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How to Say ‘The horse's head on the butcher's has lost an ear.’ in French

Tiens, l'enseigne de la boucherie chevaline a perdu une oreille.

tyehn l' ahn-sehnyuh duh lah boo-shuh-ree shuh-vah-leen ah pehr-dyoo ewn aw-ray

[tyehn l' ahn-sehnyuh duh lah boo-shuh-ree shuh-vah-leen ah pehr-dyoo ewn aw-ray]

💬 Usage Tip: Combining humor with ordinary observations is a staple of French dialogue.

🇫🇷 In France: Noticing such quirks is part of the French appreciation for detail and humor.

Phrase Breakdown

Tiens, l'enseigne de la boucherie chevaline

tyehn l' ahn-sehnyuh duh lah boo-shuh-ree shuh-vah-leen

Words in this phrase

Tiens

[tyehn]

Look

Used to draw attention to something.

Example

Tiens, il est là.

Look, he is there.

l'

[l']

the

Singular definite article.

Example

L'arbre est perdu.

The tree is lost.

enseigne

[ahn-sehnyuh]

sign

A board displaying information.

Example

L'enseigne est charmant.

The sign is charming.

de

[duh]

of

Used to express relationship or association.

Example

La clé de la chambre.

The key of the room.

la

[lah]

the

Definite article for feminine singular nouns.

Example

La voiture rapide.

The fast car.

boucherie

[boo-shuh-ree]

butchery

A shop where meat is sold.

Example

La boucherie sent bon.

The butchery smells good.

chevaline

[shuh-vah-leen]

horse meat

Relating to meat from a horse.

Example

La boucherie chevaline est unique.

The horse meat butchery is unique.

A perdu une oreille.

ah pehr-dyoo ewn aw-ray

Words in this phrase

a

[ah]

has

Used to indicate possession or experience.

Example

Elle a un vélo.

She has a bicycle.

perdu

[pehr-dyoo]

lost

To become unable to find something or someone.

Example

L'enseigne a perdu son éclat.

The sign lost its shine.

une

[ewn]

an

Indefinite article used before a vowel sound.

Example

Une fête est prévue.

A party is planned.

oreille

[aw-ray]

ear

The organ used for hearing.

Example

Son oreille est petite.

His ear is small.

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