Getting Along with the Neighbours in France
Raise a problem with your neighbour without a fight, find a compromise and stay on good terms, with the idioms French neighbours really use.
Most French city dwellers live in a copropriété, a building whose shared parts are run by a syndic (managing agent), often slow to act, so neighbours tend to sort small problems out between themselves first. A leak from upstairs is handled through both flats' home insurance with a joint report (constat amiable dégât des eaux). Younger neighbours quickly switch to tu, older ones usually stay on vous, and every year many buildings hold a Fête des voisins at the end of May.
- 1
T'as deux minutes ?
Have you got a minute?
- 2
Je veux pas en faire tout un plat.
I don't want to make a big fuss about it.
- 3
Sans rancune.
No hard feelings.
- 4
C'est pas la mer à boire.
It's not the end of the world.
- 5
Tu peux me donner un coup de main ?
Can you give me a hand?
- 6
C'est la moindre des choses.
It's the least I can do.
- 7
J'ai mis les pieds dans le plat.
I really put my foot in it.
- 8
On va crever l'abcès.
Let's clear the air.
- 9
Ça me tape sur les nerfs.
It really gets on my nerves.
- 10
On est tous dans le même bateau.
We're all in the same boat.
- 11
On coupe la poire en deux.
Let's split the difference.
- 12
Passons l'éponge.
Let's forget about it.
- 13
Quel casse-pieds, ce syndic !
What a pain, this managing agent!
Tip: The firm that runs the building.
- 14
Tu peux jeter un œil à l'appart ?
Can you keep an eye on the flat?
- 15
On a parlé de la pluie et du beau temps.
We chatted about this and that.
- 16
Je veux pas jeter de l'huile sur le feu.
I don't want to add fuel to the fire.
- 17
C'est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase.
That's the last straw.
- 18
Elle a le cœur sur la main.
She's got a heart of gold.
- 19
On est en bons termes.
We're on good terms.
- 20
Quand on parle du loup…
Speak of the devil...