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I have heard the following dialogue in the TV series Marseille:

  • Monsier le Maire (greeting)
  • Je ne suis plus le maire, mon ami.
  • Il faut pas croire ça.

Literally, I'd translate the last sentence to "It is not necessary to believe that", but that does not make any sense in English.

"You can't really believe that" would make more sense, but AFAIK "il faut" always means an impersonal need/obligation. I'd use "Tu ne peux pas vraiment croire ça" for that English translation.

Could someone clarify the intended meaning of the sentence and, in case my 2nd translation is correct explain the difference between the line in question and the alternative French sentence I've mentioned in the last paragraph? If "il faut" can be ambiguously translated "you/we must" as well as "it is necessary", I assume that figuring out the correct meaning depends on the context?

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Adding to the answer of Ayfri on the meaning, which is correct:

Il faut is not only used for an external need or an obligation. It can be also used for strong advice or recommendations, as is the case here.

Ex:

Ne l'écoute pas, il ne faut pas croire tout ce qu'il dit.

Il faut vraiment qu'on pense à réserver nos places.

Il faut arrêter de croire que tes notes s'amélioreront sans travailler.

Il ne faut pas jouer avec mes sentiments, je suis quelqu'un de sensible.

So il ne faut pas croire ça means "you shouldn't believe that". An alternative could be ne crois pas ça or the more idiomatic ne va pas croire ça. But using il faut means the advice does not apply only to the interlocutor, but that it is a more general piece of advice that can apply to anyone.

"Tu ne peux pas vraiment croire ça" has a different nuance: it would mean there is a factual, objective reason to not believe that. It is not just some advice you are giving: you are forcing your interlocutor to acknowledge a fact. It can even imply you doubt your interlocutor is sincere.

Ex:

Il t'a dit que la terre était plate ? Mais tu ne peux pas croire ça.

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You can translate it to Don't believe that.

The sentence is missing the ne word, it's a bit in sms language if you want.

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    Rather than SMS language, omitting the "ne" is just common spoken French. In SMS language, it would rather be "fo pa".
    – Greg
    Apr 22, 2020 at 4:48

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