30 Funny French Phrases You Should Learn
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Learning French can be an exciting adventure, filled with elegant phrases, poetic expressions, and—believe it or not—plenty of humor! While French is often regarded as the language of love and sophistication, it also has its share of amusing sayings that might leave you chuckling. Whether you’re planning a trip to France, want to impress your French-speaking friends, or just enjoy the quirks of languages, this list of 30 funny French phrases is perfect for adding some flair to your vocabulary. Let’s dive into these humorous expressions and what they really mean.
1. “Tomber dans les pommes”
Literal Translation: To fall into the apples
Actual Meaning: To faint
Imagine someone fainting right into a pile of apples! This charming expression dates back to the 19th century and is still commonly used today. Next time you feel lightheaded, just tell someone you’re about to “fall into the apples.”
2. “Avoir le cafard”
Literal Translation: To have the cockroach
Actual Meaning: To feel down or depressed
This phrase is a fun way to express sadness. Instead of saying you’re feeling blue, why not say you’ve got the cockroach? It might just lift your spirits a bit!
3. “Poser un lapin”
Literal Translation: To put down a rabbit
Actual Meaning: To stand someone up
Standing someone up on a date or appointment is never fun, but the French somehow make it sound amusing by using a phrase that involves a rabbit. No actual rabbits are harmed, but your plans might be!
4. “Avoir une araignée au plafond”
Literal Translation: To have a spider on the ceiling
Actual Meaning: To be a little crazy
This is a polite way of saying someone’s got a few screws loose. It paints a vivid picture, doesn’t it? Next time you encounter someone a bit eccentric, just imagine that spider lurking above.
5. “Les carottes sont cuites”
Literal Translation: The carrots are cooked
Actual Meaning: It’s all over
When something is done and dusted, the French declare that the carrots are cooked. It’s a final and humorous way to admit that a situation is beyond saving.
6. “Se faire rouler dans la farine”
Literal Translation: To get rolled in flour
Actual Meaning: To be fooled
If you’ve been duped or taken for a ride, in French, you’ve been “rolled in the flour.” It’s a great expression to use when you’ve been tricked but can still laugh about it.
7. “Casser les pieds à quelqu’un”
Literal Translation: To break someone’s feet
Actual Meaning: To annoy someone
Breaking someone’s feet sounds quite violent, but it’s just a colorful way of saying someone is being really annoying. You might use this when someone’s being a real pain in the neck—or feet, in this case.
8. “Ne pas être dans son assiette”
Literal Translation: To not be in one’s plate
Actual Meaning: To feel out of sorts
When you’re feeling a bit off or under the weather, you might say you’re not in your plate. This quirky phrase is often used to describe someone who’s not feeling like themselves.
9. “En faire tout un fromage”
Literal Translation: To make a whole cheese out of it
Actual Meaning: To make a big deal out of something
The French love their cheese, but even they recognize when someone’s making a mountain out of a molehill. If someone’s blowing things out of proportion, they’re “making a whole cheese out of it.”
10. “Être haut comme trois pommes”
Literal Translation: To be as tall as three apples
Actual Meaning: To be very short
This cute phrase is often used to describe children or anyone of short stature. It’s a gentle and humorous way to point out that someone’s vertically challenged.
11. “Avoir d’autres chats à fouetter”
Literal Translation: To have other cats to whip
Actual Meaning: To have other things to do
No cats are actually harmed with this phrase! It’s just a vivid way to say that you’ve got more important things to worry about.
12. “Chercher la petite bête”
Literal Translation: To look for the tiny beast
Actual Meaning: To nitpick
When someone is being overly critical or looking for faults in everything, they’re “looking for the tiny beast.” This phrase is perfect for those who can’t help but focus on the small stuff.
13. “Se mettre le doigt dans l’œil”
Literal Translation: To put one’s finger in the eye
Actual Meaning: To be completely wrong
This expression is used when someone is completely off the mark. It’s a playful way to tell someone they’ve made a big mistake, as if they’ve poked themselves in the eye.
14. “Avoir un poil dans la main”
Literal Translation: To have a hair in one’s hand
Actual Meaning: To be lazy
If someone has a hair in their hand, they’re so lazy that they can’t even be bothered to move their hand. It’s a humorous way to describe someone who isn’t particularly motivated.
15. “Être sur son 31”
Literal Translation: To be on one’s 31
Actual Meaning: To be dressed to the nines
When someone is dressed in their finest clothes, the French say they’re “on their 31.” The origin of this phrase is a bit of a mystery, but it’s often used to describe someone looking exceptionally sharp.
16. “Raconter des salades”
Literal Translation: To tell salads
Actual Meaning: To tell lies
When someone is spinning tall tales, the French say they’re “telling salads.” It’s a colorful way to call out someone for their less-than-honest stories.
17. “Être une bonne poire”
Literal Translation: To be a good pear
Actual Meaning: To be a sucker
Being a good pear might sound nice, but in French, it means you’re easily taken advantage of. It’s a gentle way to say someone’s a bit of a pushover.
18. “Avoir un coup de foudre”
Literal Translation: To have a bolt of lightning
Actual Meaning: To fall in love at first sight
This romantic phrase is used to describe the feeling of love at first sight. It’s like being struck by lightning—a sudden and powerful emotion.
19. “Faire la tête”
Literal Translation: To do the head
Actual Meaning: To sulk
When someone is sulking or pouting, the French say they’re “doing the head.” It’s a funny way to describe someone who’s giving you the silent treatment.
20. “Être comme un poisson dans l’eau”
Literal Translation: To be like a fish in water
Actual Meaning: To be in one’s element
When someone is perfectly comfortable in a situation, they’re “like a fish in water.” It’s a great expression to use when someone is thriving in their environment.
21. “Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez”
Literal Translation: To have the mustard rise to your nose
Actual Meaning: To get angry
When someone is getting angry, the French say the mustard is rising to their nose. It’s a vivid way to describe someone who’s about to lose their temper.
22. “Appeler un chat un chat”
Literal Translation: To call a cat a cat
Actual Meaning: To call a spade a spade
This phrase is used when someone is being brutally honest. If you’re calling a cat a cat, you’re not sugarcoating anything.
23. “Être dans les nuages”
Literal Translation: To be in the clouds
Actual Meaning: To be daydreaming
When someone is lost in thought or daydreaming, the French say they’re “in the clouds.” It’s a poetic way to describe someone who’s a bit distracted.
24. “Être à l’ouest”
Literal Translation: To be to the west
Actual Meaning: To be out of it
If someone is “to the west,” they’re confused or not paying attention. It’s a playful way to say someone’s a bit out of it.
25. “Manger comme quatre”
Literal Translation: To eat like four
Actual Meaning: To eat a lot
When someone has a huge appetite, the French say they’re eating like four people. It’s a humorous way to describe someone who really enjoys their food.
26. “Faire d’une pierre deux coups”
Literal Translation: To make two strikes with one stone
Actual Meaning: To kill two birds with one stone
This expression is used just like its English equivalent. It’s all about efficiency—achieving two goals with one action.
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27. “Avoir la tête dans les étoiles”
Literal Translation: To have your head in the stars
Actual Meaning: To be a dreamer
When someone is dreaming big or being overly idealistic, the French say they have their head in the stars. It’s a poetic way to describe someone who’s always reaching for the sky.
28. “Être dans de beaux draps”
Literal Translation: To be in nice sheets
Actual Meaning: To be in a mess
Despite the seemingly pleasant image, this phrase actually means to be in trouble. If you’re “in nice sheets,” you’ve likely found yourself in a sticky situation.
29. “Avoir le cœur sur la main”
Literal Translation: To have the heart on the hand
Actual Meaning: To be generous
This beautiful phrase describes someone who is very generous and giving. If your heart is on your hand, you’re always ready to help others.
30. “Mettre son grain de sel”
Literal Translation: To put in one’s grain of salt
Actual Meaning: To give an unsolicited opinion
When someone gives their opinion without being asked, the French say they’re “putting in their grain of salt.” It’s a polite way to point out when someone’s butting in.
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Conclusion
Learning these funny French phrases is not just about expanding your vocabulary—it’s about understanding the unique and often humorous way the French see the world. Each of these expressions offers a glimpse into French culture, showcasing their wit, creativity, and love for colorful language. So the next time you’re practicing your French, don’t forget to sprinkle in a few of these funny phrases. They’ll not only make your conversation more lively but also bring a smile to your face and to those you’re speaking with.
