prendre la clé des champs
To go alone
Wörtlich: To take the key of the fields
Use this when you are escaping a stifling situation to find freedom or peace in the outdoors.
In 15 Sekunden
- To escape or run away to seek freedom.
- Literally means taking the key to the fields.
- Used for leaving a restrictive situation for a better one.
Bedeutung
It means to run away or escape to freedom. Think of it as leaving your responsibilities behind to find some peace and quiet.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Leaving a boring party
Cette soirée est d'un ennui ! Je vais prendre la clé des champs.
This party is so boring! I'm going to make a run for it.
A pet escaping
Le chat a encore pris la clé des champs par la fenêtre.
The cat escaped through the window again.
Quitting a stressful job
Après dix ans dans ce bureau, il a enfin pris la clé des champs.
After ten years in this office, he finally left for greener pastures.
Kultureller Hintergrund
This expression originates from the Middle Ages when fields were the only places without gates or locks. It gained massive popularity through Jean de La Fontaine's fables, specifically 'The Town Rat and the Country Rat.' It represents the classic French philosophical preference for rural liberty over urban constraints.
Conjugation is key
Remember that 'prendre' is irregular. Practice 'je prends', 'nous prenons', and 'ils prennent' so you don't stumble mid-sentence.
The Rat Connection
If you want to impress a French person, mention Jean de La Fontaine. This phrase is heavily associated with his fables about freedom.
In 15 Sekunden
- To escape or run away to seek freedom.
- Literally means taking the key to the fields.
- Used for leaving a restrictive situation for a better one.
What It Means
Imagine you are feeling trapped in a stuffy office. You just want to drop everything and run. That is exactly what prendre la clé des champs feels like. It means to escape, run away, or seek freedom. It is about leaving a place where you feel confined. You are literally grabbing the 'key' to the open countryside. It is a beautiful, poetic way to say you are out of here.
How To Use It
You use it like a standard verb phrase. Conjugate prendre to match your subject. For example, je prends or ils ont pris. It often implies a sudden or secret departure. You do not just leave; you vanish into the wild. It sounds more romantic than just saying you are quitting. Use it when the exit feels like a relief.
When To Use It
Use it when you are escaping a boring party. Use it when a bird flies out of its cage. It is perfect for talking about a weekend getaway. If you are quitting a job you hate, this fits. Use it when you need to clear your head. It works well in storytelling or casual chats. It adds a touch of literary flair to your speech.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for a planned business trip. That is too formal and organized for this phrase. Avoid it if you are just going to the grocery store. It implies a sense of liberation, not a chore. Do not use it in a legal context for a prisoner. That might sound a bit too whimsical for a serious crime. Keep it for moments of personal freedom.
Cultural Background
This phrase dates back to the 14th century. Back then, 'fields' represented the ultimate space of freedom. Cities were walled and cramped, while the countryside was open. The 'key' is metaphorical because fields do not have doors. It suggests that you have the power to unlock your own cage. It is a staple of French literature and fables. It reflects the French love for the 'terroir' and the great outdoors.
Common Variations
You might hear se faire la malle in slang. That is a much more 'street' way to say escape. Another variation is prendre la poudre d'escampette. That one means to bolt or run away quickly. Prendre la clé des champs remains the most poetic version. It focuses on the destination (freedom) rather than just the act of running.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is neutral to slightly informal. It is very safe to use in most social situations and carries a whimsical, pleasant tone.
Conjugation is key
Remember that 'prendre' is irregular. Practice 'je prends', 'nous prenons', and 'ils prennent' so you don't stumble mid-sentence.
The Rat Connection
If you want to impress a French person, mention Jean de La Fontaine. This phrase is heavily associated with his fables about freedom.
Don't be too literal
Don't use this if you are actually looking for a physical key to a gate. People will think you are lost!
Beispiele
6Cette soirée est d'un ennui ! Je vais prendre la clé des champs.
This party is so boring! I'm going to make a run for it.
Expresses a desire to leave an uninteresting social event.
Le chat a encore pris la clé des champs par la fenêtre.
The cat escaped through the window again.
Used here for a literal escape of an animal.
Après dix ans dans ce bureau, il a enfin pris la clé des champs.
After ten years in this office, he finally left for greener pastures.
Implies a liberating career change.
Besoin d'air. Je prends la clé des champs ce weekend !
Need air. I'm heading for the hills this weekend!
Short and punchy for a text message.
Le héros décide de prendre la clé des champs pour éviter le mariage.
The hero decides to run away to avoid the wedding.
Fits well in a literary or storytelling context.
Et si on prenait la clé des champs au lieu d'aller en réunion ?
What if we ditched and went outside instead of going to the meeting?
Suggesting a rebellious break from work.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.
J'en ai marre de la ville, je ___ la clé des champs demain.
The idiom always uses the verb 'prendre' (to take).
Which word is missing to complete the idiom?
Elle a décidé de prendre la clé des ___.
'Champs' (fields) is the destination of freedom in this classic expression.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Prendre la clé des champs'
Se faire la malle
Il s'est fait la malle.
Prendre la clé des champs
Je prends la clé des champs.
S'évader / S'enfuir
Il s'est évadé de sa condition.
When to use the phrase
Escaping a boring event
Leaving a dull wedding early.
Retiring or Quitting
Leaving a high-stress job forever.
Nature Getaway
Going for a solo hike in the Alps.
Literal Escape
A bird flying out of a cage.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot necessarily! While it mentions fields, it's a metaphor for any kind of freedom or escape from restriction.
Yes, if you're joking with colleagues about leaving early. It's neutral enough for a relaxed office environment.
Absolutely. It's a very common way to describe heading off for a spontaneous or much-needed holiday.
It has a classic feel, but it's still widely used and understood by all generations in France.
S'enfuir is just 'to run away.' Prendre la clé des champs adds a sense of poetic relief and seeking liberty.
Yes! You can say Nous avons pris la clé des champs if you and a friend are escaping together.
Usually no. It's mostly seen as a positive, liberating act, unless you're abandoning a very important duty.
You would say J'ai pris la clé des champs. Use the passé composé with the auxiliary avoir.
No, it's an idiom. It's more sophisticated than slang but less formal than academic language.
You could, but it might sound a bit too 'Robin Hood' or romanticized for a common criminal.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Prendre la poudre d'escampette
To bolt or run away quickly
Se faire la malle
To clear out or escape (slang)
Prendre le large
To head out to sea / to distance oneself
Filer à l'anglaise
To take a French leave (leave without saying goodbye)
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