French Expression of the Day: Vis-à-vis
You will hear this French expression in everyday conversations, workplace discussions, political news and even property descriptions – with a much wider range of applications than its English use.
Why do I need to know vis-à-vis?
This expression also exists in English, but it has a broader range of meanings in French.
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What does it mean?
The French expression vis-à-vis, roughly pronounced vee-zah-vee (listen here) has several meanings. Depending on how it is used, it can mean opposite, facing, towards or in relation to. It can also be used as a noun to describe a person or building directly opposite something.
The expression dates back to the 13th century and comes from the Old French word vis, meaning “face”. So, quite literally, vis-à-vis means face to face.
The first meaning, opposite or facing, is used when someone or something is positioned directly opposite another person or thing.
Examples:
Je suis assis vis-à-vis de toi. – I’m sitting opposite you.
La pharmacie est vis-à-vis de la boulangerie. – The pharmacy is opposite the bakery.
When followed by the preposition de, the expression can describe someone’s attitude, behaviour or position towards another person. It is similar to envers or à l’égard de.
Examples:
Je suis très méfiant vis-à-vis de lui. – I’m very wary of him.
Elle a toujours été honnête vis-à-vis de ses enfants. – She has always been honest with her children.
It is also frequently used when talking about an issue, situation, responsibility or obligation. In this sense, it can translate as with regard to, in relation to or concerning. This use is particularly common in political reporting, the workplace and formal discussions.
Examples:
Quelles sont tes obligations vis-à-vis de ton employeur ? – What are your obligations towards your employer?
Le gouvernement doit clarifier sa position vis-à-vis de cette réforme. – The government must clarify its position on this reform.
This is the same use as in English – in English it tends to be used in quite formal, jargon-heavy contexts eg ‘what are your views vis-a-vis the merger?’ or ‘we need to set up a meeting vis-a-vis the site move’.
Un vis-à-vis is also a masculine noun referring to a person or thing directly opposite another. This meaning is particularly useful when talking about housing in France. You might see sans vis-à-vis in property listings, meaning that a home is not within the eye line neighbouring buildings.
Examples:
Cet appartement n’a pas de vis-à-vis. – This apartment is not overlooked.
Nous avons un immeuble en vis-à-vis. – We have an apartment building directly opposite us.
