In 15 Seconds
- Use it for things that are unusually or notably filthy.
- Works in both casual chats and professional maintenance reports.
- Focuses on physical grime, not moral 'dirtiness' or jokes.
Meaning
This phrase describes something that isn't just a little bit messy, but notably or unusually filthy. It's what you say when you encounter a level of grime that actually surprises you.
Key Examples
3 of 6Cleaning the house
Ce coin de la cuisine est spécialement sale.
This corner of the kitchen is especially dirty.
Talking about a pet
Le chien est revenu spécialement sale de sa promenade.
The dog came back especially dirty from his walk.
Reporting a problem at work
Le sol de l'entrepôt est spécialement sale aujourd'hui.
The warehouse floor is especially dirty today.
Cultural Background
In major French cities like Paris or Marseille, cleanliness is a frequent topic of political debate. The phrase 'spécialement sale' is often used in social media posts tagging the mayor to complain about trash collection. French people have very high standards for restaurant hygiene. A 'spécialement sale' kitchen is not just a nuisance; it's seen as a betrayal of the culinary craft. In Quebec, you might hear 'vraiment sale' or 'ben sale' more often in casual speech, but 'spécialement sale' remains perfectly understood and used in formal contexts. Realist and Naturalist writers (like Zola or Balzac) used descriptions of 'sale' environments to reflect the moral or economic state of their characters.
Use it in Reviews
If you want your complaint to be taken seriously in French, 'spécialement sale' is the perfect level of intensity—firm but not vulgar.
Adjective Agreement
Don't forget the 's' for plural! 'Ces rues sont spécialement sales' is a common test question.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it for things that are unusually or notably filthy.
- Works in both casual chats and professional maintenance reports.
- Focuses on physical grime, not moral 'dirtiness' or jokes.
What It Means
When you say something is spécialement sale, you are adding a layer of emphasis. It’s not just sale (dirty); it’s specifically or especially dirty. Think of it as the difference between a few crumbs on a table and a table covered in sticky soda spills and old food. You use this when the dirtiness stands out from the norm. It’s a way to highlight that a standard cleaning won't cut it.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase just like any other adjective-adverb pair. It usually follows the noun it describes. For example, une assiette spécialement sale (an especially dirty plate). You can also use it with the verb être (to be). If you walk into a room and gasp, you might say, C'est spécialement sale ici ! (It's especially dirty in here!). It’s a very flexible tool for your vocabulary kit.
When To Use It
Use this when you are genuinely surprised by the mess. It’s perfect for describing a car after a long muddy road trip. Use it when talking about your dog after he’s jumped in a swamp. It works well in casual conversations with friends or family. You can also use it in a professional setting if you are reporting a maintenance issue. It’s a clear, direct way to communicate that something needs attention.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this to describe a person’s character or a 'dirty' joke. For a person's morals, French uses different terms like malhonnête. For a 'dirty' joke, you would say une blague grivoise. Also, don't use it if something is just a tiny bit dusty. If you use it for a single fingerprint, you might sound a bit dramatic or like a 'clean freak'. Save it for the real grime!
Cultural Background
French culture often places a high value on presentation and 'le propre' (cleanliness). In public spaces like cafes or metros, people might be quick to comment on things being sale. Using spécialement shows you have a discerning eye. It’s a common way to vent frustration about public services or neglected shared spaces. It reflects a certain standard of living that people expect to be maintained.
Common Variations
If you want to sound more formal, you might use particulièrement sale. If you are with close friends and want to be a bit more 'colorful', you could say vraiment dégueulasse. That one is very informal, though! Another common one is extrêmement sale. However, spécialement sale hits that perfect middle ground. It’s descriptive without being overly aggressive or too stiff.
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral and safe for A2 learners. It avoids the harshness of slang while being more descriptive than basic adjectives.
Use it in Reviews
If you want your complaint to be taken seriously in French, 'spécialement sale' is the perfect level of intensity—firm but not vulgar.
Adjective Agreement
Don't forget the 's' for plural! 'Ces rues sont spécialement sales' is a common test question.
The Art of Complaining
In France, noticing that something is 'spécialement sale' is often the start of a long, enjoyable conversation about how things used to be better.
Examples
6Ce coin de la cuisine est spécialement sale.
This corner of the kitchen is especially dirty.
Pointing out a specific area that needs extra scrubbing.
Le chien est revenu spécialement sale de sa promenade.
The dog came back especially dirty from his walk.
A common observation after a rainy day outdoors.
Le sol de l'entrepôt est spécialement sale aujourd'hui.
The warehouse floor is especially dirty today.
A professional way to flag a cleaning requirement.
Désolé, j'ai laissé la salle de bain spécialement sale.
Sorry, I left the bathroom especially dirty.
An honest admission of a mess made in a hurry.
Ta voiture est spécialement sale, tu as roulé dans la boue ?
Your car is especially dirty, did you drive through mud?
A lighthearted jab at a friend's messy vehicle.
Je ne peux pas dormir ici, c'est spécialement sale.
I can't sleep here, it's especially dirty.
Expressing genuine disgust or concern about hygiene.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'spécialement' and 'sale'.
Ces assiettes sont ________ ________.
The adverb 'spécialement' is invariable, and 'sales' must be plural to match 'assiettes'.
Which sentence is the most natural for a hotel review?
How would you say the bathroom was notably filthy?
This is the standard, grammatically correct way to express this in a neutral/formal register.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'C'est spécialement sale ici'?
A festival usually leaves an unusual amount of trash, making the park 'spécialement sale'.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Pourquoi tu ne manges pas dans ce café ? B: Parce que ________________.
Plural agreement is required for 'tables'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Levels of Dirtiness in French
Practice Bank
4 exercisesCes assiettes sont ________ ________.
The adverb 'spécialement' is invariable, and 'sales' must be plural to match 'assiettes'.
How would you say the bathroom was notably filthy?
This is the standard, grammatically correct way to express this in a neutral/formal register.
Where would you most likely hear 'C'est spécialement sale ici'?
A festival usually leaves an unusual amount of trash, making the park 'spécialement sale'.
A: Pourquoi tu ne manges pas dans ce café ? B: Parce que ________________.
Plural agreement is required for 'tables'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but 'spécialement sale' implies that the dirtiness is unusual or noteworthy, whereas 'très sale' is just a general high level of dirt.
No, you can say 'spécialement beau' (specially beautiful), but it is very frequently used with 'sale' in everyday complaints.
No, 'sale' is the same for both masculine and feminine singular. It only changes for plural.
It is neutral. It's not rude, but it is a direct criticism. Use it when you need to be honest about a lack of cleanliness.
It's a nasal 'an' sound. Your tongue shouldn't touch the roof of your mouth at the end.
Related Phrases
particulièrement sale
synonymParticularly dirty
propre comme un sou neuf
contrastClean as a new penny
malpropre
similarUnclean / Dirty (person)
dégueulasse
specialized formDisgusting / Gross
