As winter descends and frosty winds nip at your nose, mastering the art of expressing coldness in French becomes an essential skill if you are learning French. Fear not, for this guide unveils a treasure trove of ten vivid expressions that will transform you into a true connoisseur of French winter vocabulary!

Conquering the Chill: A Guide to French Cold-Weather Expressions 🥶

« Il fait » is very often used to describe the weather in French. You will notice it in the following expressions.

Listen to the expressions here :

1. Il fait froid 🥶 (It’s cold) / J’ai froid (I am cold)

This ubiquitous expression serves as the cornerstone of French conversations about chilly weather. Universally understood and appropriate in any context, it’s the perfect go-to phrase for beginners. For emphasis during particularly frigid conditions, feel free to layer on a « très » or two, transforming it into « Brrr, il fait très froid! » (it’s very cold!).

example : Il fait trop froid aujourd’hui ! J’aurais dû mettre ma doudoune ! = It’s way too cold today! I should have worn my puffer jacket!

2. Il fait un froid de canard 🦆 (lit. « It’s a duck’s cold » = it’s freezing)

This delightful idiom, though informal, injects a touch of whimsy into conveying coldness.

« Un canard » is a duck. The expressions origins lie in duck hunting, a practice that coincides with the colder months. Hunters enduring the bone-chilling temperatures as they wait by icy waters for their feathered prey christened this unique expression.

3. Il fait un froid sibérien 🧊 (It’s a Siberian cold / It’s Baltic!)

As the name suggests, this expression evokes the notoriously harsh Siberian climate. It perfectly encapsulates the kind of cold that seeps deep into your bones and sends shivers down your spine, making you yearn for the warmth of spring. You can also say « on se croirait en Sibérie ! ».

4. Il gèle / Ça gèle ❄️ (It’s freezing)

Another essential expression, « il gèle » directly translates to « it’s freezing » and is suitable for all audiences. A crucial distinction to remember is that « geler » means freezing in French.

5. Il gèle à pierre fendre 🪨 ⚡(It’s freezing enough to crack a stone)

This evocative expression, steeped in science, takes inspiration from the transformative power of freezing temperatures.

As water freezes, it expands due to its molecular structure. This expansion can even crack (= fendre) stones (= pierres) if water seeps inside them and freezes, making this saying a vivid portrayal of extreme cold !

6. Ça caille! ❄️ (It’s freezing)

This informal expression, though seemingly unrelated to cold weather, derives from the verb « cailler, » meaning « to curdle » or « coagulate. »

The underlying idea is that intense cold causes bodily fluids to thicken, mimicking curdling. So, the next time you feel the cold turning your insides into a slush, you can exclaim « Ça caille!« 

7. Ça pique 😓 (It pinches)

Imagine a crispness in the air that nips at your exposed skin. That’s precisely what « ça pique » captures.

8. On se les pèle 🍑🧊 (We are peeling our butts)

Be warned, this is a decidedly informal expression best reserved for casual conversations among friends.

Literally translating to « we are peeling our buttocks, » it’s a colorful way to say you’re freezing. It refers to the dry, peeling skin caused by harsh winter air.

Beyond the Basics

Understanding these expressions goes beyond mere vocabulary acquisition. It’s a gateway into French culture, revealing how the French perceive and describe the world around them. By incorporating these phrases into your conversations, you’ll not only enhance your fluency but also gain a deeper appreciation for French nuances.

Bonus Tip: Embracing the Power of Body Language

When expressing coldness in French, don’t underestimate the power of nonverbal cues. Shivering, hugging yourself, and puffing out your breath can all effectively amplify your verbal communication !

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