Significado
To feel very discouraged or depressed.
Contexto cultural
In France, expressing that you have 'le moral à zéro' is often the start of a long conversation over coffee. It's not seen as 'complaining' but as being 'sincere'. While 'le moral à zéro' is used, Quebecers might also say 'avoir les bleus' or 'être en petite forme'. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, people might use more rhythmic or metaphorical expressions, but 'le moral à zéro' is standard in formal education and media. Belgians use this phrase frequently, especially regarding the weather or the national football team (the Red Devils).
Use it to vent
Don't be afraid to use this phrase when you're having a bad day. It's a very 'French' way to start a conversation about your feelings.
Gender matters!
Always say 'LE moral'. If you say 'LA morale', people will think you're talking about a philosophy lesson.
Significado
To feel very discouraged or depressed.
Use it to vent
Don't be afraid to use this phrase when you're having a bad day. It's a very 'French' way to start a conversation about your feelings.
Gender matters!
Always say 'LE moral'. If you say 'LA morale', people will think you're talking about a philosophy lesson.
Pair it with 'remonter'
If you see a friend looking sad, ask: 'Je peux te remonter le moral ?' It shows great empathy and language skill.
The weather factor
French people LOVE to blame the weather for their 'moral à zéro'. It's a safe, non-personal way to use the phrase.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb and the idiom.
Depuis qu'il a perdu son match, il _______ le _______ à zéro.
The subject 'il' requires the verb 'a' (avoir) and the masculine noun 'moral'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'I'm feeling down'?
Option A uses the wrong gender (la morale), and Option B uses the wrong verb (être).
Match the situation to the feeling.
Situations: 1. Gagner au loto, 2. Rater un train, 3. Une rupture amoureuse
Winning the lottery makes your morale high; missing a train is a minor disappointment; a breakup puts your morale at zero.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Tu as l'air triste. Qu'est-ce qui se passe ? B: ____________________.
This is the most natural and grammatically correct response.
In which context is 'avoir le moral à zéro' MOST appropriate?
Contexts:
It's a neutral-to-informal idiom perfect for sharing feelings with friends.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Le vs La Moral(e)
When to use it
Personal
- • Breakups
- • Bad weather
- • Health
Professional
- • Failed projects
- • Layoffs
- • Stress
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosDepuis qu'il a perdu son match, il _______ le _______ à zéro.
The subject 'il' requires the verb 'a' (avoir) and the masculine noun 'moral'.
How do you say 'I'm feeling down'?
Option A uses the wrong gender (la morale), and Option B uses the wrong verb (être).
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
Winning the lottery makes your morale high; missing a train is a minor disappointment; a breakup puts your morale at zero.
A: Tu as l'air triste. Qu'est-ce qui se passe ? B: ____________________.
This is the most natural and grammatically correct response.
Contexts:
It's a neutral-to-informal idiom perfect for sharing feelings with friends.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasIt's neutral enough if you have a good relationship with your boss, but 'Je me sens un peu découragé' is safer in a formal meeting.
Yes, it is grammatically correct and means the same thing, but 'J'ai le moral à zéro' is the more common idiom.
The most common opposite is 'avoir le moral au beau fixe' or simply 'avoir un bon moral'.
Not necessarily. It usually refers to a temporary state of discouragement rather than clinical depression.
Yes! 'L'équipe a le moral à zéro' is very common in sports and business.
It represents the bottom of a scale, like a battery or a thermometer being empty or frozen.
'Avoir le cafard' is more about a general, lingering gloom, while 'moral à zéro' is often a reaction to a specific event.
It sounds like 'mo-RAL'. Make sure to hit that 'L' at the end clearly.
No, that's not an idiom. You would just say 'J'ai un excellent moral'.
Yes, it's perfectly understood and used in Quebec, though they have other local variations too.
Absolutely! It's very common in texting. You can even just send 'Moral à zéro... 😞'.
Use 'remonter'. Example: 'Le chocolat me remonte le moral'.
Frases relacionadas
avoir le cafard
synonymTo feel gloomy/sad.
être au bout du rouleau
similarTo be at the end of one's rope.
remonter le moral
builds onTo cheer someone up.
avoir le moral au beau fixe
contrastTo be in a great mood.
garder le moral
similarTo keep one's spirits up.
