In 15 Sekunden
- Used to describe someone who is extremely wealthy or 'loaded'.
- Derived from poker, where having four aces guarantees a win.
- Best used in casual conversations or when gossiping about fortunes.
Bedeutung
Contrary to some misconceptions, this phrase actually means to be incredibly wealthy or 'stinking rich.' It describes someone who has so much money they don't know what to do with it.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Gossiping about a celebrity
Regarde sa nouvelle villa, il est vraiment plein aux as !
Look at his new villa, he is really stinking rich!
Discussing a successful business owner
Depuis qu'il a vendu sa boîte, il est plein aux as.
Since he sold his company, he's been made of money.
Texting a friend about a lottery winner
Ton cousin a gagné au loto ? Il est plein aux as maintenant !
Your cousin won the lottery? He's loaded now!
Kultureller Hintergrund
In France, displaying wealth is often seen as 'bling-bling' (a term popularized during the Sarkozy era). 'Plein aux as' is a way to acknowledge wealth without necessarily praising it. While understood, Quebecers might also use 'être plein de cash' or 'être pété de riche.' The poker origin remains universally recognized. In wealthy Swiss circles, this phrase might be used with a bit more irony, as being 'well-off' is the norm in certain cantons. Similar to France, but Belgians might use 'avoir des briques dans le ventre' to mean someone who invests heavily in real estate, which is a different kind of being 'plein.'
Pronunciation is Key
Make sure to pronounce the 's' in 'as'. If you don't, people might not understand you or think you're saying 'ah'.
Watch the Register
Don't use this with your French grandmother unless she's very cool. It's definitely 'street' French.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to describe someone who is extremely wealthy or 'loaded'.
- Derived from poker, where having four aces guarantees a win.
- Best used in casual conversations or when gossiping about fortunes.
What It Means
Imagine someone sitting at a poker table with four aces in their hand. They are unstoppable. In French, être plein aux as means you are loaded with cash. You aren't just doing well. You are wealthy beyond measure. It suggests a life of luxury and zero financial worries. It is the French equivalent of saying someone is 'made of money.'
How To Use It
You use it just like the verb être. You can say il est plein aux as or ils sont pleins aux as. It is a descriptive idiom. It usually refers to someone else's fortune. You rarely use it to describe yourself unless you are being ironic. It sounds a bit boastful otherwise. Just swap 'rich' for this phrase to add some flavor.
When To Use It
Use this when gossiping about a celebrity's new mansion. It is perfect for talking about that one friend who just won the lottery. You can use it at a cafe while people-watching. It works well when discussing business tycoons or tech giants. It adds a colorful, visual punch to your conversation. Your friends will appreciate the native-level flair.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in a serious bank loan application. Do not use it in a formal eulogy or a somber business report. It is too colorful for highly academic writing. If someone is sensitive about their wealth, skip it. It can sound a bit envious if used with the wrong tone. Never use it to describe someone who is just 'comfortable.' This is for the top 1% only.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the world of gambling and poker. The 'as' (ace) is the highest card in the deck. In the early 20th century, having a pocket full of aces meant you were guaranteed to win the pot. Over time, the 'aces' stopped representing cards and started representing the coins you won with them. It is a testament to how much the French love a good card game metaphor.
Common Variations
You might hear être blindé which means to be 'armored' with money. Another common one is être riche comme Crésus. If you want to be more vulgar, some say être pété de thunes. However, plein aux as remains the classic, stylish way to describe a fortune. It sits perfectly between slang and standard French.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a classic informal idiom. It is safe for social gatherings and casual talk but should be avoided in formal writing. Remember that the 's' in 'as' is always audible.
Pronunciation is Key
Make sure to pronounce the 's' in 'as'. If you don't, people might not understand you or think you're saying 'ah'.
Watch the Register
Don't use this with your French grandmother unless she's very cool. It's definitely 'street' French.
The Adverb Rule
Impress your French friends by keeping 'plein' invariable even for women. It shows you know the high-level grammar!
Beispiele
6Regarde sa nouvelle villa, il est vraiment plein aux as !
Look at his new villa, he is really stinking rich!
A classic use to describe someone with visible luxury.
Depuis qu'il a vendu sa boîte, il est plein aux as.
Since he sold his company, he's been made of money.
Refers to a sudden change in financial status.
Ton cousin a gagné au loto ? Il est plein aux as maintenant !
Your cousin won the lottery? He's loaded now!
Short, punchy, and perfect for a quick text message.
On ne va pas commander le homard, on n'est pas pleins aux as !
We aren't ordering the lobster, we aren't made of money!
Using the negative to joke about one's own budget.
Pour habiter ici, il faut être plein aux as.
To live here, you have to be rolling in it.
Expresses the high cost of living in a specific area.
Elle a hérité d'un château ? Elle est plein aux as !
She inherited a castle? She's filthy rich!
Shows genuine surprise at someone's wealth.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
Depuis qu'il a gagné au casino, il est ________ aux as.
The fixed idiom is 'être plein aux as.'
Which register is most appropriate for 'être plein aux as'?
Can I use this phrase in a formal letter to a bank manager?
The phrase is 'familier' (informal) and not suitable for professional correspondence.
Choose the best response.
A: 'Tu as vu sa nouvelle Ferrari ?' B: '_________________'
This is the correct form and context for the idiom.
Match the person to the description.
Who would you most likely describe as 'plein aux as'?
The phrase is reserved for extreme wealth.
Match the French idiom to its English equivalent.
1. Être plein aux as | 2. Être fauché | 3. Rouler sur l'or
These are the standard idiomatic equivalents.
Fill in the missing preposition.
Elle est plein ____ as.
The idiom uses 'aux' (à + les).
🎉 Ergebnis: /6
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Registers of Wealth
Aufgabensammlung
6 AufgabenDepuis qu'il a gagné au casino, il est ________ aux as.
The fixed idiom is 'être plein aux as.'
Can I use this phrase in a formal letter to a bank manager?
The phrase is 'familier' (informal) and not suitable for professional correspondence.
A: 'Tu as vu sa nouvelle Ferrari ?' B: '_________________'
This is the correct form and context for the idiom.
Who would you most likely describe as 'plein aux as'?
The phrase is reserved for extreme wealth.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the standard idiomatic equivalents.
Elle est plein ____ as.
The idiom uses 'aux' (à + les).
🎉 Ergebnis: /6
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's plural here ('aux as'), referring to multiple aces in a hand.
Yes, many natives do, but 'plein aux as' is the traditional adverbial form.
It's not 'rude' like a swear word, but it's very blunt about money, which can be seen as slightly vulgar in formal French society.
'Riche' is neutral. 'Plein aux as' is like saying 'stinking rich'—it's much more emphatic.
No, that's a common pronunciation mistake for learners!
Usually, it's used for people, but you can use it for a company in a very casual way (e.g., 'Apple est plein aux as').
Yes, 'être fortuné' or 'être très aisé'.
Yes, it's widely understood across the Francophonie.
Absolutely. 'Il était plein aux as avant la crise.'
Verwandte Redewendungen
être blindé
synonymTo be loaded/stinking rich.
rouler sur l'or
similarTo be rolling in gold/money.
être fauché
contrastTo be broke.
avoir le sens des affaires
builds onTo have a business sense.
