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What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear ‘French?’
Romance and love.
Oh yes, the French language is one of the most romantic languages in the world. We all know the phrase ‘Je t’aime.’ We even know to pronounce it properly even if we don’t speak the language.
But do we know some other common expressions and idioms about love?
Today, we're sharing 16 French idioms about love and romance which are suitable not only for French learners but also for those who don’t learn the language but want to know a couple of idioms.
Avoir un cou de foudre
Literally: To have a strike of lightning.
The expression ‘le coup de foudre’ is a strong feeling, which immobilizes immediately when you see your loved one for the first time. It’s similar to the English expression ‘to fall in love at first sight.’
Avoir un cœur d’artichaut
Literally: To have an artichoke’s heart.
When some have an artichoke’s heart, it means that the person can fall in love easily and quite often, as well.
Avoir un ticket avec…
Literally: To have the ticket with...
This expression may seem quite strange to you but not to the French. When you say ‘avoir un ticket avec…’ it means that if you’ve seduced that person, you have a ticket with him, that he or she likes you very much.
En pincer pour quelqu'un
Literally: To pinch on someone.
Love can hurt and we all know that, some of us even better. In French, you can use this expression when you are in love with someone or when you have a crush.
Être fleur bleue
Literally: To be a blue flower.
Here’s another expression with a vegetal, which means ‘to be sentimental.’ In a world of flowers, pale blue expresses an unspoken tenderness and discreetness.
Je vois la vie en rose
Meaning: I see the world through rose-tinted glasses.
Famous Edit Piaf was singing about ‘La vie en rose.’ When you fall in love, people see the world through rose glasses, so this is perhaps one of the most romantic French idioms you can find.
Larguer quelqu’un
Literally: To dump someone.
When you dump someone, no matter the reason, you use this expression.
Ma bichette
Literally: My small doe.
The idiom is used only for females, especially for young girls, so watch out not to tell a man.
Ma puce
Literally: My flea.
At first sight, this expression may seem a little offensive, but it isn’t.
It can be used for partners but also for kids.
The phrase comes from the areas where fleas were common and an everyday problem, so slowly the expression became one of those you, in the end, consider cute.
Mon petit chouchou
Translating: My little cabbage.
Using this idiom, you can refer to someone very dear to you, especially because the ‘chouchou’ is made to sound cuter. The correct word would be ‘chou,’ which means ‘sweetheart.’
According to some, the explanation is in the word itself. Since it literally means cabbage, which is round, just like the baby’s head, which is, again, so cute.
Mon tresor
Literally: My treasure.
In many other languages, the phrase ‘my treasure’ is used to describe someone dear to your heart. Treasure is valuable, just that person to you.
Poser un lapin
Literally: To put a rabbit.
You’ve finally had the courage to ask that special person on a date. You’ve organized everything, from the cinema to dinner. And you’ve come on time but the person never showed up. He/she stood you up or in French, ‘il/elle vous a posé un lapin.’
Se faire larguer
Literally: to get dumped.
This idiom has the same meaning, both literally and real like in English. So, when you want to say you are dumped in French, you can use this expression.
S'envoyer en l’air
Literally: To throw oneself in the air.
The phrase has sexual connotations, particularly to pleasure, which is compared to a divine ascension to heaven. It is used as French slang.
Se prendre un rateau
Literally: To take a rake.
As much as strange this may sound, it has nothing to do with gardening.
It can be explained as the image of the one who walks on a rake and gets hit in the face. So that ridiculous character refers to the people who don't succeed in seducing.
Vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche
Literally: To live on love and fresh water.
When you fall in love, you forget everything around you and you can even become careless. You are in love and you don’t care about anything else.
And then there comes a moment when you have to get to the real world and have your duties.
It is similar to English ‘love is not going to pay the bills.’
Now that you are fully equipped with romantic idioms and phrases in the most romantic language, you don’t have to wait for Valentine's day or some other special date.
When you are in love, every day should be special, so use that advantage to tell your loved one some of the expressions from the previous lines.
In case you aren’t confident enough or you are afraid that your pronunciation may sound silly, practice it with French tongue twisters or even better, practice with real people, French tutors.
In the meantime, don't forget to save the List of French Idioms About Love on your device.
