In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe people walking in a single file line.
- Comes from an old word for 'wolf' (leu).
- Commonly used for groups, kids, or even conga lines.
Meaning
This phrase describes people or things following one another in a single file line. It is exactly what you say when everyone is walking one behind the other, like a row of ducklings.
Key Examples
3 of 6Describing a group of tourists
Les touristes marchent à la queue leu leu derrière le guide.
The tourists are walking in single file behind the guide.
Organizing friends on a narrow path
Le sentier est étroit, marchons à la queue leu leu !
The path is narrow, let's walk in single file!
A teacher talking to students
Allez les enfants, on se met à la queue leu leu pour aller à la cantine.
Come on children, let's get in single file to go to the cafeteria.
Cultural Background
The phrase is the universal command for order in French primary schools. It evokes a sense of discipline and childhood nostalgia for almost every French person. The 'Chenille' dance is a cultural phenomenon. It's a human chain dance where the phrase is the main lyric. It's considered 'beauf' (tacky) by some but is loved at popular celebrations. While the French are often stereotyped as bad at queuing, the existence of such a specific and widely used phrase for 'single file' shows that order is highly valued in specific contexts like schools and transport. The preservation of 'leu' shows how French people cherish their linguistic heritage, keeping medieval words alive through idioms even when the words themselves have disappeared from the rest of the language.
Use with children
This is the perfect phrase to use if you are babysitting or teaching French children. They will understand you instantly!
Spelling trap
Remember it's 'leu', not 'le'. 'Le' is the article, 'leu' is the wolf!
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe people walking in a single file line.
- Comes from an old word for 'wolf' (leu).
- Commonly used for groups, kids, or even conga lines.
What It Means
Imagine a group of children walking to the cafeteria. They are all lined up in a neat row. That is exactly what à la queue leu leu means. It describes a single file line. The word leu is actually an old French word for wolf. So, you are literally saying everyone is following the tail of the wolf in front of them. It is a very visual and rhythmic expression.
How To Use It
You use it as an adverbial phrase. You do not need to conjugate anything. Just add it after a verb of movement like marcher (to walk) or se suivre (to follow each other). For example, you can say: "We walked à la queue leu leu to the museum." It sounds playful and organized at the same time. It is perfect for describing a group dynamic.
When To Use It
Use it whenever you see people forming a line. It is very common when talking about tourists following a guide. You can use it with friends when hiking a narrow trail. It is also great for describing cars stuck in a slow line on a country road. It adds a bit of charm to a mundane observation. If you are organizing a group of people, this is your go-to phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a formal waiting line at a bank. In that case, just use faire la queue. This phrase implies movement or a specific formation. It is a bit too whimsical for a serious business meeting about strategy. Also, do not use it if people are standing side-by-side. It specifically requires that one-after-the-other alignment. If the line is messy, this phrase does not fit.
Cultural Background
This expression dates back to the Middle Ages. Back then, leu was the common word for loup (wolf). Wolves were known to travel in packs, often stepping in each other's tracks. This helped them save energy in the snow. The French language kept this ancient word alive only within this specific phrase. It is a linguistic fossil that every French person knows. It evokes a sense of childhood and old-school discipline.
Common Variations
You might hear people just say en file indienne. That means "Indian file" and is a direct synonym. However, à la queue leu leu is much more traditional and fun to say. Some people might shorten it to just à la queue, but you lose the rhythmic charm. There is even a famous 1980s party song by Bézu called "La Queuleuleu." It is played at weddings when people start a conga line!
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral to informal. It is highly visual and slightly playful due to its rhythmic nature and historical reference to wolves.
Use with children
This is the perfect phrase to use if you are babysitting or teaching French children. They will understand you instantly!
Spelling trap
Remember it's 'leu', not 'le'. 'Le' is the article, 'leu' is the wolf!
The 'Chenille' connection
Mentioning the 'Chenille' dance when using this phrase will make you sound very culturally aware.
Wolf imagery
French has many wolf-based idioms (e.g., 'un froid de loup'). This is one of the oldest.
Examples
6Les touristes marchent à la queue leu leu derrière le guide.
The tourists are walking in single file behind the guide.
A classic observation of a group following a leader.
Le sentier est étroit, marchons à la queue leu leu !
The path is narrow, let's walk in single file!
Practical instruction for a group activity.
Allez les enfants, on se met à la queue leu leu pour aller à la cantine.
Come on children, let's get in single file to go to the cafeteria.
Very common in school settings.
Il y avait tellement de monde qu'on avançait à la queue leu leu.
There were so many people that we were moving in single file.
Describes a crowded but moving situation.
Dès que la musique a commencé, ils se sont mis à la queue leu leu !
As soon as the music started, they started a conga line!
Refers to the famous party dance.
Les voitures se suivent à la queue leu leu sur la petite route.
The cars are following each other in a long line on the small road.
Used for objects moving in a sequence.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
Les enfants marchent à la ______ leu leu.
The phrase is 'à la queue leu leu'.
Which verb is most commonly used with this phrase?
On ______ à la queue leu leu.
The phrase describes a way of walking or moving.
Match the situation with the correct expression.
Situations: 1. Waiting for bread, 2. Walking on a narrow path
Waiting is 'faire la queue', walking in a line is 'à la queue leu leu'.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
Le guide : 'Le passage est étroit. ______ !'
When a passage is narrow, you must walk in a single file line.
In which context would you NOT use 'à la queue leu leu'?
Contexts: A. School kids, B. Traffic jam, C. A formal business meeting, D. A wedding dance
It is too informal for a formal business meeting.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs. Informal Lines
Practice Bank
5 exercisesLes enfants marchent à la ______ leu leu.
The phrase is 'à la queue leu leu'.
On ______ à la queue leu leu.
The phrase describes a way of walking or moving.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Waiting is 'faire la queue', walking in a line is 'à la queue leu leu'.
Le guide : 'Le passage est étroit. ______ !'
When a passage is narrow, you must walk in a single file line.
Contexts: A. School kids, B. Traffic jam, C. A formal business meeting, D. A wedding dance
It is too informal for a formal business meeting.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'leu' is archaic. It only survives in this idiom and some surnames.
Yes, you can use it for cars, ducks, or even emails in an inbox.
It has a slightly childish or pedagogical tone, but adults use it frequently in casual conversation.
'En file indienne' is more formal and literal. 'À la queue leu leu' is more idiomatic and common in speech.
No, the phrase is fixed. It is always 'à la queue leu leu'.
No, that would be incorrect and sound very strange to a native speaker.
Not at all. It's a very innocent and common expression.
Usually after a verb of movement: 'Nous marchons à la queue leu leu'.
No. 'Faire la queue' is the verb for waiting. 'À la queue leu leu' describes the physical line.
The repetition adds rhythm and emphasizes the idea of one following another.
Related Phrases
faire la queue
similarto wait in line
en file indienne
synonymin a single file line
en rang d'oignons
similarlined up in a row
suivre le mouvement
builds onto go with the flow
griller la queue
contrastto cut in line
