mon Dieu
/mɔ̃ djø/
The English phrase "my goodness" can be translated into French as mon Dieu.
mon Dieu is used to express surprise, shock or amazement. Much like the English expression "my God", the intensity of the phrase depends on the speaker's tone, ranging from a mild exclamation to a more intense expression of shock.
Meaning: used to express surprise, shock, or amazement (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mon Dieu literally translates to "my God".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, one may hear Tabarnak! to convey surprise or disbelief.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɔ̃ djø/
Did you know?
- The word Dieu shares a common ancestor with the English word 'deity' and the name 'Diana', both stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'sky' or 'shining'.
- In Quebec, the phrase Tabarnak! is used for shock instead of mon Dieu because of sacres, where names of sacred objects like the tabernacle are turned into swear words.
- The French mon Dieu is often accompanied by specific physical gestures, such as pressing a palm to the forehead or throwing the hands up in the air.
Examples in context
- Mon Dieu! Il est magnifique!My goodness! He is magnificent!
- Oh là là! C'est incroyable!My goodness! It's incredible!
- Mon Dieu du Ciel! J'ai gagné à la loterie!Oh my goodness! I won the lottery!
- Mon Dieu, quel prix !My goodness, what a price!
- Mon Dieu, tu es en retard !My goodness, you are late!
- Mon Dieu, c'est magnifique !My goodness, it is magnificent!
Example conversation
Emma sees Nathan's new car in the driveway.
- EmmaMon Dieu, Nathan, quelle belle voiture !My goodness, Nathan, what a beautiful car!
- NathanMerci Emma, elle est toute neuve.Thank you Emma, it is brand new.
- EmmaElle est vraiment impressionnante.It is truly impressive.
- NathanJe suis très content de l'avoir.I am very happy to have it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mon Dieu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Dieu, dieu, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
