sous les élément
sous the élément
حرفيًا: under the elements
Use it to describe being outside when the weather is a powerful, unavoidable force.
في 15 ثانية
- Being exposed to wind, rain, or snow outdoors.
- Used to describe braving harsh or dramatic weather.
- Adds a poetic or epic touch to everyday stories.
المعنى
This phrase describes being outside and completely exposed to the weather, especially when it is rainy, windy, or stormy.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Describing a hiking trip
On a marché trois heures sous les éléments.
We walked for three hours exposed to the elements.
Talking about outdoor workers
Les ouvriers travaillent sous les éléments toute la journée.
The workers work out in the elements all day.
Texting a friend during a storm
Je suis coincé sous les éléments, j'arrive en retard !
I'm stuck out in this weather, I'll be late!
خلفية ثقافية
The French have a deep, almost romantic relationship with nature and the 'terroir.' This expression reflects a historical respect for the environment's power, common in both rural farming communities and coastal maritime regions. It highlights the human experience of being part of the natural world rather than just observing it.
Make it dramatic
Use this phrase instead of just saying 'il pleut' (it's raining) to make your stories sound more adventurous and interesting.
Always Plural
Never say 'sous l'élément.' It is always plural—'les éléments'—referring to the collective forces of nature.
في 15 ثانية
- Being exposed to wind, rain, or snow outdoors.
- Used to describe braving harsh or dramatic weather.
- Adds a poetic or epic touch to everyday stories.
What It Means
Imagine you are standing on a cliff. The wind is howling around you. Rain is soaking through your jacket. This is the essence of sous les éléments. It means being out in the wild. You aren't just 'outside' for a coffee. You are interacting with nature's raw forces. It sounds much more epic than just saying dehors. It implies a sense of vulnerability or strength. You are at the mercy of the sky. It's a very visual and atmospheric expression.
How To Use It
You can drop this into many conversations. It usually follows a verb of action. Think of verbs like rester or braver. If you stayed out in a storm, say it. Je suis resté sous les éléments. It makes your story sound like a movie. You can also use it for jobs. Farmers and sailors often work sous les éléments. It highlights the toughness of their daily lives. Don't be afraid to be a bit dramatic. It’s a phrase that loves a little flair.
When To Use It
Use it when the weather is the main character. Maybe you went camping and it poured rain. Or perhaps you had to walk home in snow. It’s perfect for those 'tough' outdoor moments. Use it when talking to friends about a hike. It also works in professional reports about weather. If a storm hits a festival, use it there. It adds weight to the description of the event. It’s great for social media captions too. Imagine a photo of you soaked but smiling.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for a picnic in June. If the sun is out, it's wrong. It’s not for a quick trip to the store. Unless, of course, there is a hurricane happening. Don't use it if you are under a roof. Even a porch counts as being 'sheltered'. This phrase requires you to be fully exposed. Using it for a light breeze sounds silly. Your friends might think you are being too dramatic. Keep it for when nature actually shows off.
Cultural Background
France has a long history of maritime exploration. Sailors often talked about the power of the sea. This phrase likely grew from that deep respect. It’s also very common in French romantic literature. Think of poets wandering through stormy forests. They loved the idea of man versus nature. Today, it reflects the French love for the outdoors. Even in bad weather, people still go for walks. It’s part of that 'c'est la vie' attitude. Nature is tough, but so are you.
Common Variations
You will often hear affronter les éléments. This means you are actively fighting the weather. It sounds very brave and heroic. Then there is déchaînement des éléments. This describes a total loss of control. It’s for when the storm is truly violent. You might also hear braver les éléments. This is similar to affronter but feels more defiant. All these variations keep the 'elements' at the center. They just change how you react to them.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is neutral and versatile. It is grammatically fixed in the plural form and always uses the preposition 'sous'.
Make it dramatic
Use this phrase instead of just saying 'il pleut' (it's raining) to make your stories sound more adventurous and interesting.
Always Plural
Never say 'sous l'élément.' It is always plural—'les éléments'—referring to the collective forces of nature.
The 'Romantic' Connection
French literature often uses this phrase to show a character's internal struggle reflected in the wild weather outside.
أمثلة
6On a marché trois heures sous les éléments.
We walked for three hours exposed to the elements.
The speaker emphasizes that the weather was a significant part of the hike.
Les ouvriers travaillent sous les éléments toute la journée.
The workers work out in the elements all day.
Used here to show respect for the difficulty of their job.
Je suis coincé sous les éléments, j'arrive en retard !
I'm stuck out in this weather, I'll be late!
A slightly dramatic way to explain a delay caused by rain.
Regarde le chien, il adore rester sous les éléments !
Look at the dog, he loves being out in the elements!
Using a grand phrase for a simple, funny situation.
Elle se sentait enfin libre, seule sous les éléments.
She finally felt free, alone amidst the elements.
This uses the phrase's literary potential to convey emotion.
Le concert a été annulé car la scène était trop exposée sous les éléments.
The concert was cancelled because the stage was too exposed to the elements.
Formal usage in a news or announcement context.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase about braving a storm.
Il a décidé de ___ les éléments pour aller chercher du pain.
`Affronter les éléments` is a common variation meaning to brave or face the weather.
Complete the sentence to describe working outside.
Le jardinier passe sa journée ___ les éléments.
The correct preposition for this expression is always `sous` (under).
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Sous les éléments'
Used jokingly when caught in a light rain shower.
Je suis sous les éléments !
Standard way to describe outdoor activities in bad weather.
Nous avons campé sous les éléments.
Used in literature or news to describe nature's power.
L'expédition a souffert sous les éléments.
When to use 'Sous les éléments'
Hiking in a storm
Braving the wind on a mountain.
Outdoor work
Construction workers in the rain.
Sailing
Being on a boat during high seas.
Waiting for transit
Standing at a bus stop in the snow.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, in this context, les éléments refers to natural forces like wind, rain, and fire, not the periodic table.
It is rarely used for heat. It usually implies 'weathering' something difficult like rain or a storm.
Yes, it is neutral and perfectly acceptable for explaining why an outdoor event might be delayed.
Dehors just means outside. Sous les éléments implies you are being affected by the weather conditions.
Yes, you will hear it in news reports, weather forecasts, and everyday storytelling.
No, that sounds unnatural. The standard preposition is always sous (under).
Not at all. It is standard French that leans slightly toward a literary or descriptive style.
It is pronounced 'ay-lay-mon'. The 's' at the end is silent unless followed by a vowel.
Only metaphorically, perhaps in a very poetic sense, but 99% of the time it refers to being physically outside.
Not necessarily a hurricane, but it should be more than a light drizzle to justify the 'epic' feel of the phrase.
عبارات ذات صلة
Un temps de chien
Terrible weather (literally 'dog weather').
Braver la tempête
To brave the storm.
Trempé jusqu'aux os
Soaked to the bone.
Le grand air
The great outdoors.
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