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French expression of the day: Humeur de chien

The Local France
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French expression of the day: Humeur de chien
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond"

We love dogs, but this French phrase isn't one that you would want to be called.

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Why do I need to know humeur de chien?

It's one of the many common animal-related expressions that aren't self-explanatory.

What does it mean?

Humeur de chien translates to 'dog mood', which is a French way of saying that someone is acting like a real grouch.

It's slightly counterintuitive seeing as the animal also known as 'man's best friend' isn't a pet you would immediately think of as being in a foul mood. Think of a dog and you see an easy-going, tail-wagging creature, overcome with excitement just because you walked in the door.

But times have changed and this expression goes back to the 1900s when the dog was seen as an aggressive animal that you didn't want to get on the wrong side of.

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Use it like this

You use is as saying that someone is d'une humeur de chien - 'of one dog mood'

Je vous préviens, j'ai mal dormi cette nuit et je suis d'une humeur de chien. - I warn you, I slept badly last night and I'm in a foul mood.

Mon mec est toujours d'une humeur de chien  lorsque son équipe perd. - My boyfriend is always in a foul mood when his team loses.

Donne-lui une tartine, sinon elle sera d'une humeur de chien avant le dîner. - Give her a toast, otherwise she'll be in a strop before dinner. 

READ MORE: 15 everyday French expressions inspired by animals

Synonyms

Sale humeur - dirty mood (bad mood)

Mauvaise humeur - bad mood

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