Speaking French is an opportunity and allows you to travel to many countries without any language barriers! However, while there are many French-speaking countries, they all have their own expressions and accents, giving the language various nuances that it is very interesting to discover! We had already revealed our 10 favorite Quebec expressions in another article. This time, we will only have to travel a few kilometres to visit French-speaking Belgium and hear other typical ways of saying that could well enrich our daily conversation! Here are 10 Belgian expressions to know before you pack your bags for Brussels or Bruges!
"After me, flies! »
If in France we say more willingly "after me the flood! ", in reference to Madame de Pompadour who used this expression during France's defeat against the Prussian army in Belgium, it is the flies that are left behind! If a Belgian uses "after me flies! "Be sure he doesn't care much about what happens after he leaves, it's the flies that will take over!
"Having an egg to peel with someone"
If a Belgian tells you that he has "an egg to peel with someone", it does not mean that he would like to cook with him! Moreover, peeling one and the same egg together seems complicated... Understand the image behind this activity of removing the shell, and therefore revealing the egg: "having an egg to peel with someone" means having accounts to settle with this person, to clarify a situation
"To be someone's blue"
If in France romantics are very "blue flower", in our Belgian neighbours the blue is used to translate transient love. So, if you are told that you are blue of yourself, we are indeed making a declaration of love to you! "Being blue" is also used for objects, however. In Belgium, you can therefore just as easily be blue with your new pair of shoes or your car! Blue, the color of love?
"Playing with someone's feet"
If a Belgian tells you that someone is playing with his feet, don't expect him to take off his shoes. Less imaginatively, it is not really with your feet that you are playing, but rather with your patience by testing your limits. An expression that is difficult to understand without knowing it! We will then avoid pulling the rope so as not to be accused of playing with someone's feet!
"Don't have all your fries in the same bag"
That's our favorite expression! In France, when you deal with someone you find rather simple-minded, even stupid, you accuse them of "not having light on every floor". In Belgium the equivalent of this pictorial expression refers to a tasty element of Belgian culture: the French fry! Thus, we will say that this person "does not have all his fries in the same bag"!
"Pull your plan"
If after asking too many questions to your Belgian interlocutor, he replies curtly to you to "draw your plan", it is time to manage by yourself! This expression has the merit of being clear, "drawing your plan" means taking charge of your life. Unlike the expression "drawing shots from the comet", "drawing your shot" therefore presents a very concrete and ordered idea. So we stop playing with everyone's feet and get the plan!
"Brush the courses"
In France, a student is accused of skipping school or playing hooky when he or she did not go to school voluntarily. In Belgium, it will be more common to use "brushing the courses". The verb to brush could come from the verb to brush, either to walk in the woods and therefore... to play hooky! Not sure that all the students who dry out school are taking a bucolic walk in the woods, but the expression is to be known!
"Losing your sandwiches"
If a Belgian tells you that he has "lost his sandwiches", don't think it's a commonplace breakfast story! No, "losing your sandwiches" means "losing your mind", or "losing the north". After the French fries, it could well be that the sandwiches will also become part of the great culinary culture of the flat country! And finally, they're right: starting a day without buttery bread could make more than one person lose their way!
"It tastes like me! »
In a restaurant, while you are enjoying your meal, a Belgian might ask you: "Does it taste good? This particular use of the verb "goûter" is not very common in France today, but remains very common in Belgium where many things really taste good! Chocolate, waffles, beer or French fries, the country is a concentrate of flavours, so it is not surprising that we have kept this use of the verb goûter !
"Go to Guindaille"
If you are offered to go to Guindaille, don't imagine visiting a small town in Belgium. It is an invitation to come and celebrate, especially used by students. Originally, a guindaille was a little satirical song sung at student meetings. Today, the bawdy songs are still present, all in a typically Belgian festive atmosphere. So don't hesitate to go to Guindaille!
