bordel de merde
/bɔʁ.dɛl də mɛʁd/
The English phrase 'holy crap' can be expressed in French as bordel de merde.
While it functions as an exclamation of surprise like 'holy crap', it is much more vulgar and carries a stronger sense of profanity.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'brothel of shit'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This expression is vulgar.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔʁ.dɛl də mɛʁd/
Did you know?
- In French, the word merde is used as a theatrical superstition to wish performers 'good luck' before they go on stage. It is the equivalent of the English 'break a leg'.
- The word bordel evolved from the Medieval Latin bordellum, which meant a 'small hut' or 'cottage'. It moved from describing a simple shelter to a place of ill-repute before becoming a general exclamation for chaos.
- In many contexts, French speakers use bordel as a standalone exclamation to express frustration or chaos, much like saying 'what a mess'.
Examples in context
- Nom de Dieu! Regardez la taille de ce fromage!Holy crap! Look at the size of this cheese!
- Bordel de merde, j'ai encore oublié mes clés !Holy crap, I forgot my keys again!
- Il y a un accident, bordel de merde.There is an accident, holy crap.
- Bordel de merde, quel prix exorbitant !Holy crap, what an exorbitant price!
Example conversation
Chloé has just spilled coffee all over Gabriel's new laptop.
- GabrielBordel de merde, mon ordinateur est trempé !Holy crap, my computer is soaked!
- ChloéOh non, Gabriel, je suis vraiment désolée.Oh no, Gabriel, I am really sorry.
- GabrielIl faut l'éteindre tout de suite.We have to turn it off right away.
- ChloéJe vais chercher du papier absorbant immédiatement.I will get some paper towels immediately.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bordel de merde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bordel, de, merde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
