avoir beau
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French[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Verb[edit]
- may well, well might (+ infinitive); whatever, no matter what (even though) someone does/says, etc.
- on a beau faire ― whatever you do; no matter what one does
- on a beau protester ― however much you protest
- il a eu beau essayer ― try as he might
- On a beau rappeler, personne ne répond.
- You can call back as much as you like/However much you call back/Even if you call back, nobody answers.
- On a beau dire, il n’est pas bête. ― Say what you like, he's not stupid.
- 1921, Marcel Proust, Le Côté Guermantes, section II:
- « Cette pierre vivante a beau être mon cousin, elle me fair peur […] »
- This living stone may well be my cousin, but it frightens me.
- 1961, “Le Prochain Amour”, in Jacques Brel (lyrics), Marieke:
- On a beau faire on a beau dire / Ça fait du bien d’être amoureux / Je sais je sais que ce prochain amour / Sera pour moi la prochaine défaite
- Do whatever you like, say however much you want / that it feels good to be in love; / I know, I know that this next love / will be my next defeat.
Usage notes[edit]
Followed by an infinitive expressing the verb "do", "say", etc.