la chair de poule
The French phrase for goosebumps is la chair de poule.
la chair de poule is used to describe the sensation of goosebumps, whether they are caused by physical cold or by an emotional reaction such as fear or excitement.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "the flesh of the chicken".
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you have goosebumps, use the verb avoir (to have) rather than être (to be).
Did you know?
- The word chair is a linguistic relative of the English word 'carnal', both descending from the Latin 'carnem'.
- The word chair in la chair de poule is a phonetic twin to the word for 'chair' in English, but it actually means 'flesh' or 'skin'.
- In a culinary context, chair refers specifically to the edible part of a fruit or animal, distinguishing the 'meat' from the skin or pit.
Examples in context
- J'ai la chair de poule.I got goosebumps.This sentence shows how to say you have goosebumps.Tatoeba #5066633 by sacredceltic, translation #4498909 by CK
- J’en ai la chair de poule.It gives me goosebumps.This sentence shows how to say something gives you goosebumps.Tatoeba #10676535 by AutoBot, translation #10676536 by AutoBot
- Il fait froid, j'ai la chair de poule.It's cold, I have goosebumps.This sentence shows how to express having goosebumps due to the cold.Tatoeba #752027 by Cocorico, translation #4306298 by jshholland
- Lorsque le héros a survécu à l'énorme explosion, toutes les personnes autour de lui avaient la chair de poule.When the hero survived the massive explosion, everyone around him had goosebumps.
- Après avoir vu ce film d'horreur, j'ai eu des frissons pendant des heures.After watching that horror movie, I had goosebumps for hours.
- Quand elle a entendu cette histoire particulièrement effrayante, elle a eu la peau d'oie.When she heard that particularly scary story, she got goosebumps.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are watching a scary movie.
- NathanCe film me donne la chair de poule.This movie is giving me goosebumps.
- ManonMoi aussi, c'est vraiment effrayant !Me too, it's really scary!
- NathanRegarde, j'ai même la chair de poule aux bras.Look, I even have goosebumps on my arms.
- ManonOn devrait peut-être l'éteindre.Maybe we should turn it off.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chair, de, la, poule, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
