Bedeutung
To be realistic, practical, and sensible in one's approach to life.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The French value 'le système D' (resourcefulness) but also 'la rigueur' (rigor). Having your feet on the ground is seen as the foundation for both. In Quebec, the phrase is just as common. However, you might also hear 'être terre-à-terre' used more frequently in casual conversation to describe someone who is simple and unpretentious. In Swiss French, this phrase aligns with the national reputation for being hardworking, punctual, and pragmatic. Similar to France, but often used to contrast with the famous Belgian 'surrealism' in art. One can be a surrealist artist but have the feet on the ground in business.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to tell someone they are reliable and smart, this is the perfect phrase.
Don't use 'être'
Remember: in French, you HAVE feet, you aren't feet. Use 'avoir'.
Bedeutung
To be realistic, practical, and sensible in one's approach to life.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to tell someone they are reliable and smart, this is the perfect phrase.
Don't use 'être'
Remember: in French, you HAVE feet, you aren't feet. Use 'avoir'.
The 'Garder' variation
Use 'garder' (to keep) when talking about someone who stays humble despite success.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'avoir'.
Ma sœur est très réaliste, elle ___ les pieds sur terre.
'Elle' is the third person singular, so the verb 'avoir' becomes 'a'.
Which sentence is the most natural in French?
To say someone is down-to-earth, you say:
We use the verb 'avoir', the preposition 'sur', and no article before 'terre'.
Choose the best response for the dialogue.
Léo: 'Je vais gagner au loto et acheter une île !' Sarah: '___'
Sarah is giving advice to her friend to be more realistic.
Match the person to the description.
Who 'a les pieds sur terre'?
Saving money is a practical, realistic action.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Feet vs. Head
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMa sœur est très réaliste, elle ___ les pieds sur terre.
'Elle' is the third person singular, so the verb 'avoir' becomes 'a'.
To say someone is down-to-earth, you say:
We use the verb 'avoir', the preposition 'sur', and no article before 'terre'.
Léo: 'Je vais gagner au loto et acheter une île !' Sarah: '___'
Sarah is giving advice to her friend to be more realistic.
Who 'a les pieds sur terre'?
Saving money is a practical, realistic action.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! 'J'ai les pieds sur terre' is a common way to describe yourself as a practical person.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, or even in a professional email.
The most common opposite is 'avoir la tête dans les nuages' (to have one's head in the clouds).
No, in this idiom, we say 'sur terre'. Adding 'la' makes it literal.
Usually, yes. It describes a person's character or a group's approach to a problem.
No, that doesn't mean anything in French! It's always 'les pieds'.
Use 'garder les pieds sur terre'.
Almost. 'Terre-à-terre' is an adjective and can sometimes be a bit more negative (boring/unimaginative).
Yes: 'Il avait les pieds sur terre' (He was down-to-earth).
Very! You will hear it in almost any French drama or comedy when characters discuss life choices.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Avoir la tête sur les épaules
synonymTo be sensible and wise.
Être terre-à-terre
similarTo be down-to-earth.
Avoir la tête dans les nuages
contrastTo have one's head in the clouds.
Garder la tête froide
similarTo keep a cool head.
