Dialogue
Carrément or vraiment? A French conversation about weekend plans
Practise an enthusiastic yes, a surprised really and a strong description in a French dialogue. Compare carrément and vraiment with examples and a quiz.
- B1
- 10 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the B1 notebook →
In short
Use Carrément ! for an enthusiastic, informal “Absolutely!” Use Vraiment ? for “Really?” when news surprises you. In a sentence, vraiment means really or truly; carrément can add the force of completely or downright.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
Nora and Malik are choosing a Saturday outing. Read Malik’s replies first. Then turn on practice mode and answer from the English cues. Notice how his first reply accepts an invitation, while his next question checks unexpected news.
- Nora
Ça te dit d’aller au cinéma samedi ?
English
Fancy going to the cinema on Saturday?
- Malik
Carrément ! J’ai vraiment envie de voir ce film.
Accept enthusiastically. Say you really want to see the film.
English
Absolutely! I really want to see that film.
- Nora
Ma sœur l’a déjà vu trois fois.
English
My sister has already seen it three times.
- Malik
Vraiment ? Elle l’a aimé à ce point ?
React with surprise. Ask whether she liked it that much.
English
Really? She liked it that much?
- Nora
Oui, elle dit qu’il est vraiment drôle.
English
Yes, she says it’s really funny.
- Malik
Alors, on réserve pour vingt heures ?
Suggest booking for eight.
English
So, shall we book for eight?
- Nora
La séance de vingt heures est complète. On essaie à dix-huit heures ?
English
The eight o’clock screening is full. Shall we try six?
- Malik
Ça change carrément nos plans : je travaille jusqu’à dix-neuf heures.
Say that completely changes your plans: you work until seven.
English
That completely changes our plans: I work until seven.
- Nora
On peut y aller dimanche, alors.
English
We can go on Sunday, then.
- Malik
Oui, dimanche, ça me va vraiment mieux.
Say Sunday really suits you better.
English
Yes, Sunday really suits me better.
What does carrément mean in French?
| French | Meaning here | What the speaker does |
|---|---|---|
| Carrément ! | Absolutely! | Accepts eagerly in casual conversation |
| Vraiment ? | Really? | Checks surprising news |
| Ça change carrément nos plans. | That completely changes our plans. | Emphasises a substantial change |
| Ça me va vraiment mieux. | That really suits me better. | Strengthens a comparison |
Is carrément more informal than vraiment?
— Vous souhaitez participer à la réunion ? — Oui, avec plaisir.
“Would you like to take part in the meeting?” “Yes, gladly.”
A useful reply in a professional exchange. With friends, an eager Carrément ! fits naturally.
Both C’est vraiment bien and C’est carrément bien praise something. The second sounds more conversational and emphatic. For a question about genuine intention, keep vraiment: Tu veux vraiment partir ? means “Do you really want to leave?” Learn the complete reply or sentence alongside the English meaning.