10 French idioms that help you sound French! | EUROtoday

Idioms, or idiomatic expressions, phrases and sentences that aren’t meant to be taken actually usually have a cultural which means behind them. They exist in all languages ​​and are sometimes a part of on a regular basis language and dialog! They do not actually make sense when you learn every phrase individually, however they’ve an implied which means. We requested Manon de Witte who teaches French classes on-line at French Coffee Break, to share a few of the mostly used idioms in French, some key phrases that French folks use day by day, and which can help you to sound French – and converse like a neighborhood .

Have love at first sight

Literally: to have a thunderbolt

No, it isn’t a meteorological disaster, however a sense. Like lightning, which is a sudden, instantaneous phenomenon, this expression means “falling in love at first sight”, immediately.

Romantic, is not it?

As an instance of how you would possibly use it in French “When Thomas saw Julie, he knew she was the woman of his life. It was love at first sight.” When Thomas noticed Julie, he knew that she was the lady for him. It was love at first sight.”

Have a break

Literally: to have a blow or knock from a bar

There are a number of expressions with the phrase “coup”. Here, actually, a blow from a bar could be a bit violent. But to the French, everybody is aware of that it figuratively means “to have a breake” means to be all of the sudden drained, to really feel an surprising fatigue.

As an instance, you may say “I always have a coffee when I’m feeling bored.” I at all times have a espresso after I all of the sudden come over all exhausted.

The phrase coup options rather a lot in idioms, as an example coup de mou – feeling sluggish

To wait

We all know a “leek” is a inexperienced vegetable. But the verb “poireauter” or typically we are saying “faire le poireau” (“to do the leek”) has nothing to do with the vegetable. It means “to wait” (informally), often as a consequence of a delay.

For instance, “I had an appointment with Antoine but he was late. I waited for an hour in the cold !” I had a gathering with Antoine, however he was late. I needed to look forward to an hour within the chilly!

To skip courses

Literally: to dry courses

No, you do not actually “dry” courses with a hair dryer. This expression means you are intentionally lacking courses, you aren’t attending courses voluntarily.

Example: “The high school principal called me this morning because my son was absent from math class this morning. What a surprise, it’s the first time he’s skipped class !” The principal on the college referred to as me on this morning as a result of my son was absent from maths class this morning. What a shock – it is the primary time he is missed a category.

Sleeping in (or sleeping in)

Literally: to do the fats morning

You know that candy pleasure of waking up peacefully on a Sunday morning at 11am with out an alarm… Well, if you do, you have already accomplished a “sleep in” (= to sleep late).

Example: “My 15 year old son always sleeps in, on Sundays he doesn’t wake up until 11 a.m. or noon !” My 15-year-old son at all times sleeps in late, on Sundays he by no means wakes up till 11 am and even mid-day!

To be dynamic / To be dynamic

“Being boosted)” is just not, as actually translated, to have a piston. It is in actual fact a strategy to get a job, an internship, a promotion, a favor…as a result of you know somebody who recommends you, when you have connections and somebody’s suggestion to get a bonus.

Example: “It’s not fair, my colleague got a promotion even though he works less than me… I’m sure he’s busy! His father knows the boss.” It’s not honest, my colleague has been promoted though he would not work as exhausting as me – I’m positive he acquired the job by means of favouritism. His dad is aware of the boss.

Search midday to 2 p.m.

Literally: to search for midday at 2pm

As with many idiomatic expressions, this one has no actual literal which means, however it’s nonetheless broadly utilized by French audio system. “Search noon to two p.m.” means needlessly selecting the difficult choice, searching for issues when there are none.

Don’t fear about midday to 2 p.m.: for the vacations, e book a lodge with breakfast included and you’ll have peace of thoughts!

Being on the finish of your rope

Literally: to be on the finish of the roll

A roll consists of sheets, of paper for instance. When you have arrived on the final sheet, you are actually on the “end of the roll”. Figuratively talking, this implies (familiarly) that you are exhausted, discouraged, don’t have any vitality left. You have reached the restrict of your capabilities… Let’s hope you do not have to make use of this expression!

Example: Doctors and nurses have been making a number of effort for the reason that begin of the Covid-19 pandemic… They are on the finish of their rope. I perceive why they’re hanging. The docs and nurses made large efforts for the reason that begin of the pandemic of Covid 19 – they don’t have any vitality left. I perceive why they’re going on strike.

Have goosebumps

Literally: to have gooseflesh

“Having goosebumps” means goosebumps or goose pimples.

Example: “I can’t listen to Jacques Brel without getting goosebumps.” I can by no means hearken to Jacques Brel with out getting goosebumps.

To get on one’s nerves

Literally: to interrupt somebody’s toes

To break somebody’s toes is to bother, hassle, or strongly irritate that particular person. If you are disturbed, aggravated by somebody, you can say they’re “breaking your feet” – it is a casual expression).

Example: My neighbor annoys me each night time with the amount of her TV! My neighbor is driving me nuts together with her tv turned up so loud.

The expression gave start to the adjective “annoying”. To be a ache within the ass = to be a ache within the ass

My colleague Sandra is a ache, she at all times arrives late for conferences! My colleague Sandra is so annoying, she’s at all times late for our get collectively!

Using phrases like this that native French audio system use day by day, improves your French language abilities!

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