意思
To be prone to excessive alcohol consumption.
文化背景
In France, wine is often served at every meal. 'Avoir le coude léger' is a way to acknowledge over-consumption without the social stigma of 'alcoholism', which is seen as a medical failure. While the phrase is understood, Quebecers might also use 'être un bon vivant' or 'aimer la brosse' (slang for a drinking session). In Belgium, where beer culture is dominant, this phrase is equally popular. It's often used in the context of 'estaminets' (traditional cafes). On French social media, you might see this phrase used in memes about 'l'apéro' (the pre-dinner drink), which is a sacred social ritual.
Use with 'un peu'
Adding 'un peu' (a bit) makes the phrase sound more natural and slightly less aggressive.
Gender Agreement
Never say 'la coude légère'. The elbow is always a 'he' in French!
意思
To be prone to excessive alcohol consumption.
Use with 'un peu'
Adding 'un peu' (a bit) makes the phrase sound more natural and slightly less aggressive.
Gender Agreement
Never say 'la coude légère'. The elbow is always a 'he' in French!
Irony is Key
This phrase works best when said with a slight smile or a knowing look.
Bistro Etiquette
In a French bar, you might hear this about a regular. It's part of the local 'folklore'.
自我测试
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Fais attention à ton grand-père, il a toujours le ______ ______ quand il y a du champagne.
The idiom is 'avoir le coude léger'. 'Bras long' means having influence.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Talking about a woman who drinks too much:
The adjective 'léger' must be masculine singular to agree with 'le coude'.
Match the idiom to the most appropriate situation.
Situation: You are telling a friend why you are worried about your roommate's new habit of going to the bar every night.
'Avoir le coude léger' describes a habit of drinking too much.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Pierre n'est pas venu travailler ce matin, il avait l'air mal hier soir. B: C'est normal, hier c'était l'anniversaire de sa femme et il ______.
The sentence requires the imperfect tense (avait) to match the context of yesterday's event.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Drinking Idioms Comparison
Related Vocabulary
Vessels
- • Un verre
- • Une bouteille
- • Une flûte
States
- • Ivre
- • Pompette
- • Grisé
练习题库
4 练习Fais attention à ton grand-père, il a toujours le ______ ______ quand il y a du champagne.
The idiom is 'avoir le coude léger'. 'Bras long' means having influence.
Talking about a woman who drinks too much:
The adjective 'léger' must be masculine singular to agree with 'le coude'.
Situation: You are telling a friend why you are worried about your roommate's new habit of going to the bar every night.
'Avoir le coude léger' describes a habit of drinking too much.
A: Pierre n'est pas venu travailler ce matin, il avait l'air mal hier soir. B: C'est normal, hier c'était l'anniversaire de sa femme et il ______.
The sentence requires the imperfect tense (avait) to match the context of yesterday's event.
🎉 得分： /4
常见问题
10 个问题It can be. It's informal and points out a vice. Use it with people you know well.
Yes, as a joke: 'J'ai eu le coude un peu léger hier soir.'
No, it applies to any alcohol, though in France it's often associated with wine or pastis.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you could say 'Il ne touche pas à une goutte d'alcool.'
A little bit, but it's still very much alive and understood by all generations.
Absolutely not. It's too informal.
Use 'une personne dépendante à l'alcool' or 'un grand consommateur d'alcool'.
Because the elbow moves easily and frequently, as if it had no weight.
Yes, it's widely understood in Switzerland, Belgium, and Canada.
No, for food we say 'avoir un bon coup de fourchette' (to have a good fork stroke).
相关表达
lever le coude
similarTo drink alcohol.
être porté sur la bouteille
synonymTo be inclined to drink.
boire comme un trou
synonymTo drink like a hole (excessively).
être rond comme une queue de pelle
builds onTo be completely drunk.
éponger
specialized formTo drink a lot.
