How do you say "Doesn't work" in French?

"Doesn't work" in French is "Ne marche pas". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘Doesn't work’ in French

Q: What does "Ne marche pas" mean in English?

"Ne marche pas" means "Doesn't work" in English. Usage tip: French often wraps [ne ... pas] around the verb: [ne marche pas] = "doesn't work." In everyday speech the [ne] is often dropped, so you may hear [ça marche pas].

Ne marche pas

nuh marsh pah

[nuh marsh pah]

💬 Usage Tip: French often wraps [ne ... pas] around the verb: [ne marche pas] = "doesn't work." In everyday speech the [ne] is often dropped, so you may hear [ça marche pas].

Phrase Breakdown

[nuh]

not

First part of standard French negation around the verb.

Example

Ne fonctionne pas, selon le chauffeur.

Does not work, according to the driver.

marche

[marsh]

works

From marcher, here meaning to function or operate.

Example

Le lecteur marche seulement parfois.

The reader works only sometimes.

pas

[pah]

not

Second part of the negation, making the verb negative.

Example

Ça ne marche pas aujourd'hui.

It isn't working today.

Guides for French learners

The Best App to Learn French: An Honest ComparisonDuolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Busuu, italki and PrettyFluent compared for learning French: what each is best at, how you pay, and which fits your goal.French Conversation for Beginners: 5 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseFive short French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.

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