French Phrase
Carrément, c'était parfait.
Meaning
The speaker is emphatically stating that something was perfect, leaving no doubt about how great it was. The use of ‘carrément’ adds a strong, informal punch to the compliment.
When to use
Use this expression after a meal, a performance, a trip, or any experience you want to praise enthusiastically. It fits casual conversation among friends or peers, but would sound out of place in a formal report.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Carrément,c'étaitparfait.
Carrément (adverb)
A colloquial adverb meaning ‘absolutely, completely, downright’. Often used as an interjection to emphasise a statement.
c'était (contraction)
Contraction of ‘cela était’, the imperfect form of ‘être’ used to describe a past state or situation.
parfait (adjective)
An adjective meaning ‘perfect’. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it describes; here it stays masculine singular.
🗨In Conversation
Comment était le concert hier soir ?
How was the concert last night?
Carrément, c'était parfait.
Absolutely, it was perfect.
✕Common Mistakes
Carrément, c'est parfait.
‘c’est’ is present tense; the sentence refers to a past event, so use ‘c’était’.
Carrément, c'était parfaitement.
‘Parfaitement’ means ‘perfectly’ (adverb) and does not replace the adjective ‘parfait’ here.
Carré́ment, c'était parfait.
Do not write it with an accent (carré́ment) – the correct spelling is ‘carrément’.
↔Alternatives
Tout à fait, c'était parfait.
Exactly, it was perfect.
Absolument, c'était parfait.
Absolutely, it was perfect.
C'était vraiment parfait.
It was really perfect.
Cultural Tip
‘Carrément’ is informal and very common among younger speakers in France and Quebec. It adds a punchy, enthusiastic tone, but avoid it in formal writing or when speaking to someone you need to show respect, such as a professor or a business client.