Life is quite an exciting ride. One second you're up and feeling like the ruler of the world, the following you're sad and wishing the earth would simply gulp down you.
No matter what situation you're facing right now, there's always a decent French proverb to knock some sense into you. Here's the everything you need to know about these regular French proverbs:
French Proverb - 'Ce n’est pas la mer à boire'
English translation: “It’s not as if you have to drink the ocean.”
Meaning: It’s not that difficult/it’s not that hard/it’s not so bad/It’s not the end of the world.
How to use it:
French Proverb - 'Mieux vaut être seul que mal accompagné.'
English translation: “Better to be alone than accompanied badly.”
Meaning: It’s better to be alone than to be with somebody who isn’t good company. This can applicable to friendships, romantic relationships –or even maybe just about any kind of situation in life, if you think about it.
How to use it:
Joseph vient d’être plaqué par sa copine. Tant mieux ! Mieux vaut être seul que mal accompagné. (Joseph’s girlfriend just left him and I think she even cheated on him! It’s better to be alone than in bad company.)
Always keep in mind: to agree seul(e) and accompagné(e) with the gender of the person you’re talking about. For example:
French Proverb - '3) Associez-vous à des hommes de bonne qualité si vous estimez votre propre réputation car il vaut mieux être seul qu'en mauvaise compagnie'
English translation: “You must turn your tongue around in your mouth 7 times before you speak.”
Meaning: Think before you speak.
How to use it:
French Proverb - 'L’habit ne fait pas le moine.'
English translation: The outfit doesn’t make the monk.
Meaning:: Don’t judge a person by their look./ Looks can be deceiving./Don’t judge a book by its cover.
How to use it:
French Proverb - ' Petit à petit, l’oiseau fait son nid.'
English translation: Little by little, the bird builds its nest.
Meaning: Little strokes fell great oaks./Slow and steady wins the race.
How to use it:
French Proverb - 'Chacun voit midi à sa porte.'
English translation: Everybody sees noon at their door.
Meaning: Everybody sees things their own way. /Everybody looks out for their proper interests.
How to use it:
French Proverb - 'Qui vivra verra.'
English translation: Who will live, will see.
Meaning: Wait and see. /Time will tell. /Let’s see how this plays out.
How to use it:
French Proverb - 'Il faut casser le noyau pour avoir l’amande.'
English Translation: You need to break the shell to have the almond.
Meaning: No pain no gain.
How to use it:
Final Words on French Proverbs
Remember that these are "mostly applied" French proverbs, and their usage is very versatile. Within the space of a day, several events would appear in which you could slip at least one more of these in your everyday conversations.
It is a clever way to gain a hold in French a conversational area, which is the reason practicing and applying them will just bring more persuasiveness, clearness, and cordial attraction in your meetings with the French.