The most untranslatable French words and phrases to English

When learning French, you might encounter words and phrases that simply have no direct English translation. These expressions often capture unique cultural feelings or concepts, showing the richness of the French language. Discovering these untranslatable words can deepen your appreciation for both French and its culture.

Understanding these nuances ensures you convey the right message without losing meaning. Learning these words not only enhances your vocabulary but also allows you to thrive in the modern business world.

As you uncover these untranslatable words and phrases, you’ll deepen your understanding of the language and the cultural context behind each term. Get set to explore a captivating world of unique expressions that will add depth to your language learning experience.

French has many terms that don’t have a direct translation in English, making communication sometimes challenging. Some words express ideas that require several English words to explain. If you’d like to speak French like a native, here are a few notable examples:

To start with, let’s consider “bof”. Pronounced like “bohf,” it serves as a casual interjection that reflects a feeling of apathy, a lack of motivation or mild disappointment. You may have learned “comme ci, comme ça” in the past but this expression is now old-fashioned. For instance,

• “Qu’est-ce que tu penses du nouveau film d’Almodovar ? Bof, pas terrible” – What do you think of the new Almodóvar film? I wasn’t too impressed, to be honest.
• “Ça te dirait d’aller au ciné ce soir” ? Bof, pas ce soir – How about catching a movie tonight? Nah, not tonight.

If you’re interested in exploring more French slang and idioms, the new serie on Disney + Bref 2 is just what you need.

Then, in casual conversations, you might often hear people say “tiens!” quite a bit. This comes from the verb tenir (to hold) and have a lot of different meanings in various contexts such as here, take this, there you are,..We say “tenez” at the plural form or for a formal discussion. Let’s have a look at some examples :

• Tiens, voila Marie ! – Hey, there’s Marie

• Tu peux me prêter ton téléphone ? – Can you lend me your phone ?
• Tiens – Here it is

• Deux croissants s’il vous plait – Two croissants, please
• Tenez – There you are

• Tiens, je dois te dire quelque chose – Look, I have to tell you something

The term “coup de fil” or “coup de téléphone” refers to a phone call. This expression likely originated in the era when telephones were not portable and were connected to the phone network by a wire. Literally , “un coup” is a kick, a shot and “un fil” is a wire or a thread.

• Je peux passer un coup de fil ? – Can I make a phone call ?

“S’agir de” is an impersonal verb and can used when we want to describe something, it’s about, it relates to and we’re discussing something. “Agir” alone means to act. The expression “il s’agit de” can be followed by an infinitive or by a noun as follows :

• Il s’agit d’un tableau du 18ème siècle – This is a painting from the 18th century.
• Il s’agit de faire vite – It’s all about being quick

Finally, a French word that encapsulates a specific concept that doesn’t exist in English is “dépaysant”. This word conveys something unique, distinct, and unconventional. “Pays” itself is a country so something “dépaysant” brings you to another place.

• Il y a une ambiance exotique et dépaysante – There’s an exotic and refreshing atmosphere.

These examples above illustrate how language can reflect and shape a culture’s identity. Words that are hard to translate often hold cultural significance, emphasizing distinct national characteristics.

Let’s now explore key examples of the lexical enigmas with the pronouns “en”.

The verb “prier” means to pray, to beg. The French expression “Je vous en prie” carries various meanings beyond its direct translation of “you’re welcome.” Here are some contexts in which it is used:

• Polite Response: This phrase serves as a formal reply to someone expressing gratitude. It not only means “you’re welcome” but also invites further conversation or shows your readiness to help.
• Encouragement to Proceed: It can imply “please go ahead” or “feel free.” For instance, if someone is unsure about sitting down, you might say “Je vous en prie” to encourage them to take a seat.
• Offering Assistance: When you want to help someone, saying “Je vous en prie” indicates your willingness to assist. It reassures the other person that they should feel comfortable asking for help.

In essence, “Je vous en prie” is a multifaceted phrase that conveys courtesy, encouragement, and a readiness to assist, making it a key element of polite dialogue in French. We can use “Je t’en prie” to a friend or in a more casual setting.

“Ne t’en fais pas” means don’t worry about it. The pronoun “en” here can refers to worries, which is implied and therefore not explicitly said, as in “ne te fais pas de soucis“. As it’s the case for many colloquial expressions, we tend to drop the “ne”, so you could hear “T’en fais pas”.

• Je sais que tu es inquiète mais ne t’en fais pas – I know you’re upset but don’t worry
• Bien sûr que je vais les retrouver, ne vous en faites pas – Sure I’m going to find them, don’t worry

The phrase “ne pas en vouloir à quelqu’un” expresses emotions like: “Please don’t hold it against me; I truly hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me”. It’s genuinely asking the other person to see the perspective and understand the reasons for the actions.

• S’il te plait, ne m’en veux pas, j’ai complètement oublié ton anniversaire – Please don’t be mad at me, I completely forgot your birthday

When we say “j’en ai ras le bol” it means that we are feeling fed up, being tired of something, or just plain disgusted with it. The term “ras” comes from Latin and means “to shave,” while “bol” refers to a “container.” The phrase “ras le bol” describes a state where someone is extremely frustrated or at their wit’s end. It’s a feeling of exasperation that can lead to an emotional outburst. Traditionally used in rural areas during the mid-20th century, this expression originates from the practice of cutting boys’ hair with a large bowl placed on their heads; any hair that stuck out was trimmed away.

• Rien ne marche aujourd’hui, j’en ai ras le bol – Nothing seems to be going right today, and I’m really fed up with it.

Each of these key idiomatic expressions with “en” reflects the French culture and the richness of its language.

Finally, French also boasts many false friends and popular idioms to enrich your conversation. Here are some key phrases:

This colloquial expression comes from the verb “cartonner,” which figuratively means to be successful. The term originates from the cardboard used as a target in shooting booths at fairs. For instance,

• Ce nouveau livre cartonne – It’s a book that’s really making waves and it’s enjoying great success.

When you feel lazy, you could say in French “j’ai la flemme”. The origin of this expression dates back to the Middle Ages when doctors believed that certain bodily fluids affected mood and behavior. One of these fluids was “phlegm.” A person with low phlegm was seen as lacking in energy.

• J’ai la flemme de faire la vaisselle ce soir, on verra demain – I’m feeling a bit lazy about doing the dishes this evening, so I’ll just wait until tomorrow.

In the 15th century, the term “mine” was used to refer to someone’s appearance or just their face. This is how the phrase “avoir bonne mine” came about, describing people whose rosy complexion suggests good health. The negative expression “ne pas payer de mine” emerged a bit later.

• Tu as vraiment bonne mine en ce moment – You’re looking fantastic at the moment

These idioms and words not only enrich conversations but also offer insights into the values and sentiments of French speakers. Each phrase reflects a unique way of thinking and experiencing life. Would you like to learn authentic French ? Feel free to get in touch so that I can help you reach your goals !