Je ne sais quoi: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Je ne sais quoi noun. An appealing quality that is hard to describe or name.
How to say it
zhuh nuh say KWAH/ˌʒə nə seɪ ˈkwɑː/
4 syllables, stressed on the fourth (KWAH).
Je ne sais quoi in a sentence
The flat was tiny, but it had a certain je ne sais quoi.
Her singing has a je ne sais quoi that no talent show could teach.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- charm
- allure
- mystique
- magic
Where je ne sais quoi comes from
French for I don't know what.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Her singing has a _____ that no talent show could teach.
- je ne sais quoi
- faux pas
- kismet
Show the answer
je ne sais quoi: Her singing has a je ne sais quoi that no talent show could teach.