Level B2 (Upper Intermediate)
Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
The French Word of the Day is à la rigueur, meaning “if necessary.” This is one of those B2 expressions you’ll hear all the time in spoken French. But what does it really mean, and how is it really used? Listen to Marie’s audio examples and everything will click!
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
✅ Related lessons
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📘 À la rigueur meaning
À la rigueur is a common French expression meaning “if absolutely necessary,” “if needed,” or “if you really have to.” It’s used when something isn’t your first choice, but you’re willing to accept it as a backup option. Despite containing the word rigueur, which means “strictness” or “severity,” it has nothing to do with these ideas. Instead, it signals a last-resort possibility or a compromise you can live with when there’s no better alternative — if necessary, if need be.
🎧 À la rigueur pronunciation
The pronunciation of à la rigueur is /a la ʁi.ɡœʁ/, which sounds roughly like “ah lah ree-GUHR.”
📝 À la rigueur examples & usages
Sarah peut t’aider, à la rigueur, mais elle est très occupée.
Sarah can help you, if absolutely necessary, but she’s very busy.
Je peux attendre encore cinq minutes, à la rigueur.
I can wait another five minutes, if needed.
À la rigueur, tu peux dormir sur le canapé.
If it really comes to it, you can sleep on the couch.
On peut faire la réunion demain, à la rigueur.
We can have the meeting tomorrow, if absolutely necessary.
A similar and more common way to say à la rigueur is s’il faut (if necessary).
👉 See also: Il faut — meaning, pronunciation, examples »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- s’il faut — if needed / if it comes to that
- si nécessaire — if necessary
- au besoin — if needed / if required
- le cas échéant — if applicable / if the situation arises
- en dernier recours — as a last resort
- au pire — at worst
- à défaut — failing that / if not
- en cas de besoin — in case of need
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