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How to Say ‘The DJ isn't exactly being subtle tonight.’ in French

Le DJ ne fait pas dans la dentelle ce soir.

Luh dee-JEE nuh feh pah dahn lah dahn-TEL suh swahr

[Luh dee-JEE nuh feh pah dahn lah dahn-TEL suh swahr]

🇫🇷 In France: Joking about the loud music is a light, natural way to set up the suggestion of moving somewhere quieter.

Phrase Breakdown

Le DJ ne fait pas

Luh dee-JEE nuh feh pah

The DJ isn't doing

'DJ' is said the French way: 'di-djé'. The 'ne' is light.

Example

Le DJ ne fait pas de pause.

The DJ isn't taking a break.

Words in this phrase

[Luh]

The (masculine singular)

Definite article used before masculine singular nouns.

Example

Le chat est noir.

The cat is black.

[dee-JEE]

Disc jockey who plays music at a bar or club.

Example

Le DJ passe de la bonne musique.

The DJ is playing good music.

[nuh]

(negation) not

Negation particle used with another negative word (ne… rien). In speech, it can be dropped, but it’s standard in writing.

Example

Ne me raconte rien sur l’anime, je veux garder la surprise.

Don’t tell me anything about the anime, I want to keep the surprise.

fait

[feh]

does / makes

fait is used in faire du bien, meaning does good.

Example

Marcher dehors fait du bien.

Walking outside does good.

pas

[pah]

not (negation)

Second part of negation in “ne… pas.” Together: “Don’t worry.”

Example

Ne t’inquiète pas, je ne dis rien.

Don’t worry, I’m not saying anything.

dans la dentelle ce soir.

dahn lah dahn-TEL suh swahr

subtle tonight.

This completes the idiom: the music is loud and in-your-face. 'Ce soir' means tonight.

Example

Il ne fait pas dans la dentelle ce soir.

He isn't being subtle tonight.

Words in this phrase

dans

[dahn]

Indicates inclusion within space or limits.

Example

Dans la maison, c'était calme.

In the house, it was quiet.

[lah]

the (feminine singular)

Definite article used before a feminine singular noun.

Example

La réservation est déjà confirmée pour samedi soir.

The reservation is already confirmed for Saturday evening.

dentelle

[dahn-TEL]

lace

Delicate fabric; in the idiom, means doing things subtly.

Example

Une robe en dentelle.

A lace dress.

[suh]

This

Used to identify something close or just mentioned.

Example

Ce livre est à moi.

This book is mine.

soir

[swahr]

evening

Refers to the evening time, often after work or during an event.

Example

Ce soir, je vous envoie un message de remerciement.

This evening, I am sending you a thank-you message.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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