Significado
One should think carefully before speaking to avoid saying something regrettable.
Contexto cultural
In France, 'la joute verbale' (verbal sparring) is a national sport. This proverb acts as the 'rules of the game,' ensuring that wit doesn't cross into pure insult. While the proverb is used, Quebecers might also use 'Tourne-toi les pouces' (twiddle your thumbs) to mean wait, but for speech, the 'sept fois' remains the gold standard. In many West African cultures, the 'parole' (word) is sacred. This proverb aligns perfectly with local values where the 'Griot' (storyteller) knows the weight of every syllable. Belgian French uses the proverb identically to France, often in the context of the country's complex linguistic and political negotiations.
Use it to deflect
If someone asks you a difficult question, say 'Attends, je tourne sept fois ma langue dans ma bouche...' to buy yourself actual thinking time.
Don't be too literal
Don't actually start moving your tongue visibly; it's a metaphor for mental pause!
Significado
One should think carefully before speaking to avoid saying something regrettable.
Use it to deflect
If someone asks you a difficult question, say 'Attends, je tourne sept fois ma langue dans ma bouche...' to buy yourself actual thinking time.
Don't be too literal
Don't actually start moving your tongue visibly; it's a metaphor for mental pause!
The power of 7
In France, the number 7 is often linked to wisdom. Mentioning it shows you understand French cultural numerology.
Teste-se
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
Il faut tourner sept fois sa _______ dans sa _______ avant de parler.
The tongue (langue) is turned inside the mouth (bouche).
In which situation is this proverb most appropriate?
You are very angry at a colleague and want to send a mean email.
This proverb is specifically about exercising restraint when you are about to say (or write) something regrettable.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
Speaker A: 'Je vais lui dire ses quatre vérités, ça va chauffer !' Speaker B: 'Fais attention, tu devrais...'
Speaker B is advising Speaker A to calm down and think before acting impulsively.
Which of these is a correct variation of the proverb?
Select the grammatically correct and idiomatic sentence.
This correctly adapts the possessive adjectives (ma/ma) to the subject (J').
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosIl faut tourner sept fois sa _______ dans sa _______ avant de parler.
The tongue (langue) is turned inside the mouth (bouche).
You are very angry at a colleague and want to send a mean email.
This proverb is specifically about exercising restraint when you are about to say (or write) something regrettable.
Speaker A: 'Je vais lui dire ses quatre vérités, ça va chauffer !' Speaker B: 'Fais attention, tu devrais...'
Speaker B is advising Speaker A to calm down and think before acting impulsively.
Select the grammatically correct and idiomatic sentence.
This correctly adapts the possessive adjectives (ma/ma) to the subject (J').
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, the proverb is fixed at seven. Changing the number makes it no longer a proverb.
Yes, but often ironically or when being advised by parents/teachers.
Technically no, but it is very frequently applied metaphorically to emails and social media posts.
There isn't a direct proverb 'opposite,' but the behavior is called 'parler à tort et à travers' (speaking at random).
It can be. It's a gentle way of saying 'you're being impulsive,' but it can sound patronizing if said to a superior.
It's a symbolic number representing completion and perfection in Western tradition.
It's a bit too idiomatic for a formal report, but perfect for a speech or a meeting.
Yes, 'Tourner sa langue sept fois' is very common.
Yes, 'tourner' is the canonical verb. You cannot use 'bouger' or 'rouler'.
Not exactly. 'Bite your tongue' means stop talking. This proverb means 'think before you start talking'.
Frases relacionadas
Réfléchir à deux fois
synonymTo think twice.
Tenir sa langue
similarTo keep a secret or stay silent.
Avoir la langue bien pendue
contrastTo be talkative or have a 'ready tongue'.
La parole est d'argent, mais le silence est d'or
builds onSpeech is silver, but silence is golden.
