être porté sur la chose

The exact origin of être porté sur la chose is a bit hazy, as is often the case with colorful idioms. However, the construction être porté sur quelque chose (to be inclined towards something) is quite old in French, dating back to at least the 17th century. The use of la chose as a stand-in for a taboo or sensitive subject, particularly sex, became common in literature and everyday speech to avoid explicit mention. Think of it as a linguistic workaround that became so popular, it turned into a fixed expression. It likely gained traction in periods where direct discussion of sexuality was heavily frowned upon, making indirect language a necessity. It’s like saying someone is ‘into’ something, but with a very specific, suggestive ‘something’ in mind.

You use être porté sur la chose to describe a person's strong interest in sex. It’s usually said about someone else, often with a knowing smile or a chuckle. You wouldn't typically say it about yourself unless you were being very self-deprecating or humorous. The key is that it’s indirect. You’re not stating a fact bluntly; you’re hinting at it. It’s a phrase that relies on shared understanding and context. Imagine you’re gossiping with a friend about a mutual acquaintance – this is the kind of phrase you might deploy. It’s like adding a little spice to your description without being overtly spicy yourself. Just remember, the chose is understood.

• In a novel: "Mon oncle, il faut bien le dire, a toujours été porté sur la chose."
• In casual conversation: "Elle a 70 ans mais elle est toujours très vive, disons qu'elle est portée sur la chose."
• Referring to a character in a film: "Le personnage principal ? Oh, il est clairement porté sur la chose, ça se voit dans toutes ses interactions."
• A slightly more formal but still gossipy tone: "On raconte que le nouveau directeur est assez porté sur la chose, faites attention."
• Describing a historical figure (humorously): "Napoléon, avec toutes ses conquêtes, on peut dire qu'il était porté sur la chose."

Use this phrase when you're talking about someone's high libido in a context that isn't overly formal or serious. It's perfect for lighthearted gossip among friends, discussing fictional characters, or making a slightly risqué observation about someone's personality. It works well when you want to acknowledge someone's sexual energy without being crude or explicit. Think of it as a gentle nudge towards the topic. It’s also great when you want to sound a little sophisticated or old-school French. If you’re watching a French film and a character is clearly very flirtatious or overtly sexual, you might think, "Ah, il est porté sur la chose!"

Definitely avoid être porté sur la chose in any formal setting, like a job interview, a business meeting, or speaking with someone you don't know well. It's also not appropriate for discussing sensitive personal matters or if you want to be direct and unambiguous about someone's sexual behavior. Using it with someone who prefers very direct communication might lead to confusion or seem overly coy. And of course, if you’re talking to children, this phrase is a big no-no! It’s meant for adult conversations where a bit of indirection is appreciated, not for situations demanding clarity or strict professionalism. Imagine telling your boss, "Monsieur Dubois est porté sur la chose" – that would be… awkward.

A common mistake is translating la chose literally and getting confused. Some learners might think it means being 'carried away' by an object or idea, which is a completely different meaning. Another error is using it in overly formal contexts where its informal, suggestive nature is out of place. Also, trying to be *too* direct with the translation often misses the idiomatic charm. It’s not about the literal carrying, but the inclination. Remember, it’s about *being* inclined, not physically *carrying*.

• ✗ être porté sur le travail → ✓ être passionné par le travail (or très dévoué au travail)
• ✗ elle est portée sur la chose de la fête → ✓ elle adore faire la fête (or elle est très festive)
• ✗ il est porté sur la chose dans un contexte professionnel → ✓ il est très ambitieux (or orienté résultats)

French has other ways to talk about this! Avoir une grosse libido is direct. Être un chaud lapin (literally 'a hot rabbit') is a more informal, slightly dated, but still understood term for a man with a high sex drive. Avoir des désirs is more general. Être lubrique is a more negative, formal term. Être coquin can mean mischievous but also a bit naughty or suggestive. Être porté sur la chose sits nicely in the middle – suggestive but not vulgar, informal but not slang.

• What does la chose refer to?

It's a euphemism for sex or sexual desire.

• Is it a vulgar phrase?

No, it's considered polite and indirect, avoiding vulgarity.

• Who is it usually used for?

Often used to describe someone else's strong libido.