à vrai dire

Le projet avance, mais à vrai dire nous manquons de temps.
The project is moving forward, but in truth we are short of time.
À vrai dire, je n’ai pas encore lu ce livre.
To be honest, I have not read this book yet.
Elle semblait calme. À vrai dire, elle était inquiète.
She seemed calm. In fact, she was worried.
Je pensais venir ; à vrai dire, je préfère rester.
I thought I would come; actually, I would rather stay.
À vrai dire, cette réponse ne me convainc pas.
To tell the truth, that answer does not convince me.

Similar words

à dire vrai

en réalité

pour être franc

À vrai dire, je n’ai pas encore lu ce livre.
To be honest, I have not read this book yet.
Le projet avance, mais à vrai dire nous manquons de temps.
The project is moving forward, but in truth we are short of time.
À vrai dire, cette réponse ne me convainc pas.
To tell the truth, that answer does not convince me.
Je pensais venir ; à vrai dire, je préfère rester.
I thought I would come; actually, I would rather stay.
Elle semblait calme. À vrai dire, elle était inquiète.
She seemed calm. In fact, she was worried.

à dire vrai

en réalité

pour être franc

Literally “to say true”: à introduces the expression, vrai means “true”, and dire means “to say”.

What does à vrai dire mean?

It means “to tell the truth” or “actually”.

Does it always correct someone else?

No, speakers often revise their own earlier statement.

Can it begin a sentence?

Yes; it often stands at the start, followed by a comma.

Is it a blunt expression?

Usually not. It can soften a candid correction.

Is à dire vrai also used?

Yes, it is a recognised variant, but this headword is à vrai dire.

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