C'était un jeu déloyal.

Sentence Discussions French
#1
English Translation

It was a foul play.

Gemini suggests its a bit ambiguous, so it provides a few options:

1. If you mean “Crime / Murder” (The Mystery Context)

If you are saying “The police suspect foul play,” do not use jeu déloyal. That would sound like the murderer cheated at a board game.

  • Correct Phrase: “C’était un acte criminel” or “Il y a eu malveillance.”
  • Translation: It was a criminal act / There was malicious intent.

2. If you mean “A Dirty Trick / Unfair” (The General Context)

If someone sabotaged you or was sneaky in a business or social setting.

  • Correct Phrase: “C’était un coup bas.”
  • Translation: It was a low blow. (This is the most common idiom).

3. If you mean “Sports” (Breaking the rules)

  • "It was a foul": Say “C’était une faute.”
  • "It was unfair play": You can use “C’était du jeu déloyal” (note: du, not un), but this sounds like a technical term from a rulebook (common in Rugby rules, for example). In casual conversation, you would just say “C’était de la triche” (It was cheating).
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