French phrase of the Day: Mon vieux
You might prefer not to be called old, but in France it's a nice thing.
Why do I need to know mon vieux or ma vieille?
Because it's a widely used casual term of endearment.
What does it mean?
As most people with a fairly basic grasp of French will know vieux (or vieille if you are talking about a woman or a feminine object) means old. So calling someone mon veiux is calling them my old fella.
But in fact this is a common term of endearment similar to calling someone mate or pal.
And it's regularly used too. While its closest English translation - old man or old boy - is now very old fashioned and not often heard outside World War II movies, the French equivalent is still common.
Salut, mon vieux, ça va? - Hiya pal, how's it going?
Merci, mon vieux, c'est mon vin préféré - Thanks mate, that wine is my favourite
As is its female equivalent ma vieille.
Merci d'avoir fait le ménage ma vieille, les tapis sont nickels - Thanks for doing the housework, love, those rugs are spotless
Ne t'inquiète pas ma vieille, il va revenir - Don't worry mate, he'll be back
For more French terms of endearment that sound rather insulting, click here.
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Why do I need to know mon vieux or ma vieille?
Because it's a widely used casual term of endearment.
What does it mean?
As most people with a fairly basic grasp of French will know vieux (or vieille if you are talking about a woman or a feminine object) means old. So calling someone mon veiux is calling them my old fella.
But in fact this is a common term of endearment similar to calling someone mate or pal.
And it's regularly used too. While its closest English translation - old man or old boy - is now very old fashioned and not often heard outside World War II movies, the French equivalent is still common.
Salut, mon vieux, ça va? - Hiya pal, how's it going?
Merci, mon vieux, c'est mon vin préféré - Thanks mate, that wine is my favourite
As is its female equivalent ma vieille.
Merci d'avoir fait le ménage ma vieille, les tapis sont nickels - Thanks for doing the housework, love, those rugs are spotless
Ne t'inquiète pas ma vieille, il va revenir - Don't worry mate, he'll be back
For more French terms of endearment that sound rather insulting, click here.
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