porter la poisse
/pɔʁ.te la pwas/
The French phrase for jinx is porter la poisse.
Porter la poisse is used to describe a person or thing that is thought to bring bad luck or to jinx a situation.
Meaning: a person or thing supposed to bring bad luck (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down to porter la poisse, where la poisse literally refers to a sticky substance like pitch or glue, which metaphorically represents persistent bad luck.
Which one should you use?
While porter la poisse is used for a person or thing that brings bad luck, it is distinct from the more formal porter malheur. Additionally, the word chips is used as an interjection after simultaneous speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Porter la poisse is a colloquial and informal way to say someone or something is a jinx or brings bad luck.
Related words
Did you know?
- A person who is habitually unlucky or seen as a jinx can be called a poisseux. This transforms the noun for sticky pitch into a personality trait.
- The verb porter in this phrase shares an ancient root with the English word 'port', coming from the Proto-Indo-European word for 'to go' or 'traverse'.
- While porter la poisse is used for a general jinx, the more formal porter malheur is often reserved for specific omens, such as the superstition involving breaking a mirror.
Examples in context
- Chaque fois que je porte cette chemise, il arrive quelque chose de mal. C'est comme une malédiction !Every time I wear this shirt, something bad happens. It's like a jinx!
- Oh non, n'invite pas Tom à la partie de poker. Il porte toujours la poisse !Oh no, don't invite Tom to the poker game. He always brings bad luck!
- Ne prête pas ta voiture à Marc. Il est vraiment poisseux, et elle finit toujours par être abîmée !Don't lend your car to Marc. He's so jinxed, and it always ends up getting damaged!
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are about to play a board game.
- ChloéJe ne veux pas jouer, je vais porter la poisse.I don't want to play, I'll be a jinx.
- HugoMais non, Chloé, tu ne portes pas la poisse.No way, Chloé, you aren't a jinx.
- ChloéC'est vrai, je perds toujours tout.It's true, I always lose everything.
- HugoAllez, lance les dés, Hugo te soutient !Come on, roll the dice, Hugo is rooting for you!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry porter la poisse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, poisse, porter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
