Skip to Content

Être un pince-sans-rire (Deadpan sense of humor)

The French expression “être un pince-sans-rire” translates literally to “to be a pinch without laughing”.

English meaning:

  • to have a deadpan sense of humor
  • to have dry-wit humor

French meaning:

  • pratiquer l’humour sans en avoir l’air – to practice humor without seeming to do so

Example sentence:

  • Jean a fait rire les gens sans aucune expression du visage. C’est un vrai pince-sans-rire. Jean made the people laugh without showing any facial expression. he has a real deadpan sense of humor.

Related:

  • impassible, inexpressif, figéall adjectives for deadpan
author avatar
David Issokson
David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

David Issokson

David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

See all posts by