virelangue
The English phrase 'tongue twister' is translated into French as virelangue.
A virelangue refers to a phrase or sentence designed to be difficult to speak quickly and clearly. As a masculine noun, it is used with the masculine article un, as in un virelangue.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of virer, meaning 'to turn' or 'to veer' and langue, meaning 'tongue', literally translating to 'turns-tongue'.
Did you know?
- The verb virer inside virelangue is used in modern French slang to mean 'getting fired' from a job, though it has no connection to the act of twisting one's tongue.
- The word virelangue is a calque, meaning it was created by translating the English 'tongue twister' word-for-word into French rather than evolving from a native French idiom.
- In French speech training, the term virelangue is frequently used by actors and singers to practice 'diction', focusing on the precision of vowel and consonant placement.
Examples in context
- Quel est ton virelangue préféré ?What's your favorite tongue twister?This sentence is useful for asking someone which virelangue they like best.Tatoeba #1247660 by U2FS, translation #906917 by CK
- Les chaussettes de l'archiduchesse sont-elles sèches ou archi-sèches?Are the archduchess's socks dry or very dry?
- Si six scies scient six cyprès, six cent six scies scient six cent six cyprès.If six saws saw six cypresses, six hundred and six saws saw six hundred and six cypresses.
- Ce virelangue est vraiment difficile.This tongue twister is really difficult.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are practicing their pronunciation together.
- ChloéÉcoute ce virelangue, Hugo !Listen to this tongue twister, Hugo!
- HugoIl a l'air très compliqué.It sounds very complicated.
- ChloéEssaie de le dire très vite.Try to say it very quickly.
- HugoJe n'y arrive pas, c'est trop dur !I can't do it, it's too hard!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries virelangue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
