grosses couilles
The English phrase 'big balls' can be translated into French as grosses couilles.
This is a vulgar slang term used to describe someone who has a lot of courage or bravery.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, grosses means 'big' and couilles means 'testicles'.
Which one should you use?
While grosses couilles is vulgar, avoir du cran is a non-vulgar way to say someone has courage or nerve.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
grosses couilles is highly vulgar and should only be used in very informal or aggressive contexts. Grosses burnes is an informal way to convey the idea of 'big balls' and is explicit.
Did you know?
- In very specific street slang, the word couille can be used to describe a mistake or a 'glitch', as in il y a une couille dans le potage.
- To 'get on someone's nerves' in French is casser les couilles, which literally means 'to break the balls'.
- While grosses couilles is vulgar, the related term avoir du toupet describes someone with 'nerve' by referring to a forelock of hair on a horse's head.
Examples in context
- Il a de grosses couilles pour dire ça.He has big balls to say that.
- Il faut avoir de grosses couilles pour faire ça.You need to have big balls to do that.
- Ce type a de grosses couilles, c'est sûr.That guy has big balls, for sure.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a colleague's risky decision at work.
- ChloéTu as vu ce qu'il a fait au patron ?Did you see what he did to the boss?
- NathanOui, il a de grosses couilles, ce mec.Yes, that guy has big balls.
- ChloéC'est courageux mais c'est très risqué.It is brave but very risky.
- NathanC'est clair, il ne se démonte pas.Clearly, he doesn't back down.
