Learn French Words That Don’t Translate Well

If you’ve ever studied a new language, you know how it can profoundly alter the way you perceive things. Sometimes, it even changes your perspective altogether! One of the best ways to gain this perspective is by learning unique phrases and words that don’t have translations in your native tongue.

French has a vast vocabulary that doesn’t translate well to English. Some words are quite rare, while others possess distinct connotations and levels of formality not found elsewhere.

1. RALER

When feeling annoyed, frustrated or angry, French has a word that can help express your emotions: raler. This word means to be in the mood for some ranting. You can use it positively to convey your dissatisfaction with the world or in a negative manner to call attention to something unpleasant in life.

2. CARRONNER

When a movie is particularly good, you can say cartonner and know it was an instant hit in the cinema. Although this word has more nuance than its English equivalent, it remains a great way to express how much you enjoyed a particular film.

3. LAST BUT NOT LEAST

If something is important but not the most essential, you can say last but not least to emphasize its significance and deserve to be mentioned. This phrase can be employed to emphasize key points in a speech or article and will surely grab people’s attention.

4. LOVE

If you’re madly in love with someone, saying l’amour is an effective way to show them you care and show your affection for them. Other ways you can show your affection include writing letters, calling regularly, sending flowers or other gestures of affection.

5. DOUDOU

To express your admiration for someone special and adorable, you can say doudou in French. This expression is often used when greeting others or introducing someone you care about to others.

6. YOLO

Are you feeling more “YOLO” than usual? This expression from French is often used to express how one feels. It combines “frapper,” which means to hit, with the word “dingue,” meaning crazy; similar to asking someone if they were hit upside the head as a child.

7. STAY AROUND

You can tell if someone is paying attention by their expression of interest. This expression of curiosity is especially common in French when speaking with someone close to you, such as your spouse or children.

8. TAKE NOTES

In French, taking notes is a commonly used expression when discussing something that you want to remember. This can be especially helpful when learning a new language.