laisser un courage
to laisser a courage
Wörtlich: to leave a courage
Use it when leaving a quiet, supportive 'bravery boost' for a friend to find later.
In 15 Sekunden
- Leaving a hidden note or text of support for someone.
- Treats 'courage' as a physical gift you can leave behind.
- Best for friends, partners, or close colleagues facing challenges.
Bedeutung
To leave a small token, note, or word of encouragement for someone to find later. It is like leaving a 'bravery boost' in their path when they need it most.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Leaving a note for a roommate
J'ai laissé un courage sur le frigo pour ton examen.
I left a 'courage' on the fridge for your exam.
Texting a friend before an interview
Je te laisse un petit courage ici avant ton rendez-vous !
I'm leaving a little 'courage' here for you before your meeting!
Encouraging a colleague
On lui laisse un courage sur son bureau ? Elle a l'air stressée.
Should we leave a 'courage' on her desk? She looks stressed.
Kultureller Hintergrund
This expression stems from a modern, poetic usage of French where uncountable nouns are made countable to show affection. It mirrors the 'Post-it' culture in urban France, where leaving supportive notes in public or private spaces has become a common social ritual. It highlights the French preference for subtle, indirect emotional support over grand, loud gestures.
The Post-it Power
In France, leaving a physical 'courage' on a yellow sticky note is considered much more meaningful than a digital one. It shows you took the time to write.
Grammar Trap
Remember to use 'un' (a) instead of 'du' (some) to make it feel like a specific gift. 'Laisser du courage' sounds like you spilled some bravery on the floor!
In 15 Sekunden
- Leaving a hidden note or text of support for someone.
- Treats 'courage' as a physical gift you can leave behind.
- Best for friends, partners, or close colleagues facing challenges.
What It Means
Imagine you have a friend who is about to face a giant monster. Not a real one, of course. Maybe it is a scary exam or a tough meeting. You want to help, but you cannot be there in person. So, you laisser un courage. This phrase treats 'courage' like a physical object. You are literally leaving a little piece of bravery behind for them. It is more than just a note. It is a quiet, powerful gesture of solidarity. It says, 'I am not there, but my support is.' It is the linguistic equivalent of a warm hug left on a sticky note.
How To Use It
You use this phrase just like you would say 'leave a message.' It follows the standard verb-object pattern: laisser (to leave) + un courage (a piece of courage). You can say Je lui ai laissé un courage (I left them a courage). It works perfectly for physical objects. Think of a Post-it on a computer screen. Or a quick text message sent right before their phone goes on silent. It is short, punchy, and very sweet. You are turning an abstract feeling into a gift.
When To Use It
This is your go-to for 'stealth support.' Use it when a roommate is stressed about chores and life. Use it when a colleague is prepping for a big presentation. It is perfect for those 'I’m thinking of you' moments. If you see someone struggling, you laisser un courage to brighten their day. It is especially popular in creative circles or among close friends. It feels modern and a bit poetic. It is the perfect way to be a 'secret admirer' of someone's strength.
When NOT To Use It
Keep this away from your lawyer or your banker. It is a bit too 'whimsical' for high-stakes professional contracts. If you are writing a formal letter to a government official, stick to cordialement. Also, do not use it if you are actually there in person. If you are standing right in front of them, just donner du courage (give courage). Laisser implies you are leaving the scene. Using it while standing there might make them look behind them for the 'courage' you supposedly left!
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on le petit geste (the small gesture). There is a certain elegance in being supportive without being overbearing. This phrase reflects a modern shift in the French language. Traditionally, 'courage' is uncountable (du courage). By saying un courage, you are making it personal and specific. It fits into the 'Post-it culture' of Paris offices and student dorms. It is a way to bypass the usual French 'pudeur' (emotional reserve) with a bit of charm.
Common Variations
The most standard version you will hear is donner du courage (to give courage). If you want to be more literal, you can say laisser un mot d'encouragement (leave a note of encouragement). If someone is already doing the hard thing, you just shout Bon courage! as they walk away. But if you want to sound like a thoughtful, modern friend, laisser un courage is your secret weapon. It is the difference between a generic 'good luck' and a personalized 'I believe in you.'
Nutzungshinweise
This is an informal, creative expression. It is grammatically playful because it turns an uncountable noun into a countable one. Use it to sound thoughtful and modern with friends.
The Post-it Power
In France, leaving a physical 'courage' on a yellow sticky note is considered much more meaningful than a digital one. It shows you took the time to write.
Grammar Trap
Remember to use 'un' (a) instead of 'du' (some) to make it feel like a specific gift. 'Laisser du courage' sounds like you spilled some bravery on the floor!
The Silent 'H'
French people often pair this with a wink or a small smile. It's a very 'low-key' way to be a hero in someone's day.
Beispiele
6J'ai laissé un courage sur le frigo pour ton examen.
I left a 'courage' on the fridge for your exam.
A classic use of a physical note in a shared space.
Je te laisse un petit courage ici avant ton rendez-vous !
I'm leaving a little 'courage' here for you before your meeting!
Using 'ici' (here) refers to the text message thread itself.
On lui laisse un courage sur son bureau ? Elle a l'air stressée.
Should we leave a 'courage' on her desk? She looks stressed.
Suggesting a group gesture of support.
Je t'ai laissé un courage... et un croissant.
I left you a 'courage'... and a croissant.
Pairing the abstract 'courage' with a physical treat.
Je voulais juste te laisser un courage pour ta soirée.
I just wanted to leave you some 'courage' for your evening.
A gentle way to show support during a difficult time.
Petit courage laissé en commentaire pour ta course demain !
A little 'courage' left in the comments for your race tomorrow!
Adapting the phrase for digital social support.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase for leaving a note.
Je vais lui ___ un courage sur son clavier.
To 'leave' something behind for someone else, you must use the verb 'laisser'.
Complete the sentence to encourage a friend.
N'oublie pas de lui laisser un ___ avant son départ.
The phrase 'laisser un courage' is the specific idiom for leaving support.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Laisser un courage'
Best with friends and family.
Leaving a note on a fridge.
Okay with close colleagues.
A quick Slack message.
Too casual for official business.
A legal letter.
Where to 'Laisser un courage'
Exam Day
Sticky note on a textbook
Job Interview
Encouraging text message
First Date
Voice memo of support
Moving Day
Note inside a packing box
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNot exactly! It is a creative, modern collocation. Standard French uses donner du courage, but laisser un courage is a charming way to describe leaving a supportive note.
Only if you have a very friendly, close relationship. Otherwise, it might seem a bit too informal or 'cute' for a professional setting.
Du courage is general bravery. Un courage treats it as a specific token or instance of support, like a single 'unit' of bravery you are gifting.
Usually, yes. The verb laisser (to leave) implies you are putting something somewhere for later discovery, like a note, a text, or even a small chocolate.
It is more common among younger generations and in urban areas like Paris where 'mignon' (cute) expressions are popular in social media and texting.
It sounds like 'koo-RAZH'. Make sure to use the soft 'zh' sound at the end, like the 's' in 'measure'.
Not really. Laisser un courage is a specific play on the phrase Bon courage. Force doesn't work the same way in this context.
You can say Je vous laisse un courage à tous. It’s a lovely way to sign off a group chat before a big event.
Yes! It is very common in texts. For example: Je te laisse un petit courage pour ton aprem ! (I'm leaving you a little courage for your afternoon!).
Yes, it is very appropriate for providing gentle support during grief or a breakup when you don't want to be too intrusive.
The biggest mistake is using it when you are staying with the person. If you aren't leaving, use Je te donne du courage instead.
Not specifically, but you might hear Je te laisse de la force, which is a more 'street' or youth-oriented way of saying something similar.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Donner du courage
To give courage/encourage someone actively.
Bon courage
The standard way to say 'Good luck' or 'Hang in there'.
Laisser un petit mot
To leave a short note.
Remonter le moral
To boost someone's morale or cheer them up.
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