Vive le vent
The English phrase "jingle bells" is referred to as Vive le vent in French.
While 'Jingle Bells' is associated with Christmas in English, the French title Vive le vent refers to a song whose lyrics do not actually mention Christmas.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Vive le vent literally translates to "Long live the wind".
Did you know?
- While the English song describes a sleigh ride, the lyrics of Vive le vent focus on the joys of winter and the cold wind blowing through the streets.
- The word vent shares a common ancestor with the English word 'wind', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂weh₁- meaning 'to blow'.
- The phrase Vive le vent uses the word vive, which is a subjunctive form used to express a wish or a cheer, similar to the English 'long live'.
Examples in context
- « Vive le vent », une chanson très appréciée à la période de Noël, n'est pas vraiment une chanson de Noël. Les paroles ne mentionnent nullement Noël."Jingle Bells," a popular song around Christmas time, is not really a Christmas song. The lyrics say nothing about Christmas.This sentence is useful for noting that although Vive le vent is a popular song around Christmas time, the lyrics of Vive le vent do not mention Christmas.Tatoeba #9520431 by Micsmithel, translation #684588 by CK
- Tu aimes bien chanter Vive le vent ?Do you like singing Jingle Bells?
- On a chanté Vive le vent ce matin.We sang Jingle Bells this morning.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are decorating the Christmas tree.
- ChloéQuelle chanson on met ?Which song should we put on?
- HugoMets Vive le vent, s'il te plaît.Put on Jingle Bells, please.
- ChloéC'est une super idée, Hugo !That's a great idea, Hugo!
- HugoJe l'adore, c'est un classique.I love it, it's a classic.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries le, vent, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
