quitte à + Infinitive

Even if It Means with Quitte a

Level 5

The expression quitte à is used to show that you are willing to accept a negative consequence or a risk in order to do something else. It translates to 'even if it means' or 'at the risk of.' In some contexts, it can also mean 'since we are already doing X, we might as well Y.'

How It Works

The phrase quitte à is a powerful tool for expressing concession and calculated risk. Historically, the word quitte comes from an adjective meaning 'even' or 'free of debt' (as in being 'quits' or 'even' with someone). In this expression, it implies that the speaker has weighed the costs and decided the goal is worth the potential downside.

1. Expressing Risk or Cost
When followed by an infinitive, it shows the price one is willing to pay. Note that the consequence following quitte à is almost always negative, restrictive, or represents a sacrifice. The preposition à links the expression to the action.
Example: Je vais lui dire la vérité, quitte à le blesser. (I'm going to tell him the truth, even if it means hurting him.)

2. The 'Since/Might as Well' Construction
When quitte à starts a sentence and is paired with autant, it suggests that since a situation is already happening or unavoidable, one should make the most of it. In this context, it can be translated as 'If I have to [do X anyway]...'
Example: Quitte à être là, autant travailler. (Since we're already here/If we have to be here anyway, we might as well work.)
A highly common set phrase in this vein is quitte à choisir (if I have to choose / if it comes down to it).

3. Subject Mismatch
If the subject of the main clause and the subject of the risk are different, you must use the construction quitte à ce que followed by the subjunctive.
Example: Je partirai, quitte à ce qu'il soit en colère. (I will leave, even if it means he gets angry.)

4. Register and Usage
While it sounds sophisticated, it is very common in both spoken and written French. It is distinct from the verb quitter (to leave) and should not be confused with it.

Examples (5)

  1. Il veut gagner, quitte à tricher un peu.

    He wants to win, even if it means cheating a little.

    Word by Word: He wants to win, quit to cheat a little.

    Here, 'quitte à' introduces the negative action (cheating) the subject is willing to do to reach the goal (winning).

  2. Je vais acheter cette voiture, quitte à m'endetter.

    I am going to buy this car, even at the risk of going into debt.

    Word by Word: I go to buy this car, quit to me indebt.

    The speaker accepts the financial risk ('s'endetter') as a consequence of the purchase.

  3. Quitte à refaire le trajet, autant prendre le chemin le plus court.

    Since we have to do the trip again anyway, we might as well take the shortest path.

    Word by Word: Quit to redo the trip, as much take the path the most short.

    This uses the 'quitte à... autant' structure to suggest the most logical choice given the circumstances.

  4. Elle dira ce qu'elle pense, quitte à déplaire à tout le monde.

    She will say what she thinks, even if it means displeasing everyone.

    Word by Word: She will say what she thinks, quit to displease to all the world.

    The downside (displeasing people) is accepted in favor of honesty.

  5. Je finirai ce projet ce soir, quitte à ne pas dormir.

    I will finish this project tonight, even if it means not sleeping.

    Word by Word: I will finish this project this evening, quit to not sleep.

    The sacrifice (lack of sleep) is the price for finishing the work.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a noun directly after 'quitte à'.

    Il est parti quitte à sa vie.
    Il est parti au risque de sa vie.

    'Quitte à' almost always requires a verb (infinitive). If you want to use a noun, 'au risque de' is usually the correct choice.

  • Using the infinitive when the subjects are different.

    Je resterai, quitte à il pleut.
    Je resterai, quitte à ce qu'il pleuve.

    When the subject of the second part is different (it/the rain vs. I), you must use 'quitte à ce que' + subjunctive.

  • Trying to make 'quitte' agree with a plural subject.

    Ils sont venus, quittes à perdre du temps.
    Ils sont venus, quitte à perdre du temps.

    In modern French, 'quitte à' is treated as an invariable phrase. You do not need to add an 's' for plural subjects.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

quitte à + InfinitiveLevel 5Even if It Means with Quitte a

Learn This First

To understand 'quitte a + infinitive', learners need to be familiar with the preposition 'a' and how infinitives are used in French to express actions without conjugation. This pattern functions as a fixed conjunctional phrase that introduces a potential risk or consequence.

Words in This Pattern

quitte à