French Expressions & Idioms
Master French expressions, idioms, and colloquial language to sound like a native speaker and understand cultural nuances.
Expression Tip
French expressions often have literal meanings that differ from their actual usage. Understanding context is key to using them correctly.
Idioms
Il pleut des cordes
It's raining cats and dogs
Usage: When it's raining very heavily
Avoir un coup de foudre
To have love at first sight
Usage: When you fall in love instantly
Mettre les points sur les i
To dot the i's and cross the t's
Usage: To be very precise and clear
Avoir la main verte
To have a green thumb
Usage: To be good at gardening
Être dans la lune
To be in the clouds
Usage: To be absent-minded or daydreaming
Proverbs
Qui vivra verra
Time will tell
Usage: To express uncertainty about the future
L'habit ne fait pas le moine
Don't judge a book by its cover
Usage: Appearance can be deceiving
Mieux vaut tard que jamais
Better late than never
Usage: It's better to do something late than not at all
Qui ne risque rien n'a rien
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Usage: You have to take risks to achieve things
Slang
C'est chouette
That's cool/nice
Usage: Informal way to say something is good
C'est génial
That's awesome
Usage: Very positive expression
C'est nul
That's lame/bad
Usage: Negative expression, especially among young people
J'ai la flemme
I can't be bothered
Usage: To express laziness or lack of motivation
Business
Faire du business
To do business
Usage: General business activity
Signer un contrat
To sign a contract
Usage: Formal business agreement
Faire une réunion
To have a meeting
Usage: Business meeting
Envoyer un email
To send an email
Usage: Modern business communication
Technology
L'ordinateur
Computer
Usage: General computer
Le smartphone
Smartphone
Usage: Mobile phone
Surfer sur internet
To surf the internet
Usage: Browsing the web
Télécharger
To download
Usage: Downloading files
Travel
Réserver un billet
To book a ticket
Usage: Making travel reservations
Faire ses valises
To pack one's suitcases
Usage: Preparing for travel
Prendre l'avion
To take the plane
Usage: Flying
Louer une voiture
To rent a car
Usage: Car rental
Sports
Le football
Soccer
Usage: Most popular sport in France
Le tennis
Tennis
Usage: Popular individual sport
Le cyclisme
Cycling
Usage: Very popular in France (Tour de France)
Faire du sport
To do sports
Usage: General sports activity