gueule de bois
/ɡœl də bwa/feminine
The English phrase "hangover" is translated into French as gueule de bois.
gueule de bois is used to describe the negative physical effects caused by heavy drinking.
Meaning: negative effects caused by heavy drinking (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "wooden mouth".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
gueule de bois is an informal or colloquial term. This is because it uses the word gueule, which is a vulgar or slang term for "mouth", similar to the English words "maw" or "trap".
How does it change in a sentence?
This phrase is most commonly used with the verb avoir (to have) rather than être (to be).
Did you know?
- While gueule de bois is used for a hangover, the word gueule is normally reserved for the mouths of animals. Using it for a human is a deliberate way to be slangy or slightly insulting.
- The word gueule is a doublet of goulet, which refers to the neck of a bottle. This creates a subtle linguistic link between the 'mouth' of the person and the 'neck' of the bottle that caused the hangover.
Examples in context
- J'ai la gueule de bois.I have a hangover.This sentence is useful for expressing that you personally have a hangover.Tatoeba #747300 by Cocorico, translation #280988 by CK
- Tom a la gueule de bois.Tom has a hangover.This sentence is useful for saying that someone else has a hangover.Tatoeba #4293865 by Khirthash, translation #1177618 by CK
- J'ai une énorme gueule de bois.I've got a bad hangover.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that you have a very bad hangover.Tatoeba #5449589 by Selenyt, translation #2359554 by CK
- J'ai une terrible gueule de bois aujourd'huiI have a terrible hangover today
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are sitting in a quiet cafe the morning after a party.
- HugoTu as la gueule de bois ?Do you have a hangover?
- ManonOui, j'ai une terrible gueule de bois.Yes, I have a terrible hangover.
- HugoOn devrait commander un café noir.We should order a black coffee.
- ManonBonne idée, j'en ai besoin.Good idea, I need it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hangover” translations and entries gueule de bois, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bois, de, gueule, gueule de bois, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
