A1 Proverb 非正式

Quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris dansent

When the cat's away, the mice will play

意思

People will take advantage of a lack of supervision.

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文化背景

In French schools, this proverb is often taught very early through fables and children's stories, making it one of the most recognized idioms in the country. The proverb is used identically in Quebec, though the accent and surrounding slang might change (e.g., using 'le boss' instead of 'le patron'). The proverb is widely used in West African Francophone countries to describe political or social situations where local authorities are absent.

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Use it for humor

This is a great phrase to break the ice with French colleagues when the boss leaves for a meeting.

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Don't be too literal

If you use this when actual mice are in a room, people will think you are making a dad joke.

意思

People will take advantage of a lack of supervision.

💡

Use it for humor

This is a great phrase to break the ice with French colleagues when the boss leaves for a meeting.

⚠️

Don't be too literal

If you use this when actual mice are in a room, people will think you are making a dad joke.

自我测试

Complete the proverb.

Quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris _______.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: dansent

The traditional verb used in this French proverb is 'dansent'.

Which situation best fits the proverb?

Situation: The teacher leaves the room and students start talking.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Vrai

This is the classic application of the proverb.

What does 'souris' mean in this context?

In the proverb, 'les souris' represents:

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: The subordinates/workers

The mice are the people who take advantage of the lack of supervision.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Le chef est en réunion. B: Super ! _______ !

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris dansent

This is the natural idiomatic response to a boss being away.

🎉 得分: /4

视觉学习工具

练习题库

4 练习
Complete the proverb. Fill Blank A1

Quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris _______.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: dansent

The traditional verb used in this French proverb is 'dansent'.

Which situation best fits the proverb? situation_matching A1

Situation: The teacher leaves the room and students start talking.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Vrai

This is the classic application of the proverb.

What does 'souris' mean in this context? Choose A1

In the proverb, 'les souris' represents:

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: The subordinates/workers

The mice are the people who take advantage of the lack of supervision.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: Le chef est en réunion. B: Super ! _______ !

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris dansent

This is the natural idiomatic response to a boss being away.

🎉 得分: /4

常见问题

4 个问题

Not necessarily. It's usually playful. However, don't say it *to* your boss unless you have a very close, joking relationship.

Yes, you can say 'La souris danse' if only one person is slacking, but the plural 'les souris dansent' is the standard form.

The standard proverb is 'n'est pas là' (is not there). 'N'est plus là' (is no longer there) is grammatically correct but changes the fixed idiom.

Yes, it's a 'timeless' proverb. Even teenagers use it, though they might prefer slang in very casual settings.

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