Today’s lesson examines the fun and super useful French swear word bordel. As as expletive it means “sh*t!” or “dammit!”. As a masculine noun it translates literally to brothel and also means mess or pigsty.
le bordel
sh*t!, dammit!, mess, pigsty, brothel
Pronunciation: [bɔʀdɛl]
Example sentences
This first sentence uses a si clause with the present and future tense: Si + action in the prenent tense, then + action in the future tense. The verb ranger can translate to: To clean, to tidy and to put away.
Oh là là, quel bordel ! Si tu ne ranges pas tes jouets maman sera très fâchée !
Yikes! What a mess! If you don’t pick up your toys mom will be very mad!
This second sentence uses bordel as an expletive interjection meaning “sh*t” or “dammit!”. The expression en avoir marre means to be sick of or fed up. Connerie is a fun informal word meaning silly thing or stupid act.
Bordel de merde ! J’en ai marre de tes conneries !
Sh*t! I’m sick of your stupidity!
This final sentence uses bordel in the traditional sense of brothel or house of ill repute. Il y a means both there is (or there are) and ago.
Il y a quantre-vingt ans, c’était un bordel.
Eighty years ago it was a brothel.
Related lessons
- Enfoiré – b*stard, jerk
- 5 Ways To Use “Chiant” (Pain in the ass) In French
- Foutre – super useful slang verb
- French slang overview
- Ranger – to pickup, to tiday
- Oh là là – Oh, wow, yikes!
Word of the Day lessons archive | Lessons by David Issokson
