As a French minor going on seven years of French classes (and one semester spent in Paris!) I've had an abundance of time to realize how much prettier French is than English. Well, duh. Everyone knows that English isn't the most attractive language. In this article, I'm going to list some of my personal favorite words in French that are 100 times prettier than their English counterparts. Helpful hint: this is perfect for anyone considering a new Instagram bio/tattoo who wants to sound cultured but doesn't actually know a word of French.
1. Le crépescule (sunset)
How perfect is this word?? It rolls off the tongue so smoothly that it makes me feel like crépescule should be the word for "sunset" in every language.
2. Le chien (dog)
Only the French could make "dog" sound chic.
3. Marie-couche-toi-là (slut)
This one sounds so pretty that it actually makes me laugh. It translates exactly into something like "Marie, lay there," with the (and have sex) part left unsaid. But really, how great is that ...
4. Brûler (burn)
If you like to eat out at fancy restaurants, you could probably guess the meaning of this word without me telling you, but DAMN THAT WORD SOUNDS GOOD IN FRENCH. "Don't brûler your arm on the stovetop!"
5. Le flâneur
This word is so French and perfect that it really doesn't even have a direct translation into English. If you look it up it will probably say something like "stroller" or "wanderer" but it doesn't mean that exactly. A flâneur is someone who sort of aimlessly wanders the streets without a plan or a destination in mind, someone who wants to see different sites but with no specific time in mind. (Baudelaire's definition above explains the concept a lot better than I can).
6. La retrouvailles (reunion)
Wouldn't you dread your annual family reunion a little less if it was called a "family retrouvailles"?
7. Loufoque (wild, crazy, far-fetched)
I can see this word in an Instagram caption so clearly. (Insert picture of scantily-clad drunk girls at a nightclub: lofoque).
8. Parapluie (umbrella)
This is one of my favorite words in French. Parapluie, parapluie, parapluie ... I just want to keep saying it. Don't forget your parapluie! Can you share your parapluie? I wish I had a parapluie ... gahhh!
9. Crachat (phlegm)
I'm not going to include a picture for this one because I'm scared of what I would see typing "phlegm" into google images, but the word is enough. Phlegm is like the grossest word in the English language (and the actual substance is pretty gross too), but in French it sounds so elegant.
10. Le bisou (kiss)
Seriously, this one is begging you for a sassy IG caption. XOXO
So there you have it, folks! Arm yourself with my article and head to your nearest tattoo parlor (just kidding).
