French pronunciation isn't all that matters. Certainly, the right way pronunciation of the notorious French "r" can make you sound more like a native. Yet, what use is it that if you can't really communicate in French easily? This is the reason you ought to consistently work on expanding your vocabulary with practical thoughts, for example, French sayings, expressions, or idioms. These can add substance and even humor to your talk and can make you sound like you have been living in France your entire life. Add a touch of joie de vivre to that and people will think you were born and brought up in Paris.
Furthermore, French sayings will give knowledge into French history and culture and they will also make you sound more natural, more authentic. All things considered, this is your principal objective when learning French, right?
So let’s take a dive in and see what French sayings, idioms, and expressions you can use to seem as though you were French-born.
Common French sayings
So what’s a French saying? A saying is a short, pithyt, and normally known expression that offers wisdom or a suggestion. How about we take a dive at some the most widely recognized of them.
"Strike the iron while it is hot" in French - Battre le fer pendant qu’il est chaud
Literal meaning:
Since we have a similar saying in English, this current one's easy. When the blacksmith is fashioning the iron, the metal should be intensely hot so its shape can be changed. This implies you need to take advantage of favorable circumstances.
"This is not the sea to drink" in French - Ce n’est pas la mer à boire
Literal meaning:
It’s not that big a deal or it’s not that difficult. You can use it when somebody complains impossibility of a task.
"Take some time to think about it" in French - La nuit porte conseil
Literal meaning: This is the equivalent of “sleep on it”. Or, in other words, take your time as necessary prior to settling on a decision.
"As you make our bed, now lean on it" in French - Comme on fait son lit, on se le bâti.
Literal meaning:
There's a funny Italian expression that says Hai voluto la bicicletta? E adesso pedala! ("Did you need the bike? now ride it.") and it has precisely the same meaning as Comme on fait son lit, on se couche. Isn't interesting how various societies approach a similar circumstance?
Exact as the biblical version “you reap what you sow”, this French saying cautions that you endure the outcomes of your actions or that you should acknowledge the undesirable results of something you've done. Then again, the opposite is also possible! Make a decent bed and you will sleep soundly.
"To want to is to can" in French - Vouloir, c’est pouvoir
Literal meaning: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” You can use this saying to support somebody who doubts themselves.
"Impossible isn’t French" in French - Impossible n’est pas français.
Literal meaning: Famously credited to Napoleon Bonaparte, impossible n'est pas français is what might be compared to "nothing is impossiale". While it might appear to be exceptionally energetic, français here doesn't refer to the French public, yet rather to the French language. As in "impossible is certifiably not a French word".
"Nothing should be left to chance" in french - Il ne faut rien laisser au hazard
Literal meaning: “Clear out nothing to chance/risk".
"Hunger accompanies eating" in French - L’appétit vient en mangeant
Literal meaning: This expression can be used both literally and metaphorically and it refers to how the craving increases as an activity proceeds (to eat, to claim, and so on).
