à la queue leu leu
To be aware of
بهطور تحتاللفظی: At the tail wolf wolf
Use it to describe a group of people following each other in a neat, single file line.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used to describe people walking in a single file line.
- Comes from an old word for 'wolf' (leu).
- Commonly used for groups, kids, or even conga lines.
معنی
This phrase describes people or things following one another in a single file line. It is exactly what you say when everyone is walking one behind the other, like a row of ducklings.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Describing a group of tourists
Les touristes marchent à la queue leu leu derrière le guide.
The tourists are walking in single file behind the guide.
Organizing friends on a narrow path
Le sentier est étroit, marchons à la queue leu leu !
The path is narrow, let's walk in single file!
A teacher talking to students
Allez les enfants, on se met à la queue leu leu pour aller à la cantine.
Come on children, let's get in single file to go to the cafeteria.
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase preserves the Old French word 'leu' for wolf. It references the way wolf packs travel in a line to conserve energy in snow. Today, it is most famous as a catchy party song used for conga lines at weddings.
The Wolf Secret
Remember that 'leu' is old French for 'loup'. You are literally imagining a pack of wolves!
The Conga Connection
If you are at a French wedding and hear 'La Queuleuleu', get ready to grab the waist of the person in front of you!
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used to describe people walking in a single file line.
- Comes from an old word for 'wolf' (leu).
- Commonly used for groups, kids, or even conga lines.
What It Means
Imagine a group of children walking to the cafeteria. They are all lined up in a neat row. That is exactly what à la queue leu leu means. It describes a single file line. The word leu is actually an old French word for wolf. So, you are literally saying everyone is following the tail of the wolf in front of them. It is a very visual and rhythmic expression.
How To Use It
You use it as an adverbial phrase. You do not need to conjugate anything. Just add it after a verb of movement like marcher (to walk) or se suivre (to follow each other). For example, you can say: "We walked à la queue leu leu to the museum." It sounds playful and organized at the same time. It is perfect for describing a group dynamic.
When To Use It
Use it whenever you see people forming a line. It is very common when talking about tourists following a guide. You can use it with friends when hiking a narrow trail. It is also great for describing cars stuck in a slow line on a country road. It adds a bit of charm to a mundane observation. If you are organizing a group of people, this is your go-to phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a formal waiting line at a bank. In that case, just use faire la queue. This phrase implies movement or a specific formation. It is a bit too whimsical for a serious business meeting about strategy. Also, do not use it if people are standing side-by-side. It specifically requires that one-after-the-other alignment. If the line is messy, this phrase does not fit.
Cultural Background
This expression dates back to the Middle Ages. Back then, leu was the common word for loup (wolf). Wolves were known to travel in packs, often stepping in each other's tracks. This helped them save energy in the snow. The French language kept this ancient word alive only within this specific phrase. It is a linguistic fossil that every French person knows. It evokes a sense of childhood and old-school discipline.
Common Variations
You might hear people just say en file indienne. That means "Indian file" and is a direct synonym. However, à la queue leu leu is much more traditional and fun to say. Some people might shorten it to just à la queue, but you lose the rhythmic charm. There is even a famous 1980s party song by Bézu called "La Queuleuleu." It is played at weddings when people start a conga line!
نکات کاربردی
This phrase is neutral to informal. It is highly visual and slightly playful due to its rhythmic nature and historical reference to wolves.
The Wolf Secret
Remember that 'leu' is old French for 'loup'. You are literally imagining a pack of wolves!
The Conga Connection
If you are at a French wedding and hear 'La Queuleuleu', get ready to grab the waist of the person in front of you!
Not for Waiting
Don't use this for standing still in a line at the supermarket; use 'faire la queue' instead.
مثالها
6Les touristes marchent à la queue leu leu derrière le guide.
The tourists are walking in single file behind the guide.
A classic observation of a group following a leader.
Le sentier est étroit, marchons à la queue leu leu !
The path is narrow, let's walk in single file!
Practical instruction for a group activity.
Allez les enfants, on se met à la queue leu leu pour aller à la cantine.
Come on children, let's get in single file to go to the cafeteria.
Very common in school settings.
Il y avait tellement de monde qu'on avançait à la queue leu leu.
There were so many people that we were moving in single file.
Describes a crowded but moving situation.
Dès que la musique a commencé, ils se sont mis à la queue leu leu !
As soon as the music started, they started a conga line!
Refers to the famous party dance.
Les voitures se suivent à la queue leu leu sur la petite route.
The cars are following each other in a long line on the small road.
Used for objects moving in a sequence.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct phrase to describe people walking one behind the other.
Pour entrer dans l'avion, les passagers avancent ___.
The phrase 'à la queue leu leu' is used for people moving in a single file line.
Complete the sentence about a hiking trip.
Le chemin était très petit, donc nous avons marché ___.
When a path is narrow, walking in single file is the logical choice.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'À la queue leu leu'
Used at parties or with kids.
Faire la queuleuleu (conga line).
Describing a group of tourists or hikers.
Marcher à la queue leu leu.
Too playful for a legal or high-level corporate setting.
N/A
When to see 'À la queue leu leu'
School Trip
Kids following a teacher.
Hiking
Walking on a narrow trail.
Tourism
Following a guide with an umbrella.
Weddings
Doing the conga line dance.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt is the Old French word for 'loup' (wolf). It is no longer used in modern French except in this specific phrase.
It is often used with children, but adults use it too when describing groups of tourists or hikers. It is more playful than childish.
Probably not. It is a bit too informal. Use en file indienne or les uns après les autres for a more neutral tone.
It sounds like 'ah lah kuh luh luh'. The 'eu' sound is like the 'u' in 'burn' but with rounded lips.
Not exactly, but people often say faire la queuleuleu to mean doing a conga line dance.
Yes, it is very common to describe a slow line of cars on a road where they cannot overtake each other.
No. Faire la queue means to wait in line. À la queue leu leu describes the physical formation of people moving in a line.
It adds a rhythmic, nursery-rhyme quality to the phrase, making it easier to say and remember.
No, it is a standard idiom. It's informal and colorful, but everyone from grandmas to kids uses it.
The closest equivalents are 'single file' or 'in a row'.
عبارات مرتبط
En file indienne
In single file (Indian file)
Faire la queue
To wait in line
Les uns derrière les autres
One behind the other
À la file
In a row / successively
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