Flying the Nest, French Style
The idioms French people use when they move out, settle into their first place and deal with homesick parents.
Young French people leave their parents' home at around 24 on average, often when they start university or their first job, and housing costs in Paris or Lyon push many to stay longer. Someone in their late twenties who still lives with their parents is jokingly called « un Tanguy », after a famous 2001 comedy film. Moving out is marked by « faire ses cartons » (packing) and a housewarming, « la crémaillère », for friends.
- 1
J'ai enfin quitté le nid.
I've finally flown the nest.
- 2
Il était temps !
It was about time!
- 3
Je veux voler de mes propres ailes.
I want to stand on my own two feet.
- 4
Mon frère, c'est un vrai Tanguy.
My brother is a real Tanguy.
- 5
Je fais mes cartons.
I'm packing up my stuff.
- 6
On pend la crémaillère samedi.
We're having a housewarming on Saturday.
- 7
Ma mère a pleuré toutes les larmes de son corps.
My mum cried her eyes out.
- 8
Mes parents doivent couper le cordon.
My parents need to cut the cord.
- 9
C'est un grand pas.
It's a big step.
- 10
C'est la fin d'une époque.
It's the end of an era.
- 11
Je dois me serrer la ceinture.
I'm having to tighten my belt.
- 12
J'ai du mal à joindre les deux bouts.
I struggle to make ends meet.
- 13
Les fins de mois sont difficiles.
The end of the month is tough.
- 14
C'est pas la mer à boire.
It's not that hard, you know.
- 15
J'apprends à me débrouiller tout seul.
I'm learning to manage on my own.
- 16
Je rentre chez mes parents pour le déjeuner du dimanche.
I go back to my parents' for Sunday lunch.
- 17
Je ramène encore mon linge sale.
I still bring my laundry back.
- 18
Ils ont transformé ma chambre en bureau.
They turned my room into an office.
- 19
Je me sens chez moi maintenant.
I feel at home now.
- 20
Mes parents ont le syndrome du nid vide.
My parents are suffering from empty nest syndrome.