un je-ne-sais-quoi
an indefinable something / that certain something
Advanced Noun Masculine
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Pronunciation
/ʒə nə sɛ kwa/
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Cultural Note
This quintessentially French expression — so iconic that English borrowed it untranslated — perfectly captures the French philosophy of attraction. The French believe the most compelling attraction cannot be analyzed or explained. This 'je ne sais quoi' is what separates mere good looks from true allure — it's the mystery that makes someone captivating.
📝 Example Sentences
Elle a un je-ne-sais-quoi qui la rend irrésistible.
She has that certain something that makes her irresistible.
Ce qui me plaît chez lui, c'est un je-ne-sais-quoi dans son regard.
What I like about him is that indefinable something in his eyes.