Wouldn’t it is embarrassing to yell “I have always been horny” to your French friend in the place of “I eat in a dirty method? ”. As impractical because it appears, it really occurred to a buddy of mine.
To prevent (hilarious) errors, listed below are 13 sentences and terms you really need to never ever state in French. Until you genuinely wish to feel embarrassing needless to say.
1. Tu es bonne
Congratulating your pals is an idea that is good however you have to be careful once you take action in French.
“Tu es bonne”, thought to a woman are frequently interpreted as “you are good…in bed”, and that is the most courteous interpretation.
If you ever like to congratulate a feminine friend, don’t forget to plainly explain exacltly what the buddy is great at.
Or simply just avoid this phrase and make use of the safer “tu es doue(e)” (you are gifted).
Wouah, elle est bonne ta soeur! QUOI?
Elle chante bien
Wow, your cousin is great
Take a look at Bien vs Bon: What Type if you utilize? To find out more about different how to say “good” in French.
2. Connard/ canard
French learners frequently mistake “canard” and “connard”. Two terms with a meaning that is radically different.
While “canard” means “duck”, “connard” means jerk.
You might desire to avoid requesting a jerk when you look at the restaurant.
Bonjour monsieur, je vous sers du canard ou du poulet?
Du connard s’il vous plait
Hello sir, do you are served by me duck or chicken?
3. Baiser
You certainly think that “baiser” means “to kiss”, and that utilizing that term could be actually adorable.
While “un baiser” does mean “a kiss”, “baiser” used as being a verb means “to f***”.
Less glamorous, right?
Consider this short article to understand the 2 and don’ts of French greetings.
4. Je suis chaud(e)
In English, “I’m hot” implies that you’re…well hot. In French though, “je suis chaude” (I’m hot said by a female) means horny” that is“I’m.
If you’re a female and wish to say you’re hot, utilize “J’ai chaud” (lit: I have actually hot) rather.
This really is one of the many instances when the verb “to be” in English becomes “to have” in French.
- I’m hungry j’ai faim| j’ai that i (lit: I have hunger)
- I’m thirsty j’ai soif (lit: We have thirst)
5. Preservatif
You would like the food without preservatives?
Then you can be lured to ask for food “sans preservatifs” thinking you’re utilizing one of several words that are french meaning is identical in French and English.
Regrettably for you personally, “preservatif” is just a faux-ami, one of many terms whoever meaning is radically different in French as well as in English despite being written very nearly the same manner.
Once you request food “sans preservatifs”, you ask for meals without condoms.
Excusez-moi, est-ce que ce plat contient des preservatifs?
Pardon me, performs this meal contain condoms?
Non, par contre il contient des conservateurs
No, but it has preservatives
6. Chatte
Kitties are adorable, right?
“Chat” (cat) is among the words that are first usually learn in French.
Exacltly what the French program might not have mentioned though is that the version that is female “chatte” has two definitions.
It’s both the animal that is female feminine intercourse!
To prevent confusion, don’t usage this term!
7. Putain
This will be a word that is magical.
Once the movie below demonstrates, it is possible to absolutely use it for everything, but most certainly not with every person.
Utilized alone, it indicates you’re tired, angry or frustrated.
Utilized to generally share somebody, it indicates “whore”.
Whatever meaning you select, understand that this term is incredibly casual!
You problems if you ever go on American TV, using “putain” could cause. Ask Jean Dujardin exactly what he believes about this!
8. Ca suce
Tu penses quoi de ce movie? Il suce!
Exactly just just What do you consider about any of it film? It sucks!
Appears proper, right?
Well, maybe not exactly…
In French “sucer” (to draw) primarily features a meaning that is sexual.
Next time you intend to state one thing sucks, say “c’est nul” (it’s lame) rather.
9. Je suis plein(e)
You simply consumed in a delightful French restaurant rue Mouffetard (a pleasant road in the heart of Paris) along with your belly is mostly about to explode.
Pleased with your self, you appear at your French friend and say “Je suis plein(e)” (i will be full).
Comprehensive? Full of just exactly what?
Your friend miracles.
You just can’t say “je suis plein” in French,
It appears weird.
Rather you might desire to use:
- Je n’ai plus faim (lit: we don’t have hunger any longer)
- J’ai trop mange (we ate a lot of)
10. Jouir
That is amazing your French discussion partner simply asked you in the event that you enjoyed your check out of Paris.
After opening a dictionary, that“jouir” was found by you means “to enjoy”.
And that means you proudly respond to your friend “oui j’ai bien joui”.
Your buddy begins laughing and you’re confused.
You really just stated “yes an orgasm” was had by me.
“Jouir” just means “to enjoy” in an official context. In most cases, French people make use of it to state they’d an orgasm, not saying they enjoyed something.
11. Cochonne
We once had meal with a lot of Korean and French buddies. At some time, noodles dropped on a single regarding the girls that are korean t-shirt and she yelled “JE SUIS COCHONNE”.
She desired to state she consumed in a dirty means. She didn’t understand that “cochonne” frequently has a meaning that is entirely different…
That it also means that you eat in a dirty way if used as an adjective (it’s rarely used as such though) if you open a French dictionary, you will read that “cochonne” is the feminine form of “cochon” (pig) and.
Exactly what your dictionary does not let you know is the fact that it offers a far more typical and even more embarrassing meaning. For the majority of people that are french kids), “cochonne” means “someone whom really really loves sex”.
Then when my friend yelled ‘je suis cochonne”, individuals didn’t realize “I ate in a dirty way”, but “ we love sex”.
12. J’ai envie de toi
When French Together audience Candy said to her buddy “j’ai envie de toi”, she intended she envied her buddy.
Just just What Candy didn’t understand was that “j’ai envie de toi” doesn’t suggest “I envy you”, but “i desire to rest with you”. This is exactly what you tell your companion, not to ever your buddy.
To express “I envy you”, you’d say “je t’envie” or “je vous envie” in an official context.
13. Beau cul
To a international ear, “beaucoup” and “beau cul” may seem comparable, but they’ve radically various definitions. “Beaucoup” means “very”, while beau cul” means ass” that is“nice.
The next time you thank someone, be sure you say “merci beaucoup” rather than “merci beau cul”. You certainly will avoid a situation that is awkward.
Maybe you have made funny errors in French? Share your stories when you look at the feedback below!
Benjamin Houy
Benjamin Houy is really a native speaker that is french the founder of French Together. He helps English speakers learn the 20% of French they should realize 80% of conversations and talk French with full confidence. Additionally, you will find him offering running a blog suggestions about Grow With Less.
242 ideas on “13 Awkward French Mistakes That Will Make You want you had been Invisible”
On dit “agent de conservation” et“conservateurs” that is non!