When Your Car Gives Up in France
The colourful expressions French drivers and mechanics use when a car breaks down, needs repairs and costs a fortune.
In France cars over four years old must pass the contrôle technique every two years, and a failed test means repairs and a « contre-visite » within two months. You can use an independent garage or chains like Norauto, Speedy or Midas; always ask for a « devis », a written quote, before work starts. Mechanics use vous with customers, while friends complaining about their car use tu and plenty of slang.
- 1
Ma voiture est tombée en rade.
My car broke down. (casual)
- 2
Elle a rendu l'âme.
It's given up the ghost.
- 3
J'ai eu un pépin sur l'autoroute.
I had a bit of trouble on the motorway.
- 4
Ça sent le roussi.
This smells like trouble.
- 5
La batterie est à plat.
The battery is flat.
- 6
Le voyant moteur s'est allumé.
The engine warning light came on.
- 7
Elle tient avec trois bouts de ficelle.
It's held together with sticky tape.
- 8
Vous pouvez me faire un devis ?
Could you give me a quote?
- 9
Ça va coûter les yeux de la tête.
It's going to cost an arm and a leg.
- 10
C'est pas donné.
It's not cheap.
- 11
Il va falloir passer à la caisse.
We'll have to cough up.
- 12
Je veux pas me faire avoir.
I don't want to get ripped off.
- 13
Ça vaut pas le coup de la réparer.
It's not worth repairing it.
- 14
Elle passe le contrôle technique le mois prochain.
It's going for its MOT next month.
- 15
On n'est pas sortis de l'auberge.
We're not out of the woods yet.
- 16
Prenez votre mal en patience.
Just be patient.
- 17
C'est du rafistolage.
It's a botched job.
- 18
Maintenant, le moteur tourne comme une horloge.
Now the engine runs like clockwork.
- 19
T'as eu du bol.
You were lucky. (casual)
- 20
Ça roule !
All good, off we go!