25 Positive French Idioms Explained (+ Pronunciation And Literal Translation)

Welcome to this article “25 POSITIVE French Idioms Explained (+ Pronunciation And Literal Translation)”! Here, we’ll explore some cheerful and uplifting French expressions. You’ll learn how to say them, what they mean, and their true meanings in a fun and easy way.

25 Positive French idioms

Here are the 25 idioms:

Être au septième ciel

  1. Pronunciation: et-ruh oh set-ee-em see-el
  2. Literal translation: To be in seventh heaven
  3. Meaning: To be extremely happy or blissful

Avoir le cœur sur la main

  1. Pronunciation: ah-vwar luh ker sir lah mahn
  2. Literal translation: To have the heart on the hand
  3. Meaning: To be very generous

Voir la vie en rose

  1. Pronunciation: vwahr lah vee on rose
  2. Literal translation: To see life in pink
  3. Meaning: To see life in a very positive and optimistic way

Être né sous une bonne étoile

  1. Pronunciation: et-ruh nay soo oon bon et-wahl
  2. Literal translation: To be born under a good star
  3. Meaning: To be born lucky

Avoir la pêche

  1. Pronunciation: ah-vwar lah pesh
  2. Literal translation: To have the peach
  3. Meaning: To feel great, full of energy

Avoir la banane

  1. Pronunciation: ah-vwar lah bah-nahn
  2. Literal translation: To have the banana
  3. Meaning: To have a big smile

Être frais comme un gardon

  1. Pronunciation: et-ruh fray kum uhn gar-don
  2. Literal translation: To be fresh like a roach (the fish)
  3. Meaning: To be very fresh and energetic

Être plein d’énergie

  1. Pronunciation: et-ruh plen day-nair-zhee
  2. Literal translation: To be full of energy
  3. Meaning: To be very energetic

Tomber pile poil

  1. Pronunciation: tom-bay peel pwahl
  2. Literal translation: To fall exactly hair
  3. Meaning: To arrive or happen at just the right moment

Avoir le vent en poupe

  1. Pronunciation: ah-vwar luh vahn on poop
  2. Literal translation: To have the wind in the stern
  3. Meaning: To have favorable conditions or success

Chanter comme une casserole

  1. Pronunciation: shahn-tay kum oon cass-er-ole
  2. Literal translation: To sing like a saucepan
  3. Meaning: To sing very badly

Avoir la main verte

  1. Pronunciation: ah-vwar lah man vairt
  2. Literal translation: To have the green hand
  3. Meaning: To be good at gardening

Être comme un poisson dans l’eau

  1. Pronunciation: et-ruh kum uhn pwah-son don low
  2. Literal translation: To be like a fish in the water
  3. Meaning: To be very comfortable in one’s environment

Avoir un cœur d’or

  1. Pronunciation: ah-vwar uhn ker door
  2. Literal translation: To have a heart of gold
  3. Meaning: To be very kind and generous

Être sur son 31

  1. Pronunciation: et-ruh sir son trahnt-uhn
  2. Literal translation: To be on one’s 31
  3. Meaning: To be dressed very elegantly

C’est la cerise sur le gâteau

  1. Pronunciation: say lah suh-rees sir luh ga-toe
  2. Literal translation: It’s the cherry on the cake
  3. Meaning: It’s a wonderful addition to something already good

Rouler sur l’or

  1. Pronunciation: roo-lay sir lore
  2. Literal translation: To roll on gold
  3. Meaning: To be very wealthy

Faire la grasse matinée

  1. Pronunciation: fair lah grass mah-teen-ay
  2. Literal translation: To do the fat morning
  3. Meaning: To sleep in late

Être dans son assiette

  1. Pronunciation: et-ruh don son ah-see-et
  2. Literal translation: To be in one’s plate
  3. Meaning: To feel well, in good health

Mettre du baume au cœur

  1. Pronunciation: met-truh dew bom oh ker
  2. Literal translation: To put balm on the heart
  3. Meaning: To lift someone’s spirits, make someone feel better

Avoir un faible pour

  1. Pronunciation: ah-vwar uhn fay-bluh poor
  2. Literal translation: To have a weakness for
  3. Meaning: To have a soft spot for something or someone

Faire contre mauvaise fortune bon cœur

  1. Pronunciation: fair kon-truh mo-vayz for-toon bon ker
  2. Literal translation: To make good heart against bad fortune
  3. Meaning: To keep one’s spirits up despite misfortunes

Se sentir pousser des ailes

  1. Pronunciation: suh son-teer poo-say day z-eye-l
  2. Literal translation: To feel oneself grow wings
  3. Meaning: To feel very energetic or capable, as if one could do anything

Avoir l’œil

  1. Pronunciation: ah-vwar luh-euhl
  2. Literal translation: To have the eye
  3. Meaning: To be attentive or vigilant

Tirer son chapeau

  1. Pronunciation: tee-ray son shah-poh
  2. Literal translation: To pull one’s hat
  3. Meaning: To tip one’s hat, a way of showing respect or admiration for something done well

We hope you enjoyed learning these 25 positive French idioms and that they add a little joy and color to your language skills. Happy speaking!

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