Nom d’une groupe de pop!
This Englishman, of course, would say “Criminy!” or “Yikes!”, or, anglo-saxon words to that effect.
Is “Sacre Bleu!” an archaic expression?
According to the huge French-English dictionary on my desk, yes.
We Americans are much more refined in our vowel sounds. Hubba! Hubba! And Twenty-three skidoo!
I’m sorry to hear that “scare bleu” is archaic. It was the only thing I had planned to use to substitute for profanit on my trip to Paris.
My wife is Italian / French and a native speaker of both languages.
I hear “ooh-la-la” quite often… it’s an all-purpose expression that, like most expressions can have good or bad conotations. e.g. If someone says something bad/nasty happened to someone (nothing too terrible), you could respond with “ooh-la-la”.
In a good sense, it might be used when presented with a really nice gift / plate of food etc…
“Sacre Bleu” is definately archaic and throughout all my time in France I have never heard anybody say it, even jokingly.
Hope that helps…
** Zoe ** - don’t worry too much. You can still use “putain fait ché!” - it’s not a substitute, but at least you will be profain in their langauge…
Although for extra authenticity and to guarantee proper credibility as a French speaker, you should consider upgrading that to “Putain, merde, fait chier! Saloperie de bordel de merde!”.
Zorro - spent a little time buying drugs in Paris have we eh ?
Yes…as witnissed in the Matrix…
“I have sampled every language, french is my favorite. Fantastic language, especially to curse with. Nom de dieu de putain de bordel de merde de saloperie de connard d’enculé de ta mère.” — The Merovingian, in the Matrix Reloaded
“Putain de bordel de merde” and “putain fait ché” are used almost daily (depends on how bad your day is going though!)
Not really. Just a lifetime of bilingual swearing.