voilà
There it is; here you go; that's it — used to draw attention to or present something.
Definitions
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1
Used to present or point out something: 'there it is', 'here you go', 'there you have it'.
“J'ai fini de cuisiner — voilà le dîner!”
I've finished cooking — there's dinner!
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2
Used to indicate that something has just been done or a result has been achieved: 'and that's that', 'done!'.
“Tu mets les deux pièces ensemble, et voilà, c'est terminé.”
You put the two pieces together, and that's it, it's done.
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3
Used to refer back to something previously mentioned or to summarize: 'that's how it is', 'so there we are'.
“Voilà pourquoi je préfère voyager en train plutôt qu'en voiture.”
That's why I prefer to travel by train rather than by car.
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4
As a filler or acknowledgement in conversation: 'right', 'exactly', 'you see'.
“C'est une bonne idée, voilà, on est d'accord.”
It's a good idea — exactly, we agree.
Word forms
- Usage
- Invariable — it never changes form.
Voilà is one of the most versatile and frequently used words in everyday French. It is the counterpart of 'voici' (here is/are, for things closer to the speaker), though in modern spoken French 'voilà' has largely replaced 'voici' in casual use. It is also widely borrowed into English as a stylish exclamation, often (incorrectly) spelled 'viola' by English speakers. In spoken French it can be reduced to a quick 'là' or 'ben voilà'.