Learning French: what does tant pis mean and when should it be used?
We also look at how to pronounce this everyday reaction to something gone wrong
Tant pis can be used to show sympathy or express indifference in an unfortunate situation
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You are sure to come across this short saying when spending time with native French speakers in France.
Tant pis can be used sympathetically or sarcastically in casual conversations to react to an unfortunate event.
We look at how to use these different interpretations of this phrase, explain how to pronounce it and share the 16th-Century origins behind the mysterious word ‘pis.’
What does tant pis mean?
This common saying literally translates as: so much worse.
More appropriate English equivalents, however, would be ‘oh well’ or ‘too bad’.
There are two different interpretations of tant pis: either to express indifference or show sympathy in an unfortunate situation.
Synonyms and variations regarding indifference include:
Tant pis pour toi - Tough luck for you
- C’est comme ça - That is how it is / That is just the way it goes
C’est la vie - That is life
On n'y peut rien - That is the way the cookie crumbles
Synonyms and variations regarding sympathy include:
C'est dommage - That is a shame
Ce n'est pas grave - What a pity
On s'en passera - Never mind
Read also: Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir du bol
How do you say tant pis?
Tant is slightly tricky to pronounce as the French -ant does not exist in English.
The final letter ‘T’ is silent, creating a nasally sound produced by raising the back of your tongue to touch the roof of your mouth.
It could be written phonetically as 'tohn.’ Think about the ending of words such as import-ant or amus-ant.
Pis is more simple to say. The final letter is also silent, therefore making a ‘pee’ sound.
What are the origins of tant pis?
It dates back to the 16th-17th Centuries and is made up of two words: tant is a notion of quantity while pis is an adverb meaning, 'worst.'
Pis comes from the Latin pejus and gradually became pis and then pire. It has disappeared from everyday use except for the expression, tant pis, where it remains.
Due to the oral nature of this saying, some people incorrectly spell tant pis as tampis on the rare occasion that it is written down.
Tant pis is always written as two words to clearly distinguish its component parts.
When do you say tant pis?
Tant pis is often used as a standalone response to a negative situation.
It can be used to express sympathy:
Statement: L'offre d'emploi m'a été refusée. - I was turned down for the job.
Response: Tant pis. - That’s too bad, never mind.
You can also say this sarcastically to express indifference or despair:
Read also: Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la poisse?
To whom do you say tant pis?
It is informal language and can be used with friends and family.
This phrase can sometimes come across as rude if showing a lack of interest or indifference to a situation.
You will mainly hear it used orally or see it written in casual message exchanges.
Read also: Eight phrases to help with everyday small talk in France
