French word of the day: Grisaille
As the summer comes to an end, you're bound to see more of this French word.
Why do I need to know grisaille?
Because whether it is to talk about the gloomy sky or a dull atmosphere, the French love to use it.
What does it mean?
Grisaille translates to 'greyness' or 'dullness' and is a versatile word that can mean different things depending on the context.
It is usually used to describe cloudy and grey weather, but it can also be a way of characterising a situation as 'colourless', 'monotonous', 'gloomy' or 'dull'.
The French often refer to the grisaille parisienne, which can be translated as ‘the grey everyday in Paris’ (as life can be both quite tedious and stressful in the capital when you're established there and not visiting as a tourist).
READ ALSO: Why I love the French habits of scolding and complaining
In art, grisaille describes a painting that is composed of grey tones only.
Use it like this
Viens nous rejoindre dans le Sud pour échapper à la grisaille parisienne ! – Come join us in the South to escape the grey everyday in Paris!
Cette grisaille donne beaucoup de cachet à ce tableau. – These grey tones give a lot of character to this painting.
La grisaille quotidienne nous empêche d’être heureux, changeons les choses ! - Gloomy daily life prevents us from being happy, let's change things!
Synonyms
Monotonie – Monotony
Morosité – Gloominess
Mélancolie – Melancholy
Tristesse – Sadness
By Olivia Sorrel Dejerine
See Also
Why do I need to know grisaille?
Because whether it is to talk about the gloomy sky or a dull atmosphere, the French love to use it.
What does it mean?
Grisaille translates to 'greyness' or 'dullness' and is a versatile word that can mean different things depending on the context.
It is usually used to describe cloudy and grey weather, but it can also be a way of characterising a situation as 'colourless', 'monotonous', 'gloomy' or 'dull'.
The French often refer to the grisaille parisienne, which can be translated as ‘the grey everyday in Paris’ (as life can be both quite tedious and stressful in the capital when you're established there and not visiting as a tourist).
READ ALSO: Why I love the French habits of scolding and complaining
In art, grisaille describes a painting that is composed of grey tones only.
Use it like this
Viens nous rejoindre dans le Sud pour échapper à la grisaille parisienne ! – Come join us in the South to escape the grey everyday in Paris!
Cette grisaille donne beaucoup de cachet à ce tableau. – These grey tones give a lot of character to this painting.
La grisaille quotidienne nous empêche d’être heureux, changeons les choses ! - Gloomy daily life prevents us from being happy, let's change things!
Synonyms
Monotonie – Monotony
Morosité – Gloominess
Mélancolie – Melancholy
Tristesse – Sadness
By Olivia Sorrel Dejerine
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