Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Lifestyle

7 Unusual French Words And Phrases You Should Know Before Buying Those Plane Tickets To France

Not your usual "Hello", "Please", and "Thank you," but definitely words and phrases worth knowing.

Andria Padilla

Feb 29, 2020

The State University of New York at Stony Brook

7 Unusual French Words And Phrases You Should Know Before Buying Those Plane Tickets To France

https://unsplash.com/photos/R5scocnOOdM

After booking a four-day long stay in an Air BnB in Montreal, Canada for this upcoming Spring Break, I decided to brush up on the three years of conversational French my high school years graciously awarded me with. This ended up being for naught, as there is basically no language barrier for any American tourist planning to visit Canada in the slightest, but doing my research on certain French words and phrases rekindled my deep love for the romance language. In this listicle, I compiled seven French words and phrases you absolutely need to know in order to gain an appreciation for the nuanced and complex tongue.

Joie de vivre

https://giphy.com/gifs/RobertEBlackmon-funny-suspicious-merci-KGZi31hJc4owsz7e05

Literally meaning "joy of living"; this cheerfully optimistic phrase is mainly used to describe one who takes great delight in being alive and takes full enjoyment in the life we lead - something we should all strive for.

Nombrilisme

A more modern and definitely one of the stranger words on this list, "nombrilisme" directly translates to "navel-gazing". The word comes from the Greek "Omphaloskepsis", meaning contemplation of one's own navel as an aid to meditation. Nowadays, the word is typically meant to self-absorption or self-obsession.

Dépaysé

https://giphy.com/gifs/season-16-the-simpsons-16x11-3o6MbsT5NgoQAUldPq

This word has no direct "word" translation in English, yet is understood to mean "to be removed from one's habitual surroundings". Following up on this definition, this word is also used to describe feeling out of one's element or feeling disoriented.

Flâner

"Flâner" in French means "to stroll, promenade, lounge, or loiter" directly, but other definitions have it written as "to get into something heedlessly". This verb was brought into popularity in the 19th century among the literary crowd in Paris and was used to describe strolling the streets aimlessly yet basking in the simple beauty of sightseeing.

Raplapla

https://giphy.com/gifs/dexter-french-whispering-uxBuu0emfh1II

Other than being extremely fun to say (just try it, "raplapla!"), this word could be translated several different ways - "tired, worn out, flat". So, basically, both you and your hair could be "raplapla".

L'esprit de l'escalier

Easily the most beautiful French phrase on this list (if not in the entire language), its usage in English has become increasingly more common due to its precise definition and the fact that there is no English phrase to match it equivalently. Used to describe the feeling of thinking about all the things you should've said after you've already left a conversation, I'm sure anyone, no matter what language they speak, could coin this term in their daily lives.

Nostalgie de la boue

https://giphy.com/gifs/random-french-cest-la-vie-VXfF9sCuGhe80

This phrase was first coined by French poet Émilie Augier, and it directly translates into "longing for the mud". Another expression that shouldn't be taken literally, "nostalgie de la boue" refers to the desire for wanting a simpler life than one has and an attraction to the crude and depraved.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter

It's not all morning coffees and singing along to the radio.

Bridgewater State University

755

The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter

morethanwheels

I've been in college for four years now. I spent half my time as a commuter and half as a resident so I've experienced both sides of the housing spectrum. One thing I've learned comparing the two is that my struggles as a commuter far outweigh anything I went through while living on campus. Commuters have to deal with the problems school brings along with a slew of other issues; I've filled up my gas tank in the worst kind of weather conditions and napped in random places in public more times than I'm proud to say of. This is a list of some of the most challenging aspects of being a commuter.

Keep Reading...Show less

commuter struggles

Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

SUNY New Paltz

17729

StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less

new years

Recommended for you

7 Unusual French Words And Phrases You Should Know Before Buying Those Plane Tickets To France

Not your usual "Hello", "Please", and "Thank you," but definitely words and phrases worth knowing.

In This Article:

Joie de vivre

Nombrilisme

Dépaysé

Flâner

Raplapla

L'esprit de l'escalier

Nostalgie de la boue

Subscribe to our Newsletter

10 things that most incoming college freshmen have no idea about.

Your Schedule

The Library

Time Management

Registration

Housing

The Dining Hall

Teachers

Clubs

High School Friends

Finals

It's not all morning coffees and singing along to the radio.

You can't just go to your room to take a nap in the middle of your classes.

Having to spend all your extra cash on gas for your car.

Speaking of money, you probably don't have a meal plan so you're forced to scrounge up some change or mooch off of your friends.

It can be harder to maintain the friendships you make with people from class.

Finding a parking spot.

It can be harder to be involved on campus because between your one, two, or three jobs and school you don't have much free time.

When you try to be super involved on campus, it can kill your sleep schedule.

It's impossible to do homework at home, but staying on campus isn't an option sometimes.

There are surveys and events that you can't participate in because you're a commuter.

Group projects are the bane of your existence.

Traffic.

Your backpack rivals that of a survivalist trekking in the woods.

Driving all the way to campus to find a note on the door of your classroom saying class was cancelled.

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1. When he just wanted bacon from his George Foreman grill

2. When he had money (and Jan) issues

3. When he got upstaged at Phyllis' wedding

4. When he unintentionally saved Meredith from rabies

5. When he wore a "bisexual" suit

6. When he had to apologize to Jesus

7. When his GPS drove him into a lake

8. When he had to deal with Ryan as his boss

9. When he couldn't fulfill his most generous empty promise

10. When this happened

11. When he struggled with a X-Mas break up

12. When he had to defend his generosity

13. When he threw a classy Christmas party for Holly but she had a boyfriend

14. When he had to stand up to peer pressure

15. When Toby was "Toby-ish"

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Subscribe to our
Newsletter