French expression of the day: Au bout
This expression is key if you want to master the art of French exasperation.
Why do I need to know au bout?
Because dramatic flair is pretty important in France - and in the French language.
What does it mean?
Au bout or à bout translates to 'at the end', 'on the verge' or 'on the edge'.
This is a slang expression and it's usually accompanied by de ma vie - au bout de ma vie means 'at the end of my life'.
Not to be used literally, this means that you are exhausted and tired, maybe even a little sick of the world.
For example, if you have had a long week and you're swamped with work even though it's Friday afternoon and you're practically dying to go home and put your feet up, you could exclaim:
Je suis au bout de ma vie ! - I am at the end of my life!
Really it means 'I'm exhausted' or 'I can't take it anymore'.
Use it like this
It's usually thrown out in exasperation and it's a good expression to use slightly ironically. No one will think you're actually dying, but it will definitely earn you sympathy points.
A good alternative to au bout de ma vie is au bout du rouleau, which means 'exhausted' or 'burnt out'.
You can also shorten it to simply, je suis à bout and linger on the boooouuuuuut (however this is slang).
Or, for extra melodrama, say, je suis au bout du bout du bout de ma vie - I'm at the end of the end of the end.
READ ALSO: The 10 best French expressions for the everyday exasperation of life
You can also use it on others:
Les pauvres, l'équipe était complètement au bout de leurs vies à la fin du match. - Poor team, they were totally knackered at the end of the game.
Elle est au bout de sa vie en ce moment, elle taffe trop. - She's completely drained right now, she's working too much.
Synonyms
Je n'en peux plus - I can't take (it) anymore
J'en ai marre - I'm sick of this
Je suis épuisé - I'm exhausted
Je n'ai plus de morale - I'm not motivated anymore
Don't mistake it for this..
Au bout can also mean 'all the way', as in J'y vais jusqu'au bout ! - I'm going all the way!
Here, au bout reflects a set goal rather than a personal state of mind.
For example, before a football game the captain might shout:
On y va jusqu'au bout les gars ! - We're going to go all the way lads!
On continue jusqu'au bout de la rue ? - Shall we continue all the way to the end of the road?
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Why do I need to know au bout?
Because dramatic flair is pretty important in France - and in the French language.
What does it mean?
Au bout or à bout translates to 'at the end', 'on the verge' or 'on the edge'.
This is a slang expression and it's usually accompanied by de ma vie - au bout de ma vie means 'at the end of my life'.
Not to be used literally, this means that you are exhausted and tired, maybe even a little sick of the world.
For example, if you have had a long week and you're swamped with work even though it's Friday afternoon and you're practically dying to go home and put your feet up, you could exclaim:
Je suis au bout de ma vie ! - I am at the end of my life!
Really it means 'I'm exhausted' or 'I can't take it anymore'.
Use it like this
It's usually thrown out in exasperation and it's a good expression to use slightly ironically. No one will think you're actually dying, but it will definitely earn you sympathy points.
A good alternative to au bout de ma vie is au bout du rouleau, which means 'exhausted' or 'burnt out'.
You can also shorten it to simply, je suis à bout and linger on the boooouuuuuut (however this is slang).
Or, for extra melodrama, say, je suis au bout du bout du bout de ma vie - I'm at the end of the end of the end.
READ ALSO: The 10 best French expressions for the everyday exasperation of life
You can also use it on others:
Les pauvres, l'équipe était complètement au bout de leurs vies à la fin du match. - Poor team, they were totally knackered at the end of the game.
Elle est au bout de sa vie en ce moment, elle taffe trop. - She's completely drained right now, she's working too much.
Synonyms
Je n'en peux plus - I can't take (it) anymore
J'en ai marre - I'm sick of this
Je suis épuisé - I'm exhausted
Je n'ai plus de morale - I'm not motivated anymore
Don't mistake it for this..
Au bout can also mean 'all the way', as in J'y vais jusqu'au bout ! - I'm going all the way!
Here, au bout reflects a set goal rather than a personal state of mind.
For example, before a football game the captain might shout:
On y va jusqu'au bout les gars ! - We're going to go all the way lads!
On continue jusqu'au bout de la rue ? - Shall we continue all the way to the end of the road?
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