Oh Là Là Land: How to Use This Unconventional French Phrase

When someone mentions which French phrase sounds so French, we are sure that the answer would be too easy because all of them would agree that it is ‘Oh Là Là!’

And you have to admit that this phrase has everything to sound so French that the Francophone world should do something to protect it as a heritage.

Everything is in that phrase: French sophisticate, glamour, the French rolled r (yes, yes, even though there isn’t any but can just hear it somehow) and that special French soul.

But now that we’ve explained the phrase and admired it, it’s time to get back to reality and see what it means and how and when you can use them.

As soon as you learn how to properly use it, the faster your path to fluency will be and your French tutors will be proud of you.

So, let’s dive in!

When Did People Start Using ‘Oh Là Là!’?

Today, the phrase is well-known all around the world.

It is also the most classical and Frenchiest phrase of all the French phrases.

But who started using it first? 

When did that happen?

Did it survive for centuries or is it mainly new?

It isn’t exactly known who first invented the phrase, but what do we know is that back in 1953, Cole Porter started using ‘oh là là!’ in ‘C’est magnifique!'

Several years later, in 1957, pop singer, and one of the favorites of that time, Frankie Avalon was singing ‘o là là!’ where he used this phrase to explain the excitement of the kissing.

During the 1980s, the English world came across this phrase. It was used in one of the commercials, the American blue jeans brand called Sasson, but the message and the connotation of the phrase weren’t too good.

The misinterpretation of the English-speaking countries leads to the usage of the phrase in sexual and little vulgar contexts, but it certainly isn’t.

The phrase ‘o là là’ should express strong emotions, such as delight or disappointment, but surely not lust or sexual desire.

How to Pronounce ‘O Là Là?’

Here comes an important part where you have to be fully concentrated if you want to sound like a true French.

How can you pronounce the phrase ‘o là là’ correctly?

First, let’s practice the ‘oh.’

It isn’t pronounced as ‘eww’ or ‘ooh’ so forget about it right away.

Try to pronounce it like ‘eau’ (water).

Then comes the ‘là là’ part.

Even though you might think that there is not much to say about this part of the phrase, you have to also be careful while pronouncing it.

This part can be pronounced as in the English commercials, but you have to make sure that the letter ‘l’ is pronounced more softly than you would pronounce in English. 

The stress is usually on the first part of the phrase, that is, on the ‘oh’ but there are cases when the second ‘là’ has to be stressed.

The whole point of the stress depends on many things, on French-speaking countries and the context, among others.

Why Does ‘O Là Là’ Have Different Variety Pronunciations?

As you probably know, French is one of the most spoken languages in the world. It means that there are French-speaking countries on every continent.

French-speaking countries in Africa, for example, have different pronunciations for some words and phrases than French-speaking countries in Europe. And again Canadian French and French spoken in France aren't entirely the same.

Because of all that, even the pronunciation of the Frenchiest phrase may vary.

In some places, you can hear people saying 'ouh là là' and in others 'ah la la' which in some cases can be translated as 'oh dear!'

Some even extend the phrase so that it sounds 'oh là là là là' to express delight and enthusiasm.

Since the phrase isn't part of the standardized language and it is used informally and casually, that's why there is no exact definition and correct pronunciation.

However, it seems like everyone accepted the phrase using diacritical signs so we could say that the right writing is 'o là là.'

But no matter if you come across the phrase with or without diacritical signs, you will recognize it.

When to Use ‘O Là Là’

As we've already mentioned, there are plenty of situations when you can use this phrase.

Here are the most common ones.

Surprise

Here, we don't mean those negative surprises but the opposite.

When you are positively surprised and you want to express delight, that's the ideal occasion to use this phrase.

Example: Anne,  tu m’as acheté du pain au chocolat? Oh là là!- Anne, you bought me the chocolate? Oh, my goodness!

Being Supportive

When a friend tells you about his troubles, as a caring and supportive person, you can use 'o la la'

Example: Tu as échoué au cours de cuisine française après six mois d’études? Oh là là.- You failed your French cooking class after six months of study? How awful!

Feeling Stunned

There are situations when something happens that surprises you so much that you feel stunned, and you can?'t believe that it has happened.

That's the perfect time to use 'o la la.'

Example: L’homme avait six doigts sur la main? Oh là là!- The man had six fingers on one hand? Unbelievable!

Being Irritated

Sometimes your excitement and delight can lead to annoyance. But 'o la la' is still okay to use.

The only thing you will have to change is your tone while you're saying it. Let that be a more aggravated tone.

Example: Tout le monde sait que ‘o là là’ a dit est la phrase française! Oh là là là là! - The whole world knows that ‘o là là’ is the French phrase! How could you possibly not know that?

Regret

When you do something or fail to do something that annoys you you feel regret.

Using 'o la la' can help you get rid of that feeling and feel relieved.

Example: Oh là là. J’aurais aimé ne jamais vu ce film horrible.- Oh, man. I wish I had never seen that horrible movie.

Being Disappointed

As you see, the phrase doesn't necessarily have to be used only for positivity.

When you are disappointed, you can use this phrase which can show the level of your disappointment.

Example: Oh là là là là, que je suis tellement déçue!- Oh my goodness, I’m so disappointed!

Final Thoughts

So easy phrase and so many situations to use it from the most delightful to the negative ones.

And if you add different tones in different situations, it may seem as if you use different phrases.

Moreover, the respect you will get from French tutors and native French speakers will be priceless and you will be closer to becoming true French.