bon sang
/bɔ̃ sɑ̃/
The English phrase 'bloody hell' can be translated into French as bon sang. If unsure, use bon sang. Wiktionary also lists purée.
Meaning: expression of dismay (intj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| bon sang | /bɔ̃ sɑ̃/ |
| purée | /py.ʁe/ |
Both bon sang and purée are used as expressions of dismay.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bon sang literally translates to 'good blood'.
Which one should you use?
purée is a euphemistic substitute. Using purée is similar to how an English speaker might use 'shoot' instead of the s-word.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
purée is a milder, more polite version of an exclamation used to express frustration or surprise.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔ̃ sɑ̃/
Did you know?
- The word purée is used as a polite exclamation because it sounds very similar to a much stronger French swear word starting with 'p'.
- While bon sang translates to 'good blood', it is a shortened version of the older phrase nom de Dieu or sang de Dieu. Using the word 'blood' was a way to avoid blasphemy by not naming God directly.
- If you use bon sang in a modern conversation, you might sound like a character from a 19th-century French novel due to its slightly dated quality.
Examples in context
- Mince alors! Je n'en reviens pas!Bloody hell! I can't believe it!
- Bordel! Fais attention!Bloody hell! Watch out!
- Punaise! J'ai tout perdu!Bloody hell! I've lost everything!
- Bon sang, j'ai encore oublié mes clés !Bloody hell, I forgot my keys again!
- Bon sang, il commence à pleuvoir.Bloody hell, it's starting to rain.
- Bon sang, la voiture ne démarre pas.Bloody hell, the car won't start.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are looking for their lost dog in the park.
- GabrielBon sang, où est passé le chien ?Bloody hell, where did the dog go?
- EmmaJe ne sais pas, Gabriel.I don't know, Gabriel.
- GabrielBon sang, il a dû s'enfuir !Bloody hell, he must have run away!
- EmmaRegarde, il est juste derrière l'arbre.Look, he is right behind the tree.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bloody hell” translations and entries bon sang, purée, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
