Sacrebleu
/sa.kʁə.blø/
Sacrebleu is the French way to say sacrebleu.
Sacrebleu is an interjection used to express surprise, shock or indignation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Sacrebleu is considered archaic. It is rarely used in modern spoken French, often appearing now only in literature or to caricature a stereotypical French person. For an informal way to express surprise, frustration or anger, you might encounter Bordel.
Did you know?
- The word sacrebleu is a 'minced oath', created by replacing 'Dieu' with 'bleu' to avoid committing blasphemy.
- Using Sacrebleu can actually make a French person laugh, as it sounds like a caricature of their own culture in foreign films.
- Similar to how English speakers once used 'gosh' instead of 'God', sacrebleu served as a socially acceptable way to vent frustration without being vulgar.
Examples in context
- Parbleu! Je ne m'attendais pas à te voir ici!By Jove! I didn't expect to see you here!
Example conversation
Léa accidentally knocks over a vase.
- LéaSacrebleu, j'ai cassé le vase !Good heavens, I broke the vase!
- GabrielNe t'inquiète pas, Léa.Don't worry, Léa.
- LéaIl était si beau !It was so beautiful!
- GabrielOn peut le recoller, Gabriel t'aidera.We can glue it back, Gabriel will help you.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry sacrebleu.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sacrebleu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
