French Conversation · Level 119
60 words
French word
échéant
Pronunciation
IPA/eʃeɑ̃/
Meaning
- adjectiveif applicable
Example
Contactez-moi, le cas échéant.
Contact me, if applicable.
More examples
Des ajustements seront faits, le cas échéant.
Adjustments will be made, if applicable.
Core concept
A conditional switch that activates when the relevant situation arises.
Common phrases
le cas échéant
if applicable
Similar words
nécessaire: Required and indispensable for a particular action or result.
utile: Helpful for achieving a particular purpose.
Definition in French
S'emploie pour indiquer que quelque chose s'applique uniquement si la situation considérée se présente, souvent dans des formulations officielles comme «le cas échéant».
Word origin
Échéant is the present participle of échoir, from Old French escheoir and ultimately Latin excadere, whose sense of falling or accruing led to its conditional use.
Usage tips
- Le cas échéant is formal and common in official writing, while everyday French often uses si besoin or si nécessaire.
Other meanings
- if necessaryadverb
Related words
- échéancierpayment schedulenoun
- échéancedue datenoun