How Do You Spell AU CONTRAIRE?

Pronunciation: [ˌə͡ʊ kəntɹˈe͡ə] (IPA)

The phrase "au contraire" is a French expression that is commonly used in English to mean "on the contrary." It is spelled as "oh kon-trair" in IPA phonetic transcription. The sound of "au" is pronounced as "oh" and "contraire" is pronounced as "kon-trair" with a silent "e" at the end, which is common in French spelling. The spelling of this phrase can be challenging for those unfamiliar with French language and pronunciation, but using IPA transcription can help understand the correct pronunciation.

AU CONTRAIRE Meaning and Definition

1. Au contraire is a French phrase often used in English to convey the opposite or contrary of what has just been stated or assumed. It can be translated as "on the contrary" or "just the opposite."

   The term is derived from the French language, where the word "au" means "to" or "at," and "contraire" means "opposite" or "contrary." Combining these words together creates the phrase "au contraire," which is commonly used as a concise and emphatic way to express disagreement or contradiction.

   When used in conversation, au contraire serves as a strong and assertive way to challenge or dispute a previous statement. It implies that the speaker believes the complete opposite to be true or has an alternative perspective that contradicts the initial assumption. By using au contraire, the speaker aims to make their opposing viewpoint clear and distinct.

   The phrase is often employed to provide a counterargument or to correct a misconception. It enhances communication by facilitating meaningful discourse and encouraging dialogue between individuals with differing opinions. Au contraire adds nuance and depth to conversations, prompting a more comprehensive examination of ideas and issues.

   Overall, au contraire functions as a powerful linguistic tool, highlighting the disagreement or contradiction between viewpoints and bringing clarity to discussions by asserting the alternative.

Etymology of AU CONTRAIRE

The phrase "au contraire" is a French expression that translates to "on the contrary" in English. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old French word "contre" meaning "against" or "contrary". The prefix "au" is derived from the Latin word "ad", which denotes "to" or "toward". Therefore, "au contraire" essentially means "toward the contrary" or "in contrast". It is used to express disagreement or contradiction to a previous statement.