While we all know that there are many french-speaking countries, people tend to forget that they do vary in numerous ways. It is for this reason that I prefer to refer to the languages in francophone regions as dialects; accents are often different and there are variations in the uses of vocabulary. By familiarizing yourself with some of the most common francophone expressions below, hopefully, if you were to find yourself in one of these countries, you wouldn't be entirely lost if someone were to use one!
Senegal
Etre caillou = Etre difficile
--> With this one, there is a subtle link because 'un caillou' is a pebble and pebbles are hard (synonymous with difficult.)
Conduire dans des tablettes de chocolat = conduire sur des routes défoncées
Quitter les bancs = Quitter l'école
Rester longtemps sur les bancs = Faire de longues études
--> Similar to the last one... les bancs = les études
Vibrer = S'amuser
Baisser les pieds = S'avouer vaincu
Cabiner = Aller aux toilettes
--> There are cabins/cubicles when you go to the toilet.
Un deux-doigt = Un très bon pickpocket
--> The pickpocket is so talented that it is like he only has 2 fingers; having 2 fingers would make the job much easier because there are fewer fingers to 'get in the way.'
Radio cancan = Un rumeur
Dallasser = Crâner en soirée
Belgium
Aller à Guindaille = faire la fête
Avoir la clope = avoir peur
Etre bleu de quelqu'un = Etre amoureux de quelqu'un
Etre en rote = Etre en colère
Après moi les mouches = Il arrivera ce qui
arrivera
Faire le blob = Choisir d'etre la personne qui ne boit pas pendant la soiree pour qu'elle puisse rammener tout le monde chez eux en voiture.
Faire son nez = Etre pretentieux/arrogant
Il drache = Il pleut sans cesse
Jouer avec les pieds de quelqu'un = Abuser de la patience de quelqu'un
--> If you were to start playing with someone's feet, it would quite clearly annoy them. It is a way of winding them up.
Se prendre une douffe = Etre ivre
Quebec
Le magasinage = Le shopping
--> The word 'magasin' is a shop in french
Avoir la falle basse = Etre déprimé/découragé
Avoir les mains pleines de pouces = Etre maladroit
Avoir des bidous = Avoir de l'argent
Se tirer une bûche = Prendre une chaise
--> 'Une bûche' is a log in French and chairs are often made from wood.
Parler à travers son chapeau = Parler de quelque chose qu'on connait pas du tout
--> If you were pretending that you were knowledgeable about something but you weren't in reality, perhaps you would try and hide behind something in the hope of not being exposed.
Il pleut à boire debout = Il pleut beaucoup
--> It is raining so hard that that you could drink the rainwater standing up with your mouth open.
Cogner des clous = S'endormir
--> If you were to fall asleep, you might bang/knock (cogner) your head against the table.
Switzerland
Monter dans les tours = S'énerver
Le natel = le téléphone portable
Ça joue = Ça marche
Faire la poutze = Faire le ménage
Foutre loin = Jeter quelque chose à la poubelle
Se réduire = Aller se coucher
Faire un clopet = Faire un somme
Une maman de jour = Une nounou
--> A nanny plays the role of a mother during the day when the parents are at work.
Faire la potte = Etre de mauvaise humeur
Faites seulement = Je vous en prie
Image from: https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/how-many-people-speak-french-and-where-is-french-spoken
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