Why do I need to know donner une tarte? 

To avoid a potentially painful misunderstanding. 

What does it mean? 

Donner une tarte, pronounced don-ay oon tart, literally means to give someone a tart. A lovely gesture, and at the weekends French patisseries have long queues of people waiting to buy a large tart or cake to bring to a lunch or dinner.

But this phrase has a very different meaning – to give someone a punch or a slap. 

Je vais te donner une tarte – I am going to give you a slap 

Elle m’a donne une grosse tarte – She gave me a big slap 

In some contexts, such as a bakery, this expression has the potential to cause a lot of confusion. If in doubt about whether you are going to be given a delicious tart or a slap in the face, try to read the body language and tone of voice of the person speaking.

Some people in France believe that if you bring a tarte aux fraises (strawberry tart) to a dinner party, it is a sign that you are into swinging and ready for things to get steamy – although this is almost certainly an urban myth.

Other tart-related expressions

Tarte can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is simple, easy or stupid. 

C’était de la tarte – It was easy 

C’est un film tarte – It is a stupid film

Quelle tarte – What an idiot