Kifaransa |French expressions you will never learn in class!

Learning French in school often revolves around mastering grammar rules and pronunciations. However, true fluency often comes from immersion and interacting with native speakers, where you encounter expressions used in daily life that are seldom taught in formal education settings. Here are some colorful expressions you’re unlikely to come across in the classroom:

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1. “Avoir la tête dans le cul” (Literally: to have one’s head in the ass)
   This expression vividly depicts waking up feeling unwell, perhaps due to a lack of sleep or the aftermath of a heavy night of drinking. Example: Ce matin j’ai la tête dans le cul. (This morning I feel like crap.)
2. “Tous les 36 du mois” (Literally: every 36th day of the month)
   This phrase humorously conveys that something will never happen, as there is, of course, no 36th day in any month.
3. “Mal-baisé” (Literally: poorly screwed)
   While the literal translation refers to sexual frustration, colloquially it’s used to describe someone unpleasant. Example: Mais quel mal-baisé celui-là ! (What a jerk he is!)
4. “Mettre ses couilles dans l’assiette et les manger” (Literally: to put one’s testicles on the table and eat them)
   This graphic expression metaphorically means to assert dominance or give something authority and strength.
5. “Noyer le poisson” (Literally: to drown the fish)
   This idiom signifies diverting the subject or making something less noticeable.
6. “Enculer les mouches” (Literally: to fuck houseflies)
   Describing meticulous attention to insignificant details.
7. “Avec ma bite et mon couteau” (Literally: with my dick and my knife)
   Indicates doing something or performing a task without the proper tools or resources.
8. “Avoir des casseroles au cul” (Literally: to have saucepans hanging from one’s ass)
   Used when someone has issues or scandals trailing behind them.
9. “Casse couille” (Literally: testicle breaker)
   This expression refers to someone whose behavior or conversation is particularly annoying.
10. “Péter le feu” (Literally: to fart fire)
    Used when someone has a lot of energy or force.

While these expressions may not be found in textbooks, they offer a glimpse into the colorful and often humorous aspects of French language and culture. So, the next time you find yourself conversing with native speakers, don’t be surprised if you encounter these unexpected phrases—they’re all part of the rich tapestry of the French lexicon.