dès potron-minet
To identify
بهطور تحتاللفظی: from the cat's bottom
Use it to describe waking up or starting a journey at the very first light of day.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Means 'at the crack of dawn' or very early morning.
- Literally refers to a cat's backside at sunrise.
- Adds a touch of literary charm to your French.
معنی
This charming expression means to do something at the crack of dawn or very early in the morning. It's that moment when the sun is just starting to peek out and most people are still tucked in bed.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Planning a road trip
On partira dès potron-minet pour éviter les bouchons.
We will leave at the crack of dawn to avoid traffic jams.
Talking about a morning workout
Elle est à la salle de sport dès potron-minet chaque jour.
She is at the gym at the crack of dawn every day.
A formal invitation to a hike
Le départ de la randonnée se fera dès potron-minet.
The hike will begin at the crack of dawn.
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase dates back to the 17th century and originally used the word 'poitron' (meaning rear end). It colorfully suggests that dawn is when you see the tail-end of a cat as it goes about its morning business. It remains a beloved 'grandma' expression that has stayed popular in modern French literature and daily conversation.
The Cat Connection
If you forget the word 'potron', just think of a cat! The word 'minet' is a common French nickname for a kitty.
Sound like a Native
Use this phrase when you want to sound slightly more educated or 'classic' without being stuffy.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Means 'at the crack of dawn' or very early morning.
- Literally refers to a cat's backside at sunrise.
- Adds a touch of literary charm to your French.
What It Means
Dès potron-minet is a poetic way to say 'very early.' It describes the exact moment the sun rises. You use it when you wake up before everyone else. It implies a sense of freshness or perhaps a long day ahead. It is much more colorful than just saying tôt le matin.
How To Use It
You place it at the beginning or end of your sentence. It acts as a time marker. You don't need to conjugate anything. Just drop it in to show you were active while the world slept. It sounds a bit sophisticated but very endearing.
When To Use It
Use it when talking about travel plans. It's perfect for that 5 AM flight description. Use it when discussing your new fitness routine. It works well when telling stories about fishing or farming. It adds a touch of old-world charm to your speech. Your French friends will be very impressed by your vocabulary.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for late morning appointments. If it is 9 AM, you missed the potron-minet window. Avoid it in high-stakes corporate legal documents. It is a bit too 'literary' for a dry contract. Don't use it if you are actually talking about cats. It has nothing to do with pets anymore!
Cultural Background
This phrase has a hilarious history. Originally, it was paistron-minet. Paistron meant 'backside' or 'bottom.' It literally referred to seeing the back of a cat as it ran off at dawn. Over time, the word evolved into the more polite potron. It reflects the rural, observant nature of old French life. It’s a survivor of 17th-century linguistic evolution.
Common Variations
You might hear dès l'aube for a more neutral 'at dawn.' Some people say au saut du lit which means 'right out of bed.' If you want to be very modern, just say super tôt. However, none have the same 'cat's bottom' flair as our phrase. Stick with potron-minet for maximum style points.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is fixed and does not change based on gender or number. It is most effective when you want to emphasize the 'uncomfortably early' nature of a task.
The Cat Connection
If you forget the word 'potron', just think of a cat! The word 'minet' is a common French nickname for a kitty.
Sound like a Native
Use this phrase when you want to sound slightly more educated or 'classic' without being stuffy.
Don't over-analyze
Don't try to translate 'potron' separately. It's an archaic word that only exists in this specific phrase today.
مثالها
6On partira dès potron-minet pour éviter les bouchons.
We will leave at the crack of dawn to avoid traffic jams.
Commonly used for travel logistics.
Elle est à la salle de sport dès potron-minet chaque jour.
She is at the gym at the crack of dawn every day.
Emphasizes dedication and early rising.
Le départ de la randonnée se fera dès potron-minet.
The hike will begin at the crack of dawn.
Sounds professional yet slightly poetic.
Mon vol est demain dès potron-minet... Je vais mourir !
My flight is tomorrow at the crack of dawn... I'm going to die!
Used here to complain about an early start.
Le jour de son mariage, elle était debout dès potron-minet.
On her wedding day, she was up at the crack of dawn.
Shows excitement and early preparation.
Pourquoi fais-tu autant de bruit dès potron-minet ?
Why are you making so much noise at the crack of dawn?
Expresses annoyance at being woken up.
خودت رو بسنج
Complete the sentence to say you woke up very early.
Je me suis réveillé ___ pour aller à la pêche.
Only 'dès potron-minet' refers to the early morning hours suitable for fishing.
Which preposition usually precedes 'potron-minet'?
Nous arriverons ___ potron-minet.
The expression is fixed as 'dès potron-minet', meaning 'starting from' or 'as early as'.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of Morning Expressions
Very informal
Aux aurores (shortened)
Perfect for friends and colleagues
Dès potron-minet
Literary or poetic
À l'aube naissante
When to say Dès Potron-minet
Catching a train
Le train part dès potron-minet.
Going to the market
Le marché ouvre dès potron-minet.
Studying before class
Je révise dès potron-minet.
Hunting or Fishing
On y va dès potron-minet.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt means 'at the crack of dawn.' Use it to describe anything happening very early in the morning, like Je me lève dès potron-minet.
Yes, it is very common! While slightly old-fashioned, people of all ages use it to add character to their speech.
It is neutral to slightly formal. You can use it with friends, but it also appears in newspapers and books.
Yes, if you're talking about an early start time. For example: La réunion commencera dès potron-minet.
Yes, minet is an affectionate term for a cat. The phrase literally refers to a cat's morning activities.
There isn't a direct 'cat' equivalent for the night, but you might say tard dans la nuit for late at night.
Not really, but you can say aux aurores which is a more common, neutral synonym.
It's a polite evolution of the old word for 'backside.' It’s a funny way of saying you see the cat's tail as it runs off at sunrise.
Usually, we use dès (starting from), but au potron-minet is also grammatically acceptable and used by some.
Not at all! The origin is forgotten by most, and the word potron doesn't sound like a swear word in modern French.
عبارات مرتبط
Aux aurores (At dawn)
Au saut du lit (Right out of bed)
De bon matin (Early in the morning)
À la première heure (At the first hour/ASAP)
نظرات (0)
برای نظر دادن وارد شویدیادگیری زبانها را رایگان شروع کنید
شروع رایگان یادگیری