Pardon my french Meaning in English

expression

US

PAR-dun my FRENCH

UK

PAH-dun my FRENCH

Definition

People say "pardon my French" to apologize for using rude or offensive language, usually a swear word.

Usage & Nuances

This is a humorous, informal phrase used before or after saying something impolite, especially swear words. It does NOT refer to the French language. Usually used with friends or in casual situations.

• Spanish: perdona mi francés (expresión) - disculpa mi lenguaje (grosero)
• Portuguese (BR): desculpe o meu francês (expressão) - desculpe o palavrão
• Portuguese (PT): desculpa o meu francês (expressão) - desculpa a linguagem
• Chinese (Simplified): 抱歉我说粗话（表达）
• Chinese (Traditional): 抱歉我說粗話（表達）
• Hindi: माफ़ करें, मेरी भाषा के लिए (मुहावरा)
• Arabic: اعذرني على الألفاظ (تعبير)
• Bengali: ক্ষমা করবেন (খারাপ ভাষার জন্য) - বলার জন্য দুঃখিত (খারাপ শব্দ)
• Russian: простите за выражение
• Japanese: 下品な言葉で失礼しますが - 失礼な言い方ですが
• Vietnamese: xin lỗi vì nói lời thô tục
• Korean: 욕해서 미안한데 - 말이 거칠지만 양해해줘
• Turkish: affedersiniz, küfür edeceğim - argo konuşacağım, kusura bakmayın
• Urdu: معاف کیجئے گا (بری زبان کے لیے) - مجھے معاف کریں (گالی دینے پر)
• Indonesian: maaf atas kata-kata kasar saya - maaf saya mengumpat

Example Sentences

Pardon my French, but this is really annoying.

basic

He said, "Pardon my French, that's a stupid idea!"

basic

Pardon my French if I said something rude.

basic

Traffic was a nightmare—pardon my French, but I was so pissed off!

natural

I dropped my phone—pardon my French—and shouted some choice words.

natural

She always says pardon my French before swearing in front of her parents.

natural