un bonbon ou un sort
Trick or treating in French is un bonbon ou un sort.
The phrase un bonbon ou un sort refers to the Halloween custom where children go from house to house asking for candy. You may also encounter more descriptive, informal ways to express the activity, such as Faire du porte-à-porte pour des bonbons or Faire la tournée des bonbons.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase un bonbon ou un sort literally translates to a candy or a spell.
Did you know?
- Halloween is not a traditional holiday in France, so you will find that un bonbon ou un sort is used much less frequently than 'trick or treat' is used in English-speaking countries.
- The word sort used in this phrase shares a root with the English word 'sort', as both derive from the Latin 'sortem' which originally referred to a lot or fate.
Examples in context
- On va faire le porte-à-porte pour des bonbons ce soir. Tu viens avec nous?We're going trick-or-treating tonight. Are you coming with us?
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are standing on a neighbor's porch.
- HugoOn peut faire un bonbon ou un sort ici ?Can we go trick or treating here?
- EmmaOui, frappez à la porte, Hugo.Yes, knock on the door, Hugo.
- HugoJe suis prêt pour un bonbon ou un sort !I am ready for trick or treating!
- EmmaRegarde, Emma, ils ouvrent la porte !Look, Emma, they are opening the door!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bonbon, ou, sort, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
