Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| resquiller | /ʁɛs.ki.je/ | informal |
| passer devant tout le monde |
The phrase refers to the act of moving into a queue ahead of others.
Which one should you use?
resquiller is a more colloquial or informal way to describe someone cutting in line. In contrast, passer devant tout le monde is a more neutral and descriptive way to say that someone went in front of everyone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
resquiller is an informal term. Puis-je passer devant? is a polite way to ask, while Serait-il possible de me laisser passer devant? is an even more formal way to express the request. In informal settings, you might say Est-ce que je peux passer devant, s'il te plaît? or very informally, Je peux passer avant toi?
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to refer to the person who jumps the queue, you can use the noun resquilleur for a male or resquilleuse for a female.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʁɛs.ki.je/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The term resquiller is borrowed from the Occitan language, a regional Romance language spoken in southern France.
- In French, using tout le monde is a common way to say 'everyone', even though it literally translates to 'all the world'.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, madame. Puis-je passer devant? J'ai une urgence.Excuse me, madam. May I go ahead? I have an emergency.
- Hé, Pierre. Est-ce que je peux passer devant, s'il te plaît? J'ai juste besoin d'une minute.Hey, Pierre. Can I go ahead, please? I just need a minute.
- Il a essayé de resquiller à l'entrée.He tried to jump the queue at the entrance.
- Ne cherche pas à resquiller, c'est malpoli.Don't try to jump the queue, it's rude.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are waiting at a busy cafe.
- EmmaRegarde cet homme, il veut resquiller !Look at that man, he wants to jump the queue!
- GabrielC'est vrai, il passe devant tout le monde.It's true, he is going ahead of everyone.
- EmmaGabriel, dis-lui de faire la queue.Gabriel, tell him to queue up.
- GabrielJe ne veux pas faire d'histoires.I don't want to make a scene.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jump the queue” translations and entries resquiller, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries devant, le, monde, passer, resquiller, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
