Skip to Content

Quel navet (What a dud, what a bad movie!)

Quel navet (What a dud, what a bad movie!)

“Quel navet !” is a fun French idiom that translates literally to “What a turnip!” and means a “dud”, “flop”, “rubbish” or “third-rate” in the context of cinema. A French translation is un mauvais film (a bad movie).

Quel navet !

What a dud, what a bad movie!

Quel navet! French expression - What a dud, what a bad movie!

Example sentences

This first sentence uses the inversion form for asking questions.

As-tu vu le nouveau Star Wars? – Ouai, je l’ai vu. Quel navet !

Did you see the new Star Wars (movie)? – Yeah, I saw it. What a dud!

For this second sentence ne…que is a French negation form meaning “only”.

Avant cet acteur a joué dans de bons films mais maintenant il ne joue que dans les navets.

Before this actor played in good movies but now he only plays in third-rate duds.

Expression origin

This expression dates back to the 17th century when French art students described l’Apollon du Belvédère, a repica of a 4th century BC statue, as a “navet allongé” (lying turnip). Since then, the expression has been used to describe poorly painted paintings, poorly written plays and poorly conceived films.

Related lesson

References
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