pardonnez mon langage
The French phrase for "excuse my French" is pardonnez mon langage.
This phrase is an apology used before or after using swear words or offensive language. While the English idiom "excuse my French" is often a playful euphemism, the French equivalent pardonnez mon langage is a direct apology for one's choice of words.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pardonnez mon langage literally translates to "forgive my language".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, the expression Veuillez excuser mon langage fleuri can be used to mean "Please excuse my flowery language". In Quebec, Canada, the phrase Excusez mes québécismes, mais… is used to mean "Excuse my Québécois expressions, but…".
Did you know?
- In French, the term langage fleuri is used as an ironic euphemism where 'flowery' actually refers to a heavy concentration of swear words.
- The possessive word mon in the phrase was likely influenced by the ancient Gaulish word 'mon' meaning 'my'.
- Depending on the region, a person might apologize for using québécismes, which are specific terms used in Quebec that are often unrecognizable to people in France.
Examples in context
- Pardonnez mon langage, c'est très frustrant.Excuse my French, it is very frustrating.
- Oh merde ! Pardonnez mon langage.Oh shit! Excuse my French.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are discussing a frustrating situation at work.
- EmmaC'est vraiment idiot, pardonnez mon langage.This is really stupid, excuse my language.
- GabrielJe suis d'accord avec toi, Emma.I agree with you, Emma.
- EmmaOn ne peut pas continuer comme ça.We cannot continue like this.
- GabrielOn devrait en parler au patron.We should talk to the boss.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries langage, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
