Meaning
To be able to laugh easily.
Cultural Background
In Paris, the 'sens de l'humour' is often synonymous with 'ironie' and 'répartie' (quick wit). It can sometimes feel aggressive to outsiders, but it's meant as a sign of intelligence and closeness. Quebec has a massive 'culture de l'humour'. Having a sense of humor is almost a civic duty. The 'Gala des Oliviers' celebrates humorists, who are the biggest stars in the province. Belgian humor often involves 'l'autodérision' (self-deprecation) and the 'surréalisme'. Having a sense of humor in Belgium means not taking oneself seriously at all. In many West African cultures, humor is used through 'la parenté à plaisanterie' (joking kinship), where certain clans are socially required to mock each other to maintain peace.
The 'S' Rule
Always pronounce the final 's' in 'sens' when saying 'le sens de l'humour'. If you don't, it might sound like 'sang' (blood).
Humour vs Humeur
Don't say 'sens de l'humeur'. 'Humeur' is mood. You want 'humour' with an 'ou' sound.
Meaning
To be able to laugh easily.
The 'S' Rule
Always pronounce the final 's' in 'sens' when saying 'le sens de l'humour'. If you don't, it might sound like 'sang' (blood).
Humour vs Humeur
Don't say 'sens de l'humeur'. 'Humeur' is mood. You want 'humour' with an 'ou' sound.
Self-Deprecation
In France, showing you have a sense of humor often means making fun of yourself before others do.
Adjective Placement
If you add an adjective, it usually goes after 'humour' (e.g., un sens de l'humour noir) or before 'sens' (e.g., un grand sens de l'humour).
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the expression.
Mon frère est très sérieux, il n'___ pas le ___ de l'humour.
We use the verb 'avoir' and the word 'sens' for this expression.
Which sentence is the most natural for a job interview?
Comment dire que vous appréciez les blagues au travail ?
'Posséder' is more formal than 'avoir', and 'humeur' means mood, not humor.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Someone makes a light joke about your messy desk.
This shows you are a good sport and can laugh at yourself.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Pourquoi tu ne ris pas ? B: Désolé, je ___.
The negative form 'n'ai pas le sens de l'humour' fits the context of not laughing.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Humour vs. Humeur
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMon frère est très sérieux, il n'___ pas le ___ de l'humour.
We use the verb 'avoir' and the word 'sens' for this expression.
Comment dire que vous appréciez les blagues au travail ?
'Posséder' is more formal than 'avoir', and 'humeur' means mood, not humor.
Situation: Someone makes a light joke about your messy desk.
This shows you are a good sport and can laugh at yourself.
A: Pourquoi tu ne ris pas ? B: Désolé, je ___.
The negative form 'n'ai pas le sens de l'humour' fits the context of not laughing.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Avoir de l'humour' is more common and can mean you are funny. 'Avoir le sens de l'humour' specifically emphasizes your ability to appreciate humor.
No, you must use the verb 'avoir'. It's a possession of a trait.
It is masculine: 'le' humour (l'humour).
You say 'Il n'a aucun sens de l'humour' or 'Il n'a pas le sens de l'humour'.
Yes, it's a very positive trait to mention in a workplace context to show you are easy to work with.
In this context, yes. It refers to a faculty of perception, like the five senses.
In French, 'h' is almost always silent. 'L'humour' is treated as starting with a vowel.
Yes, you can say 'Ce film a un sens de l'humour très particulier'.
It is 'black humor' or 'dark humor', involving jokes about serious or morbid subjects.
Both are used, but 'le' is more common for the general trait, while 'un' is used when adding an adjective (e.g., 'un bon sens de l'humour').
Related Phrases
Avoir de l'humour
similarTo be funny or appreciate humor.
Manquer d'humour
contrastTo lack a sense of humor.
Le second degré
builds onIrony / not taking things literally.
L'autodérision
specialized formSelf-deprecating humor.
Pince-sans-rire
specialized formDeadpan humor.
