French expressions that don’t work in English, or the same word that has a totally different meaning(if you’re interested)
"Dégoûté" is a perfect example — it feels stronger in English ("disgusted") than how it's usually used in French (more like "disappointed" or "bummed out").
Other common traps like that:
• "Rater" = "to miss" or "to fail" →
Not always as dramatic as "fail" sounds in English.
• "Sensible" (FR) = sensitive (EN) →
Not "sensible" like in English!
• "Éventuellement" (FR) = possibly/ maybe → Not "eventually" like in English.
It's like you know what the word means... but the emotional weight shifts depending on the language.
🧠 French Phrases That Don’t Translate Literally (But Sound Normal in French)
1. “Je suis dégoûté(e)”
→ Already covered, but quick recap:
🗣 “I’m so bummed” / “gutted” / “ugh, that sucks.”
❌ Not: “I’m disgusted.” (unless you’re talking about actual grossness)
2. “Je suis trop chaud(e) !”
→ Sounds like: “I’m too hot!” (uhh… sexually?)
🗣 Actually means: “I’m so pumped / hyped / ready to go!”
✔ “I’m fired up!” / “Let’s gooo!”
3. “Il me manque.”
→ Literal: “He is missing me.”
🗣 English flips the structure:
✔ “I miss him.”
This one’s a classic mind twist for native English speakers learning French — but it flips the other way for you!
4. “Ça me fait plaisir.”
→ Not really: “That makes me happy.” (though close)
🗣 Better:
✔ “I’m glad to hear that.” / “That’s nice.” / “That means a lot.”
5. “J’ai hâte.”
→ Not: “I have haste.” (Nope, sounds like a heart condition.)
🗣 Better:
✔ “I can’t wait!”
✔ “I’m looking forward to it.”
6. “Je suis plein(e)”
→ Oops… careful.
Literally: “I am full.”
But in French, “Je suis plein(e)” can imply drunkenness or pregnancy (for animals!)
✔ Say instead: “J’ai trop mangé” or “Je n’en peux plus.”
7. “Bon courage!”
→ Not: “Good luck.” (That’s bonne chance)
🗣 More like:
✔ “Hang in there.” / “You’ve got this.” / “Stay strong.”
8. “Je te fais un bisou / une bise”
→ Not really: “I give you a kiss.” (sounds overly intimate in English)
🗣 More natural:
✔ “Sending you a kiss.” (if close)
✔ Or often just dropped in English, or replaced with “take care” / “talk soon!”
9. “C’est pas terrible.”
→ Weirdly, this means it’s not great — even though “terrible” in English is already bad.
🗣 So:
✔ “It’s not great.” / “It’s nothing special.”
❌ Not: “It’s not terrible” — in English, that means “it’s okay.”
10. “Il a le seum.” (slang)
→ Literal: ??
🗣 Means: He’s bitter / mad / sulking / salty.
✔ “He’s pissed.” / “He’s in a bad mood.”
✔ “He’s salty.” (if you want the Gen Z version 😎)
Bonus: “Je suis crevé(e)”
→ Not: “I’m exploded.” 💥
✔ “I’m exhausted / wiped out.”
———————
So let’s go deeper — into subtle emotional tone, casual slang, and expressions that don’t translate well but feel normal in French conversation.
🧭 French Phrases with Emotional or Cultural Nuance (That Don’t Translate Cleanly)
1. “Ce n’est pas grave”
🗣 Often used to reassure:
✔ “It’s okay” / “No worries” / “Don’t worry about it.”
❌ Not: “It’s not serious.” — sounds too medical/formal in English.
2. “Il est relou” (verlan for lourd)
🗣 Not: “He is heavy.”
✔ “He’s annoying / a pain / being extra / such a drag.”
In tone, it’s exasperated but casual.
3. “Tu m’étonnes”
🗣 Not: “You surprise me.”
✔ More like: “No kidding.” / “Tell me about it.” / “Right?”
Used to agree with emphasis, not to express surprise.
4. “C’est chaud”
🗣 Not just “It’s hot.”
✔ Depending on tone/context:
• “That’s rough.”
• “That’s intense.”
• “That’s risky/dangerous.”
💬 “Il a failli se faire virer. — C’est chaud.”
→ “He almost got fired.” — “Damn, that’s rough.”
5. “C’est pas possible”
🗣 Not always literal. Can mean:
✔ “No way!” / “You’ve got to be kidding.”
Or even: “Ugh, unbelievable.”
It’s about disbelief or frustration, not actual possibility.
6. “Je n’en peux plus”
🗣 Not just “I can’t anymore.”
✔ “I’m done.” / “I’m exhausted.” / “I’ve had it.”
Emotional or physical burnout.
7. “J’ai le cafard”
🗣 Literal: “I have the cockroach” 😂
✔ Real meaning: “I feel down / I’ve got the blues.”
💬 Used gently for emotional funk or melancholy.
8. “Elle m’a zappé”
🗣 Not: “She zapped me.” (lol)
✔ “She forgot about me” / “She ignored me.”
9. “Ça me saoule”
🗣 Not about beer…
✔ “It pisses me off” / “I’m so over it” / “This is annoying.”
Used when you’re fed up or frustrated.
10. “Je suis à la bourre”
🗣 Not: “I’m in the butter.”
✔ “I’m late / running behind.”
Very casual — almost slang.
11. “Fais gaffe !”
🗣 Not: “Make gaffe!” (English doesn’t have a verb for that)
✔ “Watch out!” / “Be careful!”
12. “On n’est pas sorti de l’auberge”
🗣 Literally: “We’re not out of the inn.”
✔ “We’re not out of the woods yet.” / “It’s far from over.”
13. “Il m’a foutu la honte”
🗣 Not just: “He gave me shame.”
✔ “He totally embarrassed me.”
14. “Je kiffe trop”
🗣 Slangy and fun.
✔ “I love it so much” / “I’m obsessed with it.”
Can sound a bit childish or Gen Z depending on who says it.
15. “Ça passe crème.”
🗣 Not: “It passes cream.” 😂
✔ “It went super smoothly.”
Cool slang to say something worked like a charm.
Would you like this turned into a shareable or printable “Nuance Ninja Cheat Sheet”? Or maybe a version just for slang + emotional tone you can keep on your phone? 😎
Other common traps like that:
• "Rater" = "to miss" or "to fail" →
Not always as dramatic as "fail" sounds in English.
• "Sensible" (FR) = sensitive (EN) →
Not "sensible" like in English!
• "Éventuellement" (FR) = possibly/ maybe → Not "eventually" like in English.
It's like you know what the word means... but the emotional weight shifts depending on the language.
🧠 French Phrases That Don’t Translate Literally (But Sound Normal in French)
1. “Je suis dégoûté(e)”
→ Already covered, but quick recap:
🗣 “I’m so bummed” / “gutted” / “ugh, that sucks.”
❌ Not: “I’m disgusted.” (unless you’re talking about actual grossness)
2. “Je suis trop chaud(e) !”
→ Sounds like: “I’m too hot!” (uhh… sexually?)
🗣 Actually means: “I’m so pumped / hyped / ready to go!”
✔ “I’m fired up!” / “Let’s gooo!”
3. “Il me manque.”
→ Literal: “He is missing me.”
🗣 English flips the structure:
✔ “I miss him.”
This one’s a classic mind twist for native English speakers learning French — but it flips the other way for you!
4. “Ça me fait plaisir.”
→ Not really: “That makes me happy.” (though close)
🗣 Better:
✔ “I’m glad to hear that.” / “That’s nice.” / “That means a lot.”
5. “J’ai hâte.”
→ Not: “I have haste.” (Nope, sounds like a heart condition.)
🗣 Better:
✔ “I can’t wait!”
✔ “I’m looking forward to it.”
6. “Je suis plein(e)”
→ Oops… careful.
Literally: “I am full.”
But in French, “Je suis plein(e)” can imply drunkenness or pregnancy (for animals!)
✔ Say instead: “J’ai trop mangé” or “Je n’en peux plus.”
7. “Bon courage!”
→ Not: “Good luck.” (That’s bonne chance)
🗣 More like:
✔ “Hang in there.” / “You’ve got this.” / “Stay strong.”
8. “Je te fais un bisou / une bise”
→ Not really: “I give you a kiss.” (sounds overly intimate in English)
🗣 More natural:
✔ “Sending you a kiss.” (if close)
✔ Or often just dropped in English, or replaced with “take care” / “talk soon!”
9. “C’est pas terrible.”
→ Weirdly, this means it’s not great — even though “terrible” in English is already bad.
🗣 So:
✔ “It’s not great.” / “It’s nothing special.”
❌ Not: “It’s not terrible” — in English, that means “it’s okay.”
10. “Il a le seum.” (slang)
→ Literal: ??
🗣 Means: He’s bitter / mad / sulking / salty.
✔ “He’s pissed.” / “He’s in a bad mood.”
✔ “He’s salty.” (if you want the Gen Z version 😎)
Bonus: “Je suis crevé(e)”
→ Not: “I’m exploded.” 💥
✔ “I’m exhausted / wiped out.”
———————
So let’s go deeper — into subtle emotional tone, casual slang, and expressions that don’t translate well but feel normal in French conversation.
🧭 French Phrases with Emotional or Cultural Nuance (That Don’t Translate Cleanly)
1. “Ce n’est pas grave”
🗣 Often used to reassure:
✔ “It’s okay” / “No worries” / “Don’t worry about it.”
❌ Not: “It’s not serious.” — sounds too medical/formal in English.
2. “Il est relou” (verlan for lourd)
🗣 Not: “He is heavy.”
✔ “He’s annoying / a pain / being extra / such a drag.”
In tone, it’s exasperated but casual.
3. “Tu m’étonnes”
🗣 Not: “You surprise me.”
✔ More like: “No kidding.” / “Tell me about it.” / “Right?”
Used to agree with emphasis, not to express surprise.
4. “C’est chaud”
🗣 Not just “It’s hot.”
✔ Depending on tone/context:
• “That’s rough.”
• “That’s intense.”
• “That’s risky/dangerous.”
💬 “Il a failli se faire virer. — C’est chaud.”
→ “He almost got fired.” — “Damn, that’s rough.”
5. “C’est pas possible”
🗣 Not always literal. Can mean:
✔ “No way!” / “You’ve got to be kidding.”
Or even: “Ugh, unbelievable.”
It’s about disbelief or frustration, not actual possibility.
6. “Je n’en peux plus”
🗣 Not just “I can’t anymore.”
✔ “I’m done.” / “I’m exhausted.” / “I’ve had it.”
Emotional or physical burnout.
7. “J’ai le cafard”
🗣 Literal: “I have the cockroach” 😂
✔ Real meaning: “I feel down / I’ve got the blues.”
💬 Used gently for emotional funk or melancholy.
8. “Elle m’a zappé”
🗣 Not: “She zapped me.” (lol)
✔ “She forgot about me” / “She ignored me.”
9. “Ça me saoule”
🗣 Not about beer…
✔ “It pisses me off” / “I’m so over it” / “This is annoying.”
Used when you’re fed up or frustrated.
10. “Je suis à la bourre”
🗣 Not: “I’m in the butter.”
✔ “I’m late / running behind.”
Very casual — almost slang.
11. “Fais gaffe !”
🗣 Not: “Make gaffe!” (English doesn’t have a verb for that)
✔ “Watch out!” / “Be careful!”
12. “On n’est pas sorti de l’auberge”
🗣 Literally: “We’re not out of the inn.”
✔ “We’re not out of the woods yet.” / “It’s far from over.”
13. “Il m’a foutu la honte”
🗣 Not just: “He gave me shame.”
✔ “He totally embarrassed me.”
14. “Je kiffe trop”
🗣 Slangy and fun.
✔ “I love it so much” / “I’m obsessed with it.”
Can sound a bit childish or Gen Z depending on who says it.
15. “Ça passe crème.”
🗣 Not: “It passes cream.” 😂
✔ “It went super smoothly.”
Cool slang to say something worked like a charm.
Would you like this turned into a shareable or printable “Nuance Ninja Cheat Sheet”? Or maybe a version just for slang + emotional tone you can keep on your phone? 😎
