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SOCIAL

French words you shouldn’t translate literally

French words you shouldn’t translate literally

French has a plethora of words that if you translated literally into English could cause a fair bit of confusion and hilarity for language learners. We’ve picked out some of the best. Let us know of any more.

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<b>Soutien-gorge (bra):</b> Ladies, want to buy nice lingerie? You’ll be sure to find a pretty “throat-support” in a French boutique.Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Amuse-bouche (appetizer):</b> Want a yummy little treat before dinner? Then why not try a "mouth fun”. Photo: Kent Wang/Flickr
<b>Pâté de maisons (Block of Houses):</b> More proof that the French are food lovers: if you go for a walk round the block, this is a walk round “a paté of houses”. Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Doigts de pieds (toes):</b> What are toes, if not “feet fingers”? Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Souffre-douleur (scapegoat, whipping boy):</b> In France, scapegoats have it worse than elsewhere perhaps, as they are society’s "sufferers of pain".Photo: ZZZZ/Flickr
<b>Un bleu (bruise):</b> When you get hurt, the little mark that appears is simply called a “blue”. Photo: Flickr
<b>Fermeture Eclair (zipper):</b> When it gets cold in Paris, you'll be able zip up your coat in true French fashion with what sounds at first glance like a “lightning closer”. But actually Eclair comes from a brand name, rather than the word "éclair" for lightning. A zipper could also be "fermature à glissière" which would translate literally as "a sliding closure".Photo: Peddhapati
<b>Maître-nageur (swimming teacher/lifeguard):</b> He teaches your children how to swim and rescues you in case of danger. What a hero, a real “master swimmer”.Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Pomme de terre (potato):</b> What is yellow and good to eat? An “earth apple” of course.Photo: Antti Lindstrm/Flickr
<b>Raton laveur (racoons):</b> These cute little animals are pretty clean: The French even call them “little washing rats”. Photo: Brendan Lally
<b>Aide-mémoire (check-list/reminder):</b>  If you keep forgetting everything, then the French can help you. Get yourself a “memory helper”. And if you really have trouble getting organized in your daily tasks, opt for a “pense-bête” (literally “stupid thought”) which actually means a reminder.Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Doudou (security blanket):</b> The baby is crying. Quick, find his “soft-soft” so he can cuddle with it.Photo: Shutterstock
<b>Chef-d’oeuvre (masterpiece):</b> It’s easy to be amazed by a nice painting, especially when it’s the "boss's work".Photo: Grafik_Ofis_Ajans/flickr
<b>Rabat-joie (party pooper):</b> In France, party poopers are seen as such a threat they're called “joy-reducers” or, in another translation they are "joy flaps". Photo: Chadloftis/Flickr
<b>Garde-robe (wardrobe):</b>  For all the fashion-victims out there, you can add new fancy items to your “dress-keeper” after a long day of shopping.
<b>Casse-pieds (pain in the butt):</b> Your neighbour is getting on your nerves. What a “feet-breaker”.Photo: Snr halldrsson
<b>Cocotte-minute (pressure cooker):</b> Want to cook a nice casserole dish in just a few minutes? Why don’t you try using a “minute casserole” or even "minute chicken"? Photo: Sean Evans/Flickr
<b>Porte-monnaire (purse):</b> Where do you carry your money when you walk in the street? In you “money-carrier” of course.Photo: Shutterstock


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