A brief conversation about our camping holidays in France earlier this week sparked a discussion about French phrases. While some of the phrases, quotes, & proverbs below are not uniquely French, they are among our favourites. How many of these have you heard whilst camping in France?
Pronunciation: otʁə tɑ̃, otʁə mœʁ
Literal translation: Other times, other customs
Origin: From Cicero's First Oration against Catiline 'O tempora o mores'
Pronunciation: ʃa eʃode kʁɛ̃ lo fʁwad
Literal translation: A scalded cat fears cold water
English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy
Pronunciation: ɔ̃ nə ʃɑ̃ʒ pa yn ekip ki ɡaɲ
Literal translation: One does not change a winning team
English equivalent: If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Pronunciation: labi nə fɛ pa lə mwan
Literal translation: The vestment does not make the monk
English equivalent: Don’t judge a book by its cover
Pronunciation: il fo kase lə nwajo puʁ avwaʁ lamɑ̃d
Literal translation: You have to break the shell to have the almond
Origin: Attributed to Roman philosopher and playwright Plautus
English equivalent: No pain, no gain
Pronunciation:ki kuʁ dø ljɛvʁ a la fwa, nɑ̃ pʁɑ̃ okɛ̃
Literal translation: Who runs after two hares at the same time, catches none
Origin: Attributed to the Dutch theologian Erasmus
English equivalent: Too many irons in the fire or spreading yourself too thin?
Pronunciation:pəti a pəti lwazo fɛ sɔ̃ ni
Literal translation: Little by little, the bird builds its nest
English equivalent: Step by step one goes far or every little helps
Pronunciation:mjø vo pʁevəniʁ kə ɡeʁiʁ
Literal translation: It is better to prevent than to heal
English equivalent: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Pronunciation:ki navɑ̃s pa ʁəkyl
Literal translation: Who does not move forward, recedes
English equivalent: Expect poison from stagnant water
Pronunciation:a vɛ̃kʁə sɑ̃ peʁil, ɔ̃ tʁijɔ̃f sɑ̃ ɡlwaʁ
Literal translation: To win without risk is to triumph without glory
Origin: Attributed to the French tragedian Pierre Corneille from Le Cid
English equivalent: In a calm sea, every man is a pilot
Pronunciation:ki vivʁa veʁa
Literal translation: Who will live will see
Origin: From the Italian Chi vivrà, vedrà
English equivalent: Wait and see
Rob Fearn
Editor - Alan Rogers Guides
Rob is the General Manager at Alan Rogers Travel Group, he is responsible for the ongoing development of the Alan Rogers website and publication of the Alan Rogers Guides.
He has been involved in the leisure industry since completing a BTEC in Travel & Tourism in 1993. Previous roles have included the promotion of tourism in Yorkshire and running a motorcycle touring company in the Australian Outback.
