end to imply the opposite (negative) meaning. 

What does ça chante mean?

Our reader is correct to assume that ça chante could be implying: il/elle chante bien (he/she can sing well).

In the case of The Voice, it is possible that the judges say ça instead of he or she because their seats are turned away from the singers and therefore they do not know and cannot assume the gender of the mystery person.

Instead, the judges exclusively experience the sound of the contestant’s voice, meaning they can only refer to the general surrounding atmosphere. 

Read also: Eight phrases to help with everyday small talk in France

At the end of the performance, the judges turn their chairs to see the singer and give feedback. You might still hear them say ça chante (as is this case in the above extract). It is being used as a relaxed statement to imply: you can really sing.

In this example, the singer did not get through to the next stage, so the judges were using it to say: there is no denying you have got a voice - but it just is not the voice we are looking for.

What does ça va le faire mean?

This is another informal phrase featuring ça that can be translated literally as: that is going to do it. 

Read also: Learning French: what does ça va aller mean and when should it be used?

It can imply that something will work out or be resolved (in the future). You can also say ça le fait, if referring to something in the present.

Both options are used in a similar way to the English phrases: all is well, sounds good or that works.

It typically links two ideas together or is used in reaction to a relevant statement. For example:

• Mes plans ont changé et ça le fait, je peux venir te voir ce week-end ! - My plans have changed and now it’s all good, I can come to see you this weekend. 

• Tu ne t'es pas brossé les cheveux. Ça va pas le faire. - You haven’t brushed your hair. That just won’t do. 

If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other Learning French suggestions, let us know at: feedback@connexionfrance.com