Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French word of the day: Youpi

For everyday pleasures, big and small.

Published: 6 May 2021 12:53 CEST
French word of the day: Youpi
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

Why do I need to know youpi?

Because, although pretty basic, it sounds different to equivalents in other languages. Plus we often teach you swearwords and phrases that express exasperation, but knowing how to express joy in French is key as well.

What does it mean?

Youpi is French for ‘whoopee’ or ‘yippee’, that cry of joy that exists in different variants internationally.

The French youpi is pronounced something like ‘yo-pee’ (or ‘ju-pi’). Some spell it youppi.

Youpi is like ‘weehoo’, ‘yay’ or ‘hoorah’ – it’s just a way to show that you’re excited about something. 

It is colloquial, but sweet and no one will think badly of you for saying it at work for example (provided something happens that merits a cry of enthusiasm).

Use it like this

On part en vacances demain, youpi ! – We’re going on holiday tomorrow, yippee!

Youpi, j’ai trop hâte de boire un verre en terrasse ! – Yippee, I can’t wait to have a drink out on a terrace!

Je pense qu’il va gagner, youpi ! – I think he’s going to win, yay!

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Expression of the Day: Avec des si on mettrait Paris en bouteille

This French expression can help bring the conversation back down to reality.

Published: 7 May 2024 11:38 CEST
French Expression of the Day: Avec des si on mettrait Paris en bouteille

Why do I need to know avec des si on mettrait Paris en bouteille?

Because every so often we all have outlandish things to say.

What does it mean?

Avec des si on mettrait Paris en bouteille – roughly pronounced ah-veck day see ohn met-tray Par-ee ahn boo-tie – translates as ‘with ifs we could put Paris in a bottle’. 

As you might’ve guessed, this French expression is not a literal one. In reality, avec des si… is more of a proverb than something you would say in everyday conversation, though don’t be surprised if an older French person uses it to temper your expectations.

People have been speaking this French phrase since at least the 18th century, and it is meant to be a warning against unnecessary or irrelevant speculation and doubt. 

The expression basically means if the impossible were possible (e.g. putting the entire city of Paris into a bottle), then reality would be different, but there is no point in worrying or fantasising about unrealistic things.

A similar English expression might be “if ‘its’ and ‘buts’ were candy and nuts, it would be Christmas every day”.

You might use this French expression if your friend has a habit of imagining the worst case scenario all the time.

Someone might also add it after describing an unlikely hypothetical situation – for example ‘if I were president…’ or ‘if I were the wealthiest person in the world…’

Use it like this

Si je dirigeais le monde, je mettrais fin à la faim dans le monde, mais avec des si on mettrait Paris en bouteille. – If I ruled the world, then I’d end global hunger, but no point in fantasising about the impossible.

Si j’étais maire de Paris, j’exigerais que tous les habitants nettoient les déjections de leurs chiens, mais bon. Avec des si on mettrait Paris en bouteille. – If I was the mayor of Paris, I’d make everyone clean up after their dogs, but whatever. That’s a pipe dream.

SHOW COMMENTS