Let’s explore some French Halloween expressions!  

 Although Halloween (pronounced “a-lo-ween”) is not a traditional French festival, it has become increasingly popular in France over the past 25 years. How about learning some French Halloween expressions?

Many years ago, I worked in an Irish bar in the South of France. When we threw a fancy-dress Halloween party the French customers embraced the spirit of the event wholeheartedly and took their déguisements very seriously. It was all about the gore…much more so than back in the UK at the time.

What is La Toussaint ?

At the time of the gorey Halloween party, I had the dubious delight of living on “rue du Cimetière”. No one had warned me that on November 1^st, la Toussaint, I would be woken (after a night of revelry and far too much Halloween punch) by swarms of chrysanthème carrying families on their annual visit to their family graves – as is the French tradition on All Saints’ Day.

Masculine or feminine?

The name of my old street reminds me that Hallowe’en vocabulary and expressions can pose a problem for English-speaking learners of French. Firstly, we are tricked by a couple of words that disguise themselves as feminine words when, in fact, they are masculine. These can catch out even the most advanced learner. I am referring to cimetière and squelette. Please note, these are both masculine nouns.

How do you say pumpkin in French?

Next, we are confronted by the spelling and nigh-impossible pronunciation of citrouille (see-trou-y). If you struggle with this word, my suggestion is to use the far easier alternative name of “un potiron”. It will save you much anxiety whilst you practise (see-trou-y) in private!

And what about “Trick or Treat”?

Firstly, how do we translate something that is not a traditional part of French culture?

Although trick or treating is not done widely in France, I have heard French children use a few expressions for this largely American tradition:

“Des bonbons ou des bétises” (sometimes shortened to “Bonbons ou bétises !”), “Des bonbons ou un sort !”, “Des bonbons ou la vie !” (I quite like the Dick Turpin imagery of this one!), and then, my favourite, “Farce ou friandise !” (I do love a bit of alliteration!). Which will you use?

Des bonbons ou un sort !

What sort of sweets do you, or your children enjoy eating at Halloween?

Of course, in France the popular sweet brand is Haribo – I am always astonished by the selection of Haribo sweets in French supermarkets.

Vous connaissez la pub pour les bonbons Haribo ?  “C’est beau la vie …pour les grand et les petits”. In the UK, the jingle goes like this: “Kids and grown-ups love it so…the happy world of Haribo”!

C’est beau la vie…pour les grands et les petits – surtout à Halloween !

Well, I am sure that life is pretty good for Haribo around Halloween too!

Finally, what I would really love to know is have you bought a stash of sweets ready for the kiddies who come knocking on the door, or if will you close the curtains, dim the lights, and pretend you are not in? Haha!

Je vous souhaite un joyeux Halloween ! Or should it be une joyeuse Halloween ? I will leave that debate for next year’s Halloween blog! Bisous,  Frannie x

P.S. Fancy listening to a fun, Halloween song and learning a few extra French Halloween expressions? Check out one of my favourites here: Halloween  – Alain le Lait