Avoir (conditional) dire- to look like

Kristin L.A1Kwiziq community member

Avoir (conditional) dire- to look like

"on aurait dit un savage" translates to it looked like a savage, but I'm unsure of the rule for that. Is there a lesson on this? 

Asked 2 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

On aurait dit un savage -- one would have said a savage.

That's the literal translation. Usually, this is used as a fixed phrase and means "it looked/seemed/appeared/ like"

more.

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/glossary/verb-tense-mood/the-french-past-conditional-le-conditionnel-passe

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

"On aurait dit" is a fixed expression - it seemed like/sounded like/looked like, or more directly able to be translated in some cases as 'one would have said'. The expression infers doubt - was he really a savage or not ?

Kristin L. asked:

Avoir (conditional) dire- to look like

"on aurait dit un savage" translates to it looked like a savage, but I'm unsure of the rule for that. Is there a lesson on this? 

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