n'avoir ni queue ni tête
To be brave
Literalmente: To have neither tail nor head
Use this phrase whenever something is so confusing it lacks any logical structure or beginning and end.
En 15 segundos
- Used to describe something that is completely illogical or nonsensical.
- Literally means 'to have neither tail nor head.'
- Perfect for confusing stories, bad movies, or messy plans.
Significado
Imagine watching a movie where the ending happens first and the main character is a talking toaster. You'd say it 'has neither head nor tail' because it makes absolutely no sense.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Reacting to a confusing movie
Le film d'hier soir n'avait ni queue ni tête.
Last night's movie made no sense at all.
Discussing a messy work proposal
Honnêtement, ce projet n'a ni queue ni tête.
Honestly, this project has no rhyme or reason.
Texting a friend about a weird dream
J'ai fait un rêve qui n'avait ni queue ni tête !
I had a dream that made zero sense!
Contexto cultural
The expression highlights the French cultural emphasis on 'la clarté' (clarity). It stems from the idea that a coherent thought should be like a well-formed animal with a beginning (head) and an end (tail). It became widely popularized in literature to dismiss poorly constructed arguments.
The 'Ni' Rule
Remember to use 'ni' twice! It's like 'neither... nor' in English. It sounds more rhythmic that way.
Don't use 'Être'
English speakers often say 'It is nonsensical,' but in French, you must use 'avoir' (to have). It 'has' no head or tail.
En 15 segundos
- Used to describe something that is completely illogical or nonsensical.
- Literally means 'to have neither tail nor head.'
- Perfect for confusing stories, bad movies, or messy plans.
What It Means
This phrase describes something totally illogical. It is for things that lack a clear beginning, middle, or end. If a story is confusing, it has no head or tail. If a plan is chaotic, it fits here too. It is the French way of saying 'it makes no sense.'
How To Use It
You use it just like a normal verb. Pair it with ça (that) or ceci (this). For example, Ça n'a ni queue ni tête. It is very common in spoken French. You can use it for stories, excuses, or even modern art. It feels punchy and very descriptive.
When To Use It
Use it when you are genuinely confused. Use it when your friend tells a rambling story. It works well at work if a project plan is messy. Use it while watching a weird Netflix documentary. It is perfect for those 'Wait, what?' moments in life. It adds a bit of flair to your frustration.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for people directly. You wouldn't say a person 'has no head or tail.' That sounds like a weird physical mutation. Only use it for ideas, talk, or situations. Also, avoid it in very formal legal documents. It is a bit too colorful for a courtroom. Keep it for conversations and emails.
Cultural Background
This idiom dates back to the 17th century. It refers to an animal or a scroll. If you can't find the ends, you can't understand the whole. It reflects the French love for logic and 'Cartesian' thinking. If it isn't logical, the French will definitely let you know. It’s a linguistic staple for critics everywhere.
Common Variations
You might hear Ça ne rime à rien. This means 'it rhymes with nothing.' Another one is C'est du n'importe quoi. That is much more aggressive and informal. N'avoir ni queue ni tête is the most poetic of the bunch. It paints a funny picture of a headless, tailless beast.
Notas de uso
This phrase is incredibly versatile because it sits perfectly in the 'neutral' register. It is descriptive without being vulgar, making it safe for almost any situation where logic is missing.
The 'Ni' Rule
Remember to use 'ni' twice! It's like 'neither... nor' in English. It sounds more rhythmic that way.
Don't use 'Être'
English speakers often say 'It is nonsensical,' but in French, you must use 'avoir' (to have). It 'has' no head or tail.
The Logic Obsession
French culture values 'Cartesian logic.' Using this phrase is a very French way of asserting that you value order and clarity.
Ejemplos
6Le film d'hier soir n'avait ni queue ni tête.
Last night's movie made no sense at all.
Common way to critique abstract or poorly edited media.
Honnêtement, ce projet n'a ni queue ni tête.
Honestly, this project has no rhyme or reason.
Professional but firm way to point out lack of logic.
J'ai fait un rêve qui n'avait ni queue ni tête !
I had a dream that made zero sense!
Perfect for describing the randomness of dreams.
Ton explication n'a ni queue ni tête, sois plus clair.
Your explanation is nonsensical, be clearer.
Used to demand better communication.
Cette sculpture n'a ni queue ni tête, littéralement !
This sculpture has no head or tail, literally!
A play on the literal and figurative meaning.
Cette procédure administrative n'a ni queue ni tête.
This administrative procedure is totally illogical.
A very relatable French sentiment.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence to say the story makes no sense.
Son histoire est bizarre, elle n'a ni ___ ni tête.
The full idiom is 'ni queue ni tête' (neither tail nor head).
Choose the correct verb form for 'this'.
Tout ce que tu dis ___ ni queue ni tête.
The idiom uses the verb 'avoir' (to have).
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Formality Scale
Used with friends for gossip.
C'est n'importe quoi !
Standard conversation/work.
Ça n'a ni queue ni tête.
Academic or literary critique.
Ce raisonnement manque de cohérence.
When to use 'Ni queue ni tête'
Bad Movie
Confusing plot
Weak Excuse
Lying badly
Messy Emails
No clear point
Dreams
Flying toasters
Preguntas frecuentes
11 preguntasIt means something is completely illogical or makes no sense. You use it for stories or arguments like Ton histoire n'a ni queue ni tête.
It can be a bit blunt. It's fine with friends, but in a professional setting, it's a strong way to say a plan is bad.
No, it only applies to things like ideas, stories, or situations. You wouldn't say Il n'a ni queue ni tête.
It is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper article or while chatting at a bar.
The closest equivalents are 'to make no sense' or 'to have no rhyme or reason.'
In formal writing, yes. In casual speech, people often drop it: Ça a ni queue ni tête.
Yes! You can use it as an adjective phrase, like Une histoire sans queue ni tête.
It refers to an animal. If you can't tell which end is which, the animal (or the story) is a mess.
Yes, C'est n'importe quoi is much more informal and common in daily life.
Not really. It's for logical mess, not physical mess. Use C'est le bordel for a messy room.
Yes, it is widely understood and used across France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada.
Frases relacionadas
C'est du n'importe quoi
That's nonsense / rubbish
Ça ne rime à rien
It makes no sense / has no purpose
Perdre le fil
To lose the thread (of a story)
Tirer par les cheveux
Far-fetched / convoluted
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