Funny French Phrases

From LoveToKnow French

Although we recognize the stereotype of the fussy French waiter muttering funny words like crétin, idiot or imbécile at boorish tourists, there are actually numerous truly funny French phrases.

Idiomatic Expressions

French Idioms are often quite humorous to non-French speakers because when translated literally, the meaning is illogical. For example, Ah, la vache! literally translates as Oh, the cow. To the French this is a way of expressing surprise much in the same way that Americans might say wow or Good grief! Here are some more examples of amusing idioms:

Funny French Idioms
PhraseLiteral TranslationActual Meaning
C'est la fin des haricots.That's the end of the beans.It's the last straw or that's the end of it.
Les carottes sont cuites.The carrots are cooked.I've had it.
Marcher à côté de ses pompes.To walk next to one's shoes.To be out of it.
Arrête ton char!Stop your chariot!Stop bluffing!
Aller au charbonTo go to the coal (mines).To do something very difficult or arduous.
Casser les oreillesTo break my ears.To block out the noise. (By plugging ears, etc.)

Sometimes the French use funny idioms to describe the same types of situations that English speakers do.

  • Boire comme un trou literally translates as to drink like a hole but means to get wasted which isn't even grammatically correct in English.
  • Poser un lapin literally translates as to leave a rabbit but means to stand someone up which in literal English would mean to put someone in a standing position.


Sometimes idiomatic expressions are based on the same idea, such as with 'beef' below, but are then used differently in French and in English.

Faire un boeuf translates into To make a beef. In French that means to improvise musically -- as in a jam session. Of course in English, to beef means to complain or make a fuss.

Funny French Phrases That Sound Funny

Unlike the phrases above, some groups of words simply sound silly when spoken. Sometimes the meaning is silly as well. Tongue twisters are in and of themselves funny because they are absurdly hard to say. Since they are 'alliterative,' meaning they often start with the same letter, it all starts to sound like childish babble, reducing both the listener and speaker to fits of laughter.

Logical Tongue Twisters

The meanings of the following phrases aren't necessarily funny, and might even be considered instructive.

  • Poisson sans boisson--c'est poison!.

To each fish without drinking wine is poison!

  • Didon dîna, dit-on, du dos d'un dodu dindon.

Didon ate, it is said, from the back of a fat turkey.

  • Natacha n'attacha pas son chat qui s'échappa.

Natasha did not tie up her cat, who escaped.

  • Tonton, ton thé t'a-t-il ôté ta toux?

Uncle, did your tea take away your cough?

Tongue Twisters With Funny Meanings

These phrases not only sound funny coming out of the mouth, but are silly when you think about what is being said.

  • La pipe au papa du Pape Pie pue.

Pope Pius' dad's pipe stinks.

  • Je veux et j'exige du jasmin and des jonquilles

I want and demand jasmine and daffodils.

Just Pure Nonsense

Finally, some french tongue twisters are nonsensical in their meaning.

  • Si mon tonton tond ton tonton, ton tonton sera tondu.

If my uncle shaves your uncle, your uncle will be shaved.

  • Si six scies scient six cyprès, six cents scies scient six cent cyprès.

If six saws saw six cypresses, six hundred saws saw six hundred cypresses.

Other Places to Find Funny French

The French are indeed funny as demonstrated by some good examples of funny French movies such as:

The following websites provide some funny french phrases as well:

If you can use and understand french humor, it will enhance your understanding of the language and culture.

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Comments

Thanks Michael. I'm glad you liked them!

-- Contributed by: Valorie Delp

I found that this website was SO funny... I was in hysterics for 20 minutes after reading the french tongue-twisters... they were so funny... I would reccomend these for people who REALLY like funny things and are French or know it. The one that I liked most was the 'Si mon tonton tond ton tonton, ton tonton sera tondu' one, means 'if my uncle shaves your uncle, your uncle will be shaved'...

-- Contributed by: Michael D.

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