Advertisement

French expression of the day: Tu parles!

The Local France
The Local France - [email protected]
French expression of the day: Tu parles!

If someone retorts "tu parles!" after you've said something, they mean something very different than stating the obvious.

Advertisement

Why do I need to know tu parles?

You should know tu parles because you might hear it in response to something you've said.

What does it mean?

Literally tu parles means ‘you’re speaking’, but when used an interjection, tu parles ! is a way of expressing incredulity or disbelief.

The best English translation is perhaps expression ‘no way’, but it can also mean ‘you must be kidding’, 'you're having a laugh', 'yeah right’ and ‘what a load of rubbish’. French people will often use it when they don’t agree with you, or are sceptical abut something you said or perhaps when they are acknowledging your joke or an ironic remark.

Here are some examples:

Les hommes politiques sont tous honnêtes - Politicians are all honest people

Tu parles ! - Yeh right, you're having a laugh!

Ta belle-mère me semble une personne très gentille - Your mother-in-law seems like a really nice person

Tu parles ! Elle me déteste depuis le début - Yeah right! She hated me right from the beginning.

Si on part maintenant je pense qu’on arrivera en temps  - If we leave now I’m sure we will get there on time.

Tu parles! Tu as oublié qu’il y a la grève? - No way! Have you forgotten that there’s a [transport] strike going on?

Synonyms

There is no vous-version of tu parles, so the expression is too colloquial to be used in front of your boss or in formal settings.

You could use vous rigolez or laissez moi rire if you want a formal response to someone you don't agree with.

Other expressions similar to tu parles that don't include a first person pronoun is the more formal mon oeil ('my eye') or the (very) colloquial mon cul ('my ass'). 

Another option is foutaise, which can be translated to 'crap' or 'bullshit'. But, as you see from the translation, you should be a little cautious when using it.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

Anonymous 2020/01/03 10:43
It may be a little old fashioned, but 'tu parles' in English is 'you don't say'

See Also