maudit sois-tu
The English phrase "damn you" can be translated into French as maudit sois-tu.
This expression is used to wish bad luck or divine punishment upon someone.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, maudit sois-tu means "cursed be you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form maudit sois-tu sounds archaic or literary, and is often found in religious contexts or historical dramas rather than in modern casual speech. For more formal ways to express a similar sentiment, you may use Que Dieu vous maudisse (May God damn you), Que la malédiction vous frappe (May the curse strike you) or Puisse le sort vous punir (May fate punish you).
Did you know?
- In Quebec, the word maudit is often used as a very common, mild swear word itself, similar to how 'damn' is used in English.
- The root of the word, 'mal-' and 'dire', combines the concept of 'bad' with the act of 'speaking', implying that a curse is literally a 'bad-speaking'.
- While maudit is the root for 'cursed', the modern French slang for 'cursed' or 'bad' often uses 'pourri' which literally means 'rotten'.
Examples in context
- Maudit sois-tu !Damn you!This example shows how to use maudit sois-tu as an exclamation.Tatoeba #8090763 by Micsmithel, translation #1135061 by Thanuir
- Maudit sois-tu pour ce que tu as fait.Damn you for what you have done.
- Maudit sois-tu, traître !Damn you, traitor!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma discovers that Nathan has betrayed her trust.
- EmmaComment as-tu pu faire ça ?How could you do this?
- NathanJe suis désolé, Emma.I am sorry, Emma.
- EmmaMaudit sois-tu pour ta trahison !Damn you for your betrayal!
- NathanLaisse-moi t'expliquer.Let me explain.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maudit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
