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How To Use “Ça caille” (It’s freezing out) In French

How To Use “Ça caille” (It’s freezing out) In French

Today’s lesson examines the useful informal expression ça caille, which means “it’s freezing out” and “it’s really cold”. The verb cailler means both “to be freezing” and “to curdle”.

ça caille

It’s freezing out, it’s really cold

Pronunciation: [sa kaj]

Ça caille - French expression meaning: It's freezing out, it's really cold.

Example sentences

This first example sentence uses sortir, which means “to go out”. Students often confuse this verb with partir (to leave).

Ça caille aujourd’hui. Il fait moins seize degrès Celsius et je ne sors pas de la maison!

It’s freezing out today! It’s minus sixteen degrees Celsius and I’m not going out of the house!

This second example uses the masculine noun bonnet, which the English “bonnet” and winter hat.

Ça caille dehors. N’oublie pas de mettre ton bonnet !

It’s freezing outside! Don’t forget to put on your hat!

Related expressions

  • Il fait un froid de canard (Literally – it’s a cold of duck; It’s freezing out)
  • Il fait un temps glacial (Literally – it’s glacial weather; It’s very cold out)

Related lessons

Word of the Day archive | Lessons by David Issokson

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David Issokson
David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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