whether

whether
whether [ˈweðər]
conjunction
   a. ( = if) si
• I don't know whether or not it's true je ne sais pas si c'est vrai ou non
• I don't know whether to go or not je ne sais pas si je dois y aller ou non
• I doubt whether ... je doute que ... + subj
• I'm not sure whether ... je ne suis pas sûr que ... + subj
   b. ( = regardless of) que + subj
• whether it rains or (whether it) snows, I'm going out qu'il pleuve ou qu'il neige subj, je sors
• whether or not you go que tu y ailles ou non
   c. ( = either) soit
• whether today or tomorrow soit aujourd'hui soit demain
• whether before or after soit avant soit après
* * *
['weðə(r)], US ['hweðər]
Note: When whether is used to mean if, it is translated by si: I wonder whether she got my letter = je me demande si elle a reçu ma lettre. See 1 in the entry below
whether often occurs after verbs such as ask, doubt, decide, know, say, see and wonder, with adjectives such as doubtful, sure, and with nouns like doubt, question. You can find further examples at these entries
In whether...or not sentences whether is translated by que and the verb that follows is in the subjunctive: whether you agree or not = que vous soyez d'accord ou non. See 2 in the entry below
conjunction
1) (when outcome is uncertain: if) si

I wasn't sure whether to answer or not ou whether or not to answer — je ne savais pas s'il fallait répondre, je n'étais pas sûr qu'il faille répondre

I wonder whether it's true — je me demande si c'est vrai

the question is whether anyone is interested — le problème est de savoir si quelqu'un est intéressé

she was worried about whether to invite them — elle se demandait si elle devait les inviter

2) (when outcome is fixed: no matter if)

you're going to school whether you like it or not! — tu iras à l'école que cela te plaise ou non!

whether you have children or not, this book should interest you — que vous ayez des enfants ou non, ce livre devrait vous intéresser

whether or not people are happy is of little importance — que les gens soient heureux ou non ce n'est pas très important

everyone, whether students or townspeople, celebrates — tout le monde, que ce soient les étudiants ou les habitants de la ville, fait la fête


English-French dictionary. 2013.

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