The 20 most common French phrases to help you speak like a native (2023)

If you listen to the French talking to each other, there will be times when you scratch your head and say, 'What the hell are you talking about? A guy put a rabbit on you?” The French love their idioms and use them a lot in everyday life. As a French learner, it is necessary (and fun) to learn them.

Some "French idioms" (that's what the French call idioms, which translates to "French idioms") have an easy to guess meaning. And some are so whimsical that there's no way to tell without learning them first or asking a Frenchman.French languages ​​are so uniquethat they are listedthe best phrases in the worldin the book "Idiomancy".

Also, French people like to use random animals and foods in their languages. If you are a visual person and you start imagining the literal meaning of expressions in your head, you will laugh out loud.

So let's learn some great French phrases!In this article, I list some of the most common French phrases. From the most common ones to those using food and animals, use them whenever appropriate to sound like a native speaker!

common french idioms

What I mean by "general" is that these expressions do not mention any specific animal or food. Some may sound completely arbitrary, so I'll do my best to explain the connection and/or origins of the languages ​​to you.

but sinceThe French language is old, and these languages ​​have passed through generations, it can be difficult for us to track them down to fully understand the why and how.

Either way, they're still fun to learn!

1. It works

Literal translation: it works.
Figurative translation: "works", but also "understands" or "okay".

You'll hear this a lot when you're watching a French movie. It's extremely versatile because you can use it in so many ways.

I fixed the toaster and now it's working again.

Translation: I fixed the toaster and now it's working again.

X: I'll pick you up tomorrow morning at 8am, so be prepared.
J: It works.

Translation: X: I'll pick you up tomorrow morning at 8, so be ready.
Y: Understood/okay.

However, 'Ça marche', in the second definition of the term, is slang. Sometimes, and this is more informal than "ça marche", you can also use:

OK

to say 'understood' or 'okay'.

2. Being on the moon

Literal translation: to be on the moon
Figurative translation: daydreaming, not paying attention.

That's easy to guess, isn't it? Sometimes the French also use it for the same meaning:be in the clouds- which literally means "head in the air", but actually means "to be distracted".

X: Did you understand what I just told you?
Y: What? Sorry, I was just too happy.

X: Did you understand what I just told you?
Y: What? I'm sorry, I was dreaming.

My husband is so ignorant he lost his wallet five times.

My husband is so distracted that he has lost his wallet five times.

3. It costs an arm and a leg

Literal translation: It costs an arm.
Figurative translation: It's super expensive.

I know there is an identical phrase in English - it costs an arm and a leg. Who copied who? Although the French often claim to be the origin of the words so-and-so,this language is probably english.

One theory sayswhich is from WWI and WWII where the price to pay is too high - body parts or even life.

From the same category we have:

• it costs an arm and a leg(it costs the eyes in the head)
• ecosts the skin of the buttocks(it costs the skin of the ass).

This car cost me an arm/the eyes off my head/the skin off my ass.

This car was extremely expensive.

4. sleep late

Literal translation: make a fat morning.
Figurative translation: stay in bed late in the morning.

This is a useful phrase during your holiday in France so your doorman doesn't knock on your door at 9 am.

I like to sleep every Saturday.

Every Saturday I like to stay in bed late.

In the same category, but with a contradictory meaning, there is'spend a whole night'(do a white night/stay up all night).

I have to sleep through the night to finish this job.

I have to stay up all night to finish this job.

The Origin of the "Sleepless Night"it is quite interesting if you like history. It came from nobles praying all night in white robes long before they were knighted.

5. Love at first sight

Literal translation: lightning.
Figurative translation: falling in love at first sight.

Did you guess right? Use it when you feel like you've been struck by lightning when you see someone for the first time.

If it's just "moderate" love at first sight, use the following:fall for something.

It was love at first sight between him and me.

We fell madly in love at first sight, he and I.

I fell in love with this house. I think I'll buy.

I fell in love with this house at first sight. I think I'll buy.

6. Be wise as a picture

Literal translation: be they are like an image.
Figurative Translation: It is usually used to define children who are very quiet.

It's one of my favorite French phrases because I also wonder why it's not"Be wise as an angel"(stay calm like an angel). To me it makes a lot more sense and it rhymes perfectly too.

But still no one knows why the word “image” is chosen here.

The children I look after are wise as pictures. It's an easy job and I'm very happy.

The children I take care of are very quiet. It's an easy task and I'm very happy.

7. Drink like a hole

Literal translation: drinking like a hole.
Figurative translation: Well, you can guess, I guess (hint: Kermit's photo above).

You have to take him home, he's been drinking a lot.

You have to take it home; he drinks a lot.

French expressions involving animals

Be prepared to die laughing.

I think some of the funniest French phrases are your animal idioms. Some of them are bizarre, borderline geniuses - and you're going to love them.

1. Put someone

Literal translation: put a rabbit in someone.
Figurative translation: lift someone up (often used in the dating/romance scene).

If you have been waiting for this from the beginning of the article, then here it is. It's worth the wait, isn't it?

He brought me a rabbit. I waited for him at the restaurant for two hours.

He dumped me. I waited for him at the restaurant for two hours.

But why rabbits? Apparently,People use the word "lapin" to avoid using a bad word that rhymes with it.🇧🇷 Obviously I can't repeat the curse word here guys. Pardon.

2. It's freezing

Literal translation: It's duck cold (I'm not even kidding)
Figurative translation: it's super cold

When I first heard that expression, I thought: what did the poor duck do to be associated with a very cold day?

The most accepted theoryexplains that this expression comes from the day when duck hunting usually started in November – it was the beginning of the cold winter.

Let's stay indoors today, it's too cold.

We'll stay home today; it's super cold outside.

If you are feeling bad because of the innocent ducks, you can use the following:It's freezing(it's very cold).

3. Pigs were not raised together

Literal translation: We don't raise pigs together.
Figurative translation: You should respect me more, I'm not your friend, or we don't have ancestors.

If you read reviews online, you'll see this language quite often. You use it to remind someone not to treat you like an idiot or to remind them to use "vous" not "tu" when talking to you.

Sir, I find you disrespectful. You have no right to call me familiar, we don't raise pigs together.

Sir, I find you very rude. You have no right to say 'do it' to me; Please be more respectful.

4. Call a spade a spade

Literal translation: call a cat a cat.
Figurative translation: say it like it is.

This is a relevant phrase in this age when "political correctness" gets so much attention. Basically it means not being afraid to call things/people what they are.

X: The number of refugees in France has multiplied in the last 10 years.
Y: Let's call a spade a spade. They are not refugees, but immigrants.

X: The number of refugees in France has multiplied in the last ten years.
Y: Let's call it what it is. They are not refugees; they are immigrants.

5. Let's get back to business

Literally translated: Let's go back to our sheep.
Figurative translation: let's get back to the matter at hand.

It also makes you scratch your head: why sheep? There are many animals that rhyme with "Revenons" like "lions". Sometimes you just have to accept it for what it is, right?

We have strayed too far from our topic. Back on topic.

We have strayed too far from our topic. Let's get back to the subject itself.

6. Be a coward

Literal translation: to be a wet chicken.
Figurative translation: to be a coward.

This is popular with children and young people to tease each other. If you're too scared to do something that all your friends are doing, you risk being called a wet chicken.

X: You have to tell her you like her.
Y: But I'm really afraid of being rejected.
X: Oh, you're just a coward.

X: You should tell her you like her.
Y: But I'm really afraid of being rejected.
X: Oh, you're just a coward.

French expressions involving food

It's obvious that the French love food, right? to hertake food seriously.

So it's to be expected that many French languages ​​revolve around food. Here is a list of just a fraction of the many French culinary expressions.

1. Mustard gets into (someone's) nose

Literal translation: The mustard goes up the nose (ouch).
Figurative translation: get really angry.

It's one of those "aha" moments. You will immediately understand the relationship between literal and figurative translations. I mean, that's the feeling when you smoke through your nose, like you've put something hot in it.

He dared lie to me for the umpteenth time. At that moment, I felt mustard fill my nostrils.

He dared lie to me for the umpteenth time. At that moment, I could feel that he was losing his temper.

2. Failure

Literal translation: fall into the apples.
Figurative translation: fainting, losing consciousness.

Yes, falling for apples is unlikely, so why apples?According to a theory, the word "pommes" is a substitute for "pâmer" here. The latter means impotence and is an old word that is no longer used.

It was so hot that she fainted.

It was extremely hot that she fainted.

3. Sell like hot cakes

Literal translation: sold as small bread.
Figurative translation: to be in high demand/to be sold very easily.

There is a similar expression in English: to sell like hotcakes. Both relate to something that people love so much that you can sell it for pretty much any price you want.

Despite the rather high price, this product sells like hotcakes.

Despite being quite expensive, many people buy this product.

4. Get a salty note

Literal translation: getting a salty bill.
Figurative translation: received a huge surprise bill.

This is what you use when you have an unexpectedly large bill to pay. For example, if you grab a beer from your hotel room minibar, you could end up with a hefty bill.

He got a salty note from his wedding photographer.

He got a huge bill from his wedding photographer.

5. Not your onions

Literal translation: These are not your onions.
Figurative translation: none of your business.

Just a warning: this is a rude way to tell someone to mind their own business. For example, avoid telling your boss.

Stop asking me these questions. It's not your onions.

Stop asking me these questions. It doesn't affect you.

6. Not my thing

Literal translation: not my thing.
Figurative translation: Since it's the same as English, I think you can guess what it means.

Superhero movies are not my thing.

Superhero movies are not my thing.

7. Earn peanuts

Literal translation: make peanuts.
Figurative translations: received a very small salary.

I did not find any reference to the origin of this expression. But if I could hazard a guess, I'd say this one refers to how a circus monkey gets paid in peanuts after hard work.

Your sister would like to find another job because she is making peanuts at the moment.

Your sister would like to find another job as she has a very low salary at the moment.

How to use French idioms correctly

It takes some practice to use them in the right context at the right time. What I like to do when I'm learning to use idioms iswatch french moviesor TV programs or listen to French radio!

In movies/tv shows/radio shows they talk like in real life. So they are the perfect tool for learning about French idioms and evencolloquial words/phrases!

Books are also a great resource.to learn more about using idioms in context.

You can also participate in French language forums (e.g.This one) or comment on blog posts. If you feel it's appropriate, include a sentence or two.

If you use them wrong and someone calls you, no problem.🇧🇷 It happens to everyone.

It's actually a good thing because now you've learned NOT to use that particular language like that. Don't be discouraged!

One last thing...

If you want to practice pronouncing these phrases, contact our pronunciation trainersSpeakwill be happy to help! We have native French teachers who will help you correct any pronunciation errors before they are finally corrected.

Good luck friends!