être fleur bleue

You use it as an adjective to describe a person. You can say Je suis fleur bleue or Elle est très fleur bleue. It does not change for gender. Even a tough guy can be fleur bleue deep down. Use it when talking about movies, books, or dating habits. It is a great way to admit you have a soft side.

Use it when you are watching a sunset with friends. Use it when you admit you still like boy bands. It is perfect for texting a crush after a date. You can use it at a restaurant when you get emotional over a dessert. It works well when discussing your favorite classic novels. It adds a touch of self-awareness to your emotions.

Avoid using this in a serious business meeting. It is too personal for professional negotiations. Do not use it to describe a tragic situation. It is for lighthearted, sweet sentimentality, not deep grief. It is also not for describing physical objects. You would not call a blue car fleur bleue. Keep it for people and their romantic temperaments.

The phrase comes from German Romanticism. The poet Novalis used a 'blue flower' as a symbol. It represented the unreachable goal of desire and love. The French adopted it in the 19th century. Over time, the meaning shifted slightly. It went from deep philosophical longing to sweet, simple romanticism. It is a very poetic way to describe a personality trait.

You might hear people say jouer les fleurs bleues. This means someone is acting more sentimental than they really are. Sometimes people just say C'est un peu fleur bleue. This describes a movie or a song that is a bit too cheesy. You can also add adverbs like un peu or très. There are no major regional slang versions. It is a classic expression understood by everyone in France.