One of the great joys of learning French in Bordeaux is discovering the local expressions that you will never find in a textbook. Bordeaux has its own dialect, le bordeluche, which comes from Occitan, the ancient language of the south of France. In this article, we explore four unmissable expressions from Bordeaux that will make you sound like a true Bordelais.

I. "Gavé" : the Bordeaux word for "very"

Gavé is probably the most famous of all expressions from Bordeaux. You will hear it constantly in the streets, cafés and bars of the city. It means "very" or "really" and is used to intensify any adjective or verb. C'est gavé bien ! means "it is really good!" C'est gavé beau ! means "it is so beautiful!"

Although young people in Bordeaux use it all the time, they did not invent it. Gavé comes from le bordeluche, the old dialect of Bordeaux, itself derived from Occitan. It was originally brought to the region by people coming from Spain and Portugal. It is an informal expression, best used with friends and family rather than in a professional context. But once you arrive in Bordeaux, you will hear it everywhere!

II. "Aller au maille" : going to work

Aller au maille is one of those expressions from Bordeaux that perfectly captures the local spirit. It means "to go to work". You might hear someone say: "Je vais au maille" (I am going to work) or "Je retourne au maille" (I am going back to work). Sometimes, the tone suggests a certain reluctance: you have to go, even if you would rather stay on the terrace with a glass of Lillet!

Like many expressions from Bordeaux, aller au maille comes from le bordeluche and ultimately from the Occitan language, which was spoken throughout the south of France for centuries.

III. "Avoir les monges" : being afraid

Avoir les monges means "to be afraid" or "to be nervous". It is one of the most endearing expressions from Bordeaux, used when you feel anxious or scared about something. For example: "J'ai un oral cet après-midi, j'ai les monges!" (I have an oral exam this afternoon, I am so nervous!) Or simply: "Je pars en voyage seul, les monges!" (I am travelling alone, I am terrified!)

No surprise here: like the other expressions from Bordeaux in this article, avoir les monges also comes from le bordeluche, the old language of the city.

IV. "Ça daille" : that is annoying

Ça daille is another classic among expressions from Bordeaux. It means "that is annoying" or "that bothers me". Where the rest of France says ça craint, the people of Bordeaux say ça daille. You can also say ça me daille or ça te daille. For example: "Il n'y a plus de canelés, ça daille!" (There are no more canelés left, that is so annoying!)

Ça daille also comes from Occitan, confirming that le bordeluche is very much alive in the everyday speech of Bordeaux.

Learn more expressions from Bordeaux

These four expressions from Bordeaux are just the beginning. The local dialect is rich, warm and full of surprises. The best way to learn them is to come to Bordeaux and speak with the locals. Our French language courses in Bordeaux will teach you the real French spoken in the streets, markets and cafés of the city.

You might also enjoy our article on "Une poche": another famous expression from Bordeaux or discover our cultural activities in Bordeaux.

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