French Phrase
Non, c'est juste un petit truc entre nous.
Meaning
This phrase is used to indicate that something is a private matter or a small secret shared only among the people present. 'Un petit truc' literally means 'a little thing' but in this context, it implies something minor or informal that shouldn't be discussed with others. 'Entre nous' reinforces the idea of confidentiality.
When to use
You would use this phrase to politely decline to share information with someone outside a specific group, or to downplay the importance of a shared secret. It's perfect for situations where you want to keep something confidential but don't want to make a big deal out of it, often in a casual setting among friends or close colleagues.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Non,c'estjusteunpetittrucentrenous.
Non
'Non' is the standard way to say 'no' in French. It's a simple and direct negation.
C'est
'C'est' is a contraction of 'ce est' (it is/this is). It's a very common impersonal construction used to identify or describe something, often followed by an adjective, noun, or pronoun.
Juste
Here, 'juste' acts as an adverb meaning 'just' or 'simply', emphasizing that the matter is minor or exclusively for a certain group. It can also mean 'fair' or 'right' as an adjective.
Un petit truc
'Un truc' is a very informal and versatile word for 'a thing' or 'a trick'. Combined with 'petit', it often refers to a small, informal matter or secret. It's more casual than 'une chose'.
Entre nous
This prepositional phrase means 'between us'. It's used to indicate that something is shared or confined to the people speaking, implying confidentiality or a private understanding.
🗨In Conversation
Alors, qu'est-ce que tu as dit à Paul à propos de la surprise ?
So, what did you tell Paul about the surprise?
Non, c'est juste un petit truc entre nous.
No, it's just a little thing between us.
✕Common Mistakes
Non, c'est seulement un petit secret entre nous.
While 'seulement' means 'only', 'juste' is more natural and common in this specific construction to mean 'just' or 'simply'. 'Petit secret' is also a bit more formal than 'petit truc' for a casual private matter.
Non, c'est juste une petite chose entre nous.
'Chose' is a general word for 'thing', but 'truc' is more colloquial and fits better with the informal tone of 'juste un petit truc' when referring to a private matter.
Non, c'est juste un petit truc entre nous deux.
'Entre nous' already implies 'between us' (plural), so adding 'deux' is redundant unless you specifically want to emphasize 'just the two of us' in a very particular context. For a general private matter, 'entre nous' is sufficient.
↔Alternatives
C'est notre secret.
It's our secret.
C'est confidentiel.
It's confidential.
On garde ça pour nous.
We'll keep that to ourselves.
Cultural Tip
French communication often values discretion, especially in personal or sensitive matters. This phrase allows for a polite way to set boundaries without being overly direct or rude. It implies a level of trust and intimacy among those who are 'in on' the 'petit truc'. It's a common way to share a confidence or a lighthearted secret.