Do you ever get that feeling when you can’t find the right words to describe something? Maybe you’re not thinking in the right language. Here are six French terms with no English equivalent.
N’importe quoi
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Literally translates as “it’s no matter what”, but it means it’s a nonsense, but not really, it means you can’t even try to find the words for something, so absurd that something is.
Frette
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When it’s really, really cold. Even colder than cold (cold = froid). (i.e. below -4 F).
Jaser
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To have a lighthearted talk, very friendly and unrushed with someone.
Tiguidou
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It’s a popular expression similar to “It’s all good”, but has an impressive capacity to flex into different contexts.
Examples:
- He’s “tiguidou” = he’s great!
- My doctorate thesis? It’s “tiguidou” = it’s finally done, so happy!
- I’m “tiguidou” with you = I completely agree with you!
Déjà vu
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Most of us know this one, but did you know it originates from French? It translates to “already seen”. It’s that feeling of having lived through the present situation before.
BONUS:
Another noteworthy point to mention about this language is that in French there isn’t a word for cheap – only not expensive (“pas cher”). There was even a grocery store whose tagline was “the less expensive grocery store”.
Some of these words are only used in Canadian French. Can you guess which ones?
Check out these Six Spanish Words with no English Translation if you need more terms to express yourself.