Being able to speak French gives you a certain je ne sais quoi (a certain intangible spark or uniqueness) no matter where you are. It is the international language of love, diplomacy, and, of course, fashion. Learning certain common phrases (also called idioms) is a shortcut to fluency—from the catwalk of Paris to the remote cafés in the South of France.
Here is a top ten list of some of the most famous and widely used French idioms.
1: ALLER SE FAIRE CUIRE UN OEUF
• Literal translation: “Go and cook yourself an egg”
• Meaning: Go jump in the lake (go away)
2: AVOIR LE CUL BORDÉ DE NOUILLES
• Literal translation: “To have the ass surrounded by noodles”
• Meaning: To be very lucky
3: ARRIVER COMME UN CHEVEU SUR LA SOUPE
• Literal Translation: “To arrive like a hair on the soup”
• Meaning: To arrive at the worst possible moment or to make a terrible impression
4: AVOIR LE CAFARD
• Literal Translation: “To have the cockroach”
• Meaning: To be in the doldrums or feel depressed
5: FAIRE LA GRASSE MATINÉE
• Literal translation: “Have a fat morning”
• Meaning: Enjoy your lazy morning or feel free to sleep late
6: PISSER DANS UN VIOLON
• Literal translation: “To piss in a violin”
• Meaning: To waste time on something futile, or to waste one’s breath
7: CE N’EST PAS LA MER À BOIRE
• Literal translation: “It’s not like you have to drink the ocean”
• Meaning: It’s not that difficult
8: EN FAIRE TOUT UN FROMAGE
• Literal translation: “To make cheese out of it”
• Meaning: To make a big deal about something
9: SE PERDRE LES CHÈVRES
• Literal translation: “To lose your goats”
• Meaning: To lose your train of thought, or to lose concentration
10: ÇA NE CASSE PAS TROIS PATTES À UN CANARD
• Literal translation: “It doesn’t break three legs of a duck”
• Meaning: It’s nothing special, or not worth writing home about
The French have a way with words, and a good deal of imagination to boot. Incorporate these idioms into conversation with your francophone friends, and you’re sure to come off as highly informed and effortlessly chic. Bonne chance!
