Bises, Shrugs and Eye-Rolls: French Body Language
Read and describe French gestures and faces, from la bise to the famous shrug.
Friends and family in France greet each other with la bise, cheek kisses whose number depends on the region: two in Paris and most of the country, three or even four in parts of the south and west. At work and with strangers a handshake is the norm, and you shake hands with everyone in the room, not just the boss. The puffed-lip « bof » with a shrug is a real part of French conversation and usually means indifference, not rudeness.
- 1
Ici, on se fait la bise pour se dire bonjour.
Here, people greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
- 2
Tu fais combien de bises à Paris ?
How many kisses do you do in Paris?
- 3
Au boulot, on se serre la main, c'est tout.
At work, people just shake hands.
- 4
Il a haussé les épaules.
He shrugged.
- 5
Elle a levé les yeux au ciel.
She rolled her eyes.
- 6
Regarde-le droit dans les yeux.
Look him straight in the eye.
- 7
Pourquoi tu croises les bras ?
Why are you crossing your arms?
- 8
Il fait la tête.
He's sulking.
- 9
Elle a fait la moue.
She pulled an unimpressed face.
- 10
Il m'a fait un clin d'œil.
He gave me a wink.
- 11
Ça se lit sur ton visage.
It's written all over your face.
- 12
Il est resté de marbre.
He kept a poker face.
- 13
Tiens-toi droit !
Stand up straight!
- 14
T'as l'air fatigué.
You look tired. (to a man)
- 15
Le fameux « bof » français.
The famous French 'meh'.
Tip: Comes with a shrug and puffed lips.
- 16
Elle parle avec les mains.
She talks with her hands.
- 17
Il m'a tapé dans le dos.
He patted me on the back.
- 18
J'en croyais pas mes yeux.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
- 19
Il avait la tête ailleurs.
His mind was elsewhere.
- 20
Fais une poignée de main ferme.
Give a firm handshake.