A compact function word for conditions, indirect yes-or-no questions, degree, and replies that reverse a negative, with noun uses for the note B and for stated conditions.
Il parlait si doucement que personne ne l'entendait.
He was speaking so softly that no one could hear him.
Vous n'avez rien compris ? Si, nous avons compris.
Didn't you understand anything? Yes, we understood.
Ses si cachent une vraie hésitation.
His reservations hide real hesitation.
Je n'avais jamais vu un ciel si clair.
I had never seen a sky so clear.
Je prendrai le train s'il pleut.
I will take the train if it rains.
Similar words
aussi
à ce point
restriction
tellement
objection
à condition que
tant
dans le cas où
réserve
pourvu que
Meanings
Condition or hypothesis
conjunction
grammar
neutral
Introduces a condition, a possible situation, or an unreal hypothesis on which another action depends.
Examples
Si tu viens demain, nous partirons tôt.
If you come tomorrow, we will leave early.
Je prendrai le train s'il pleut.
I will take the train if it rains.
Si j'avais le temps, je lirais ce roman.
If I had time, I would read this novel.
Appelle-moi si besoin.
Call me if needed.
Si la porte est fermée, passe par le jardin.
If the door is closed, go through the garden.
Similar words
à condition que
au cas où
dans le cas où
pourvu que
si jamais
sauf si
Indirect yes-or-no question
conjunction
grammar
neutral
Introduces an indirect question where the answer would be yes or no, like English if or whether.
Examples
Je ne sais pas si elle viendra.
I do not know whether she will come.
Demande-lui s'il a reçu le message.
Ask him if he received the message.
Vérifie si la porte est fermée.
Check whether the door is closed.
Dites-moi si vous êtes d'accord.
Tell me whether you agree.
On verra si le plan fonctionne.
We will see whether the plan works.
Similar words
Degree or intensity
adverb
degree
neutral
Marks a high degree, an equality in negative or comparative contexts, or a degree strong enough to bring a result or concession.
Examples
Cette salle est si calme.
This room is so quiet.
Il parlait si doucement que personne ne l'entendait.
He was speaking so softly that no one could hear him.
Ne cours pas si vite.
Do not run so fast.
Si petit qu'il soit, ce détail compte.
However small it may be, this detail matters.
Je n'avais jamais vu un ciel si clair.
I had never seen a sky so clear.
Similar words
tellement
tant
aussi
très
fort
à ce point
Yes after a negative
adverb
conversation
neutral
Answers yes to a negative question or denies a negative statement by affirming the opposite.
Examples
Tu n'as pas faim ? Si, j'ai faim.
Aren't you hungry? Yes, I am hungry.
Elle ne vient pas ? Si, elle arrive.
Isn't she coming? Yes, she is arriving.
Vous n'avez rien compris ? Si, nous avons compris.
Didn't you understand anything? Yes, we understood.
Il n'aime pas ce livre ? Si, il l'adore.
Doesn't he like this book? Yes, he loves it.
On ne peut pas entrer ? Mais si, la porte est ouverte.
Can't we go in? But yes, the door is open.
Similar words
oui
mais oui
bien sûr que si
effectivement
certainement
tout à fait
Musical note B
noun
music
neutral
Names the seventh note of the do scale and the written sign or key built on that note.
Examples
Le si naturel se trouve juste avant le do.
The natural B comes just before C.
Elle a chanté un si très juste.
She sang a very accurate B.
Cette mesure commence par un si bémol.
This measure begins with a B-flat.
Le morceau passe en si mineur.
The piece moves into B minor.
Accorde la corde sur le si.
Tune the string to B.
Similar words
A condition or reservation
noun
conversation
informal
Names a stated condition, reservation, or imagined possibility, especially when someone keeps raising obstacles.
Examples
Avec des si, on refait le monde.
With ifs, one can remake the world.
Il ajoute toujours des si à sa promesse.
He always adds conditions to his promise.
Ce contrat contient trop de si.
This contract contains too many ifs.
Arrêtons les si et décidons.
Let us stop the ifs and decide.
Ses si cachent une vraie hésitation.
His reservations hide real hesitation.
Similar words
condition
hypothèse
supposition
réserve
objection
restriction
Etymology
The conditional conjunction continues Latin si, meaning if. The degree and affirmative adverb comes from Latin sic, meaning thus. The musical noun was formed from the initials of Sancte Iohannes in the hymn used for medieval solfège.
FAQ
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