C1 Expression غیر رسمی

à la sauvette

stealthily, on the sly

معنی

Quickly and secretly, to avoid being seen or noticed.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In major cities like Paris, 'la vente à la sauvette' is a major political issue, often involving migrants selling water, souvenirs, or roasted chestnuts. It represents the 'informal economy' of the city. Despite the stereotype of long lunches, many modern French workers now eat 'à la sauvette' at their desks, a trend that is often lamented in the media as the 'death of the lunch break'. The phrase evokes the 'Paris populaire' of the 19th century, the world of Victor Hugo and Zola, where the street was a place of constant survival and evasion. In legal terms, 'à la sauvette' is used to define specific infractions related to the occupation of public space without authorization.

💡

Use for Food

It's the most natural way to describe a 'sad desk lunch' or a quick snack in the street.

⚠️

Avoid in Formal Reports

Unless you are writing about illegal trade, it sounds a bit too casual for a professional report.

معنی

Quickly and secretly, to avoid being seen or noticed.

💡

Use for Food

It's the most natural way to describe a 'sad desk lunch' or a quick snack in the street.

⚠️

Avoid in Formal Reports

Unless you are writing about illegal trade, it sounds a bit too casual for a professional report.

🎯

The 'Stealth' Nuance

Remember: if there's no element of 'hiding' or 'informality,' just use 'rapidement'.

💬

The Police Connection

Using this phrase in Paris will immediately make you sound like a local who understands the city's street dynamics.

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.

Comme je n'avais que dix minutes, j'ai mangé mon sandwich ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: à la sauvette

The phrase is a fixed locution: 'à la sauvette'.

Which situation best describes an action 'à la sauvette'?

Quelle situation correspond à 'à la sauvette' ?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Un vendeur qui ramasse ses affaires quand il voit la police.

This is the literal and most accurate origin of the phrase.

Complete the dialogue naturally.

— Tu as pu parler au patron ? — Oui, mais juste ________ dans le couloir, il était très pressé.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: à la sauvette

While 'à la hâte' is possible, 'à la sauvette' emphasizes the informal, 'on-the-run' nature of the hallway meeting.

Match the action to the reason it's 'à la sauvette'.

Pourquoi dit-on 'à la sauvette' dans ces cas ?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Toutes ces réponses.

The phrase covers illegality, lack of time, and lack of formality.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Speed vs. Secrecy

Just Fast
vite fast
rapidement quickly
À la sauvette
rushed
secretive
informal
Just Secret
en cachette in hiding
discrètement discreetly

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase. جای خالی B1

Comme je n'avais que dix minutes, j'ai mangé mon sandwich ________.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: à la sauvette

The phrase is a fixed locution: 'à la sauvette'.

Which situation best describes an action 'à la sauvette'? Choose A2

Quelle situation correspond à 'à la sauvette' ?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Un vendeur qui ramasse ses affaires quand il voit la police.

This is the literal and most accurate origin of the phrase.

Complete the dialogue naturally. dialogue_completion B2

— Tu as pu parler au patron ? — Oui, mais juste ________ dans le couloir, il était très pressé.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: à la sauvette

While 'à la hâte' is possible, 'à la sauvette' emphasizes the informal, 'on-the-run' nature of the hallway meeting.

Match the action to the reason it's 'à la sauvette'. situation_matching C1

Pourquoi dit-on 'à la sauvette' dans ces cas ?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Toutes ces réponses.

The phrase covers illegality, lack of time, and lack of formality.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

14 سوال

Not necessarily. While it can imply illegality, it's often used neutrally to describe being in a rush.

Yes, it's very common to use it to describe a quick, informal meal.

'En douce' is more about being sneaky/deceptive, while 'à la sauvette' is more about being hurried/informal.

No, it's informal/neutral. It's used in newspapers and everyday conversation.

Yes! 'On s'est téléphoné à la sauvette' works perfectly.

No, it is always 'à la sauvette', regardless of who is doing the action.

'Sauvette' comes from 'se sauver' (to escape), while 'sauvage' means wild. They are unrelated.

In France, yes, it is an infraction to sell goods in public without a permit.

No, that would be 'en excès de vitesse' or 'à toute allure'.

Yes, though they might also use 'à la va-vite'.

Only if you do it quickly and secretly, like knitting under your desk at work.

Something done 'dans les règles de l'art' (by the book) or 'posément' (calmly).

Yes, the double 'tt' makes the 'e' before it an 'è' sound and the 't' is clearly heard.

Yes, though 'en coup de vent' is slightly more common for visits.

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

En catimini

synonym

In secret

🔗

En douce

similar

On the quiet

🔗

À la hâte

similar

In a hurry

🔗

Sur le pouce

specialized form

On the go (for food)

🔗

En coup de vent

similar

Very briefly

🔄

À la dérobée

synonym

Stealthily

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