The French phrase "Ça en vaut la peine"

We are going to explain you everything you have to know about the basic phrase “Ça en vaut la peine”.

This include a detailed guide of what it is and how you can use it in a conversation with an audio example. And also the cool informations we sprinkled like synonyms, dialogue example, slow pronunciation audio and more!

By the way, on this page you will find more of these phrases pages plus all our French words explained on this page. Wish you a happy learning!

Table of Contents

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French to English translation

How to pronounce it

Slow pronunciation

Normal pronunciation

What does it mean exactly?

Definition

The literal meaning is:

  • Ça → This (is)
  • En vaut → Worth
  • La peine → The trouble

This expression is built around “vaut” from the verb “valoir” which has a meaning of “value“. So when something “Vaut la peine” (Worth the trouble) it means it has enough value to justify spending some time and energy on it.

If it’s not interesting enough a.k.a. it has not enough “value” then it’s not worth it: “Ça n’en vaut pas la peine.

How to use it

Someone asks you if what you are reading is interesting and the book disappointed you: “Non, ça n’en vaut pas la peine.” (No, it’s not worth it/the trouble.) But if you liked it and want to recommend it, you can say: “Oui, ça en vaut la peine.

N.B. The “Oui” and “Non” before the expression are optional, but we tend to use them to make our sentences more clear.

Synonyms and similarities

  • Ça en vaut la peine. (“It’s worth the trouble“)
  • Ça vaut le coup. (“It’s worth the shot“)
  • Ça vaut le détour. (“It’s worth the detour“)

Antonyms

  • Ça n’en vaut pas la peine. (“It’s not worth the trouble“)
  • Ça ne vaut pas le coup. (“It’s not worth the shot“)
  • Ça ne vaut pas le détour. (“It’s not worth the detour“)

Dialogue example

Audio dialogue from French people

Dialogue audio

Dialogue transcription

” What are your new year’s resolutions? “
” Je vais courir tous les jours ! “
” I will run everyday! “
” Ça en vaut la peine ! “
” It’s worth it! “
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