What does it mean word for word?
The verb sécher literally means to dry. The phrase sécher les cours is metaphorically equivalent to letting the classes dry up or leaving them to dry.
Which one should you use?
While sécher les cours uses the plural to mean 'to skip class' as a general habit or concept, you should use the singular form sécher le cours if you are referring to one specific, single class session.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Sécher les cours is a colloquial expression commonly used by students. It is not suitable for formal use, such as in an official academic report or a professional setting. Another colloquial option is Faire l'école buissonnière, which means 'to play truant'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, you may use the phrase Lâcher les cours instead of sécher les cours to mean 'to skip class'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the plural sécher les cours to speak generally, but switch to the singular sécher le cours when talking about one specific class.
Did you know?
- The phrase faire l'école buissonnière literally translates to 'doing the bush school', referring to children hiding in the countryside to avoid lessons.
- The verb sécher is used not only for skipping school but also to describe a conversation that is 'dry' or boring.
- The Quebec expression lâcher les cours uses the verb lâcher, which can also mean 'to let go' or 'to release', suggesting a breaking of ties with the institution.
Examples in context
- Je vais manquer le cours aujourd'huiI am going to skip class today
- On va sécher les cours cet après-midiWe're going to skip class this afternoon
- Il aime bien faire l'école buissonnièreHe enjoys playing truant
- Je vais manquer le cours de français pour aller au cinéma.I am going to skip the French class to go to the cinema.
- On peut sécher les cours cet après-midi et aller se balader en ville.We can skip class this afternoon and go for a walk in town.
- Pourquoi est-ce que tu veux faire l'école buissonnière encore une fois ?Why do you want to play truant again?
- Il a séché le cours de maths pour aller au cinéma.He skipped math class to go to the cinema.
- Il a décidé de sécher les cours hier.He decided to skip class yesterday.
- On ne devrait pas sécher les cours.We shouldn't skip class.
- Tu veux sécher les cours pour aller au ciné ?Do you want to skip class to go to the movies?
Example conversation
Two students are talking in the university hallway.
- ChloéOn va sécher les cours cet après-midi ?Are we going to skip class this afternoon?
- NathanNon, je ne veux pas sécher les cours, Chloé.No, I don't want to skip class, Chloé.
- ChloéPourquoi es-tu si sérieux, Nathan ?Why are you so serious, Nathan?
- NathanParce que l'examen est très important.Because the exam is very important.
