nétaitce

N'était-ce is a French phrase that translates directly to "was it not." It is a form of the passé composé tense of the verb "être" (to be) in the negative, combined with the inversion of the subject and verb for a question. This construction is commonly used in French to form rhetorical questions, express surprise, or to seek confirmation in a polite or emphatic manner. It functions similarly to asking "wasn't it?" or "wasn't that?" in English.

For example, "N'était-ce pas une journée magnifique?" translates to "Wasn't it a magnificent day?" Here, the speaker is likely expressing a positive sentiment about the day and seeking agreement. The phrase can also be used to recall a past event or situation. Another common usage is in expressions like "N'était-ce pas le cas?" meaning "Wasn't that the case?" or "Wasn't that so?" This indicates a reference to something previously discussed or understood. The negative structure coupled with the inverted subject-verb order creates a questioning tone that is characteristic of this particular French expression.