Bedeutung
To make a lot of noise that is bothersome or irritating to others.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Paris, 'casser les oreilles' is often used during 'fête de la musique' (June 21st) when bands play on every corner. While festive, many residents use this idiom to describe the overwhelming noise. In Quebec, you might also hear 'Casser les oreilles' but it is sometimes replaced by 'Taper sur les nerfs', which is slightly more common for general annoyance. Using this phrase to a stranger (like someone on a phone in a train) is considered a 'confrontation'. It is a way of saying 'You are being disrespectful'. The idiom appears in various forms in 19th-century literature (Zola, Balzac) to describe the industrial noise of the changing French landscape.
The 'Me' Rule
Always remember the 'me' (or 'te', 'lui'). Without it, the sentence feels incomplete in French.
Don't use with your boss
Even if your boss is shouting, this phrase is too informal. Use 'C'est un peu fort' instead.
Bedeutung
To make a lot of noise that is bothersome or irritating to others.
The 'Me' Rule
Always remember the 'me' (or 'te', 'lui'). Without it, the sentence feels incomplete in French.
Don't use with your boss
Even if your boss is shouting, this phrase is too informal. Use 'C'est un peu fort' instead.
Add 'Vraiment'
To sound more native, add 'vraiment' or 'sérieusement': 'Tu me casses vraiment les oreilles !'
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct pronoun and verb form.
Arrête de crier ! Tu ___ ________ les oreilles !
We need the indirect object 'me' and the 'tu' form of the verb 'casser' (casses).
Which sentence is the most natural way to complain about a loud radio?
La radio est trop forte...
French uses the reflexive-style structure 'me... les' for body parts.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
Speaker A: 'Je peux te raconter encore une fois mon voyage en détail ?' Speaker B: 'Non merci, ...'
While all are possible, 'oreilles' specifically targets the repetitive talking.
Match the situation to the phrase.
A neighbor is using a drill at 11 PM.
Drilling is a noise-based annoyance, so 'oreilles' is the most specific choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenArrête de crier ! Tu ___ ________ les oreilles !
We need the indirect object 'me' and the 'tu' form of the verb 'casser' (casses).
La radio est trop forte...
French uses the reflexive-style structure 'me... les' for body parts.
Speaker A: 'Je peux te raconter encore une fois mon voyage en détail ?' Speaker B: 'Non merci, ...'
While all are possible, 'oreilles' specifically targets the repetitive talking.
A neighbor is using a drill at 11 PM.
Drilling is a noise-based annoyance, so 'oreilles' is the most specific choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is informal and blunt. Between friends, it's fine. To a stranger, it's a clear sign of irritation and could be seen as aggressive.
No, that sounds like a literal translation from English. Always use 'Tu me casses les oreilles'.
'Oreilles' is specifically for noise or talking. 'Pieds' is for any annoying situation (like a long queue or a difficult task).
Usually no. It implies the noise is 'bad' or 'unwanted'. If you like the sound, don't use 'casser'.
Yes, you can say 'C'est un peu bruyant' (It's a bit noisy) or 'Le son est trop fort' (The sound is too loud).
Yes: 'Il m'a cassé les oreilles toute la soirée.'
No, objects can do it too: 'Cette alarme me casse les oreilles.'
Yes, it is universally understood in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and Francophone Africa.
No, that would be 'casser les pieds'. 'Oreilles' is strictly for auditory or verbal annoyance.
Usually 'Désolé !' or an annoyed 'Ça va, j'ai compris !' (Okay, I get it!).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Casser les pieds
similarTo annoy someone (general).
Casser la tête
similarTo give someone a headache / to be a hassle.
Écorcher les oreilles
specialized formTo grate on the ears (usually due to bad singing or grammar).
Bassiner quelqu'un
synonymTo bore someone with repetitive talk.
