The weather in France can get quite cold, especially in the winter months. As an international traveler or someone interacting with French speakers, you’ll need to know how to express that you are feeling chilled. Complaints about the cold are a common conversational topic for French people. Being able to articulate your discomfort will help you connect better. Here are some common French phrases for saying “I’m cold”:
Basic Phrases
- J’ai froid – This simple phrase means “I’m cold.” You can use it in any situation.
- Je gèle – Say “I’m freezing” if you’re very cold.
- J’ai les mains froides – “My hands are cold” specifies that your hands are chilled.
- J’ai froid aux pieds – Say “my feet are cold” if your toes are numb.
- Il fait froid ici – Comment “it’s cold here” to say the room itself is chilly.
- Ça caille – Use this slang term to imply “it’s freezing.”
Idioms About Being Cold
- J’ai la chair de poule – Literally “I have goosebumps,” this means you’re so cold your skin has broken out in bumps.
- Je claque des dents – “My teeth are chattering” evokes the image of your teeth shaking uncontrollably.
- Je tremble de froid – “I’m shivering from cold” conveys you’re shaking all over.
- J’ai le bout du nez gelé – “The tip of my nose is frozen” focuses on your numb nose.
- J’ai les mains engourdies – “My hands are numb” expresses losing sensation in your hands.
- Je ne sens plus mes doigts – “I can’t feel my fingers anymore” takes numbness further.
- Je me les pèle – This informal phrase meaning “my hands are freezing” is often said while rubbing your hands together.
Exaggerated Expressions
- Il fait un froid de loup – Say “it’s wolf-cold” to exaggerate that it’s bitterly cold.
- Il fait un froid à ne pas mettre un chien dehors – “It’s too cold to put a dog outside” humorously implies it’s dangerously freezing.
- Je suis gelé(e) jusqu’aux os – “I’m frozen to the bone” vividly describes the cold permeating your body.
- Il fait un froid polaire – Compare the cold to polar climates by saying “it’s polar cold.”
- Il fait un froid sibérien – “It’s Siberian cold” compares it to the icy region of Siberia.
- Il fait un froid de canard – “It’s duck-cold” is another humorous animal comparison.
- Je suis transi(e) de froid – Say you’re “chilled to the bone” to imply the cold has thoroughly permeated your body.
- Je suis frigorifié(e) – “I’m frozen stiff” conveys you cannot move because you’re so cold.
- Je suis congelé(e) – “I’m frozen” is a simpler way to express being extremely cold.
- Je meurs de froid – Dramatically say “I’m dying of cold” to intensify your discomfort.
- Il fait frisquet – If it’s just a little chilly, say “it’s brisk.”
What to Do Next
After saying you’re cold, you can ask “Peux-tu fermer la fenêtre?” (Can you close the window?) or request “Passe-moi une couverture” (Pass me a blanket). Carrying a sweater and drinking something warm can also help when you feel chilled. Knowing the right French phrases will make you prepared for colder weather!
In Summary
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced French speaker, knowing some creative ways to express that you’re cold can help you communicate more naturally in French. Just be sure to dress warmly to avoid having to use these phrases too often!
