vouloir le beurre et l'argent du beurre
To do things backwards
直訳: To want the butter and the money from the butter
Use this when someone wants the rewards of a choice without accepting the necessary sacrifices.
15秒でわかる
- Wanting all the gains with none of the pains.
- The French version of 'having your cake and eating it'.
- Used to call out someone being greedy or unrealistic.
意味
It describes someone who wants all the benefits of a situation without any of the costs or drawbacks. It is like wanting to keep your money while also spending it on something delicious.
主な例文
3 / 6Talking to a friend who wants a tan but hates the sun
Tu veux bronzer mais tu refuses d'aller dehors ? Tu veux le beurre et l'argent du beurre !
You want a tan but refuse to go outside? You want your cake and to eat it too!
Discussing a difficult work-life balance choice
Il veut un gros salaire sans les responsabilités, c'est vouloir le beurre et l'argent du beurre.
He wants a big salary without the responsibilities; that's wanting it both ways.
Texting a sibling about a shared expense
Tu ne peux pas utiliser ma voiture tout le week-end sans payer l'essence. On ne peut pas avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre !
You can't use my car all weekend without paying for gas. You can't have it both ways!
文化的背景
This idiom dates back to the 19th century and reflects the rural, agricultural roots of French society. Butter was a precious commodity, and the 'crémière' (dairymaid) was a central figure in village commerce. The phrase remains one of the most popular idioms in France today, used by everyone from grandmothers to politicians.
The 'Crémière' Add-on
If you want to sound like a true local in a very casual setting, add '...et le sourire de la crémière' (and the dairymaid's smile). It adds an extra layer of 'you're asking for too much!'
Don't be too literal
Never use this if you are actually buying butter at a shop. The merchant might think you are complaining about the price!
15秒でわかる
- Wanting all the gains with none of the pains.
- The French version of 'having your cake and eating it'.
- Used to call out someone being greedy or unrealistic.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a local French market. You see a beautiful block of fresh, salty butter. You want that butter. But you also want to keep the five euros in your pocket. In life, we usually have to choose one or the other. When you say someone wants le beurre et l'argent du beurre, you are calling them out for being greedy or unrealistic. You are saying they want the prize and the price tag to stay at zero. It is the perfect French way to describe someone who refuses to compromise.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb phrase. You can conjugate vouloir (to want) to fit your subject. For example, Tu veux le beurre et l'argent du beurre ! (You want it all!). It is often used with the conjunction et to emphasize the absurdity. Sometimes, people add a cheeky third part to the phrase involving the dairymaid, but let's stick to the basics first. Just drop it into a conversation when someone is being a bit too demanding.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend wants a high-paying job but refuses to work more than twenty hours a week. Use it when your partner wants a big dog but refuses to go for walks in the rain. It is perfect for those moments of mild frustration. It works great in casual debates or when discussing politics at a cafe. It is a classic way to point out a lack of logic in someone's desires.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in a very formal business negotiation with a superior. It can sound a bit accusatory or mocking. Do not use it for serious tragedies or genuine needs. If someone is struggling to survive, this phrase is too lighthearted and cynical. It is meant for desires and luxuries, not for basic human rights or necessities. Keep it for the 'first-world problems' of life.
Cultural Background
France has a deep historical connection to its land and dairy products. Butter was once a primary sign of wealth and comfort in rural areas. Selling butter was a main source of income for farmers. If you sold the butter, you had the money but no butter for your bread. If you kept the butter, you were broke. The phrase captures the heart of French pragmatism. It reminds everyone that life is a series of trade-offs.
Common Variations
You might hear the extended, slightly vulgar version: vouloir le beurre, l'argent du beurre et le cul de la crémière. This translates to wanting the butter, the money, and the dairymaid's backside. It is much more informal and quite cheeky. Another variation is simply saying On ne peut pas avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre. This is the equivalent of saying 'You can't have it both ways.'
使い方のコツ
The phrase is largely informal to neutral. It is highly idiomatic and very common in spoken French. Avoid the 'crémière' addition in polite company.
The 'Crémière' Add-on
If you want to sound like a true local in a very casual setting, add '...et le sourire de la crémière' (and the dairymaid's smile). It adds an extra layer of 'you're asking for too much!'
Don't be too literal
Never use this if you are actually buying butter at a shop. The merchant might think you are complaining about the price!
The French Love for Butter
Butter is sacred in French cooking (especially in Brittany). This phrase carries weight because giving up butter is a genuine sacrifice for a French person.
例文
6Tu veux bronzer mais tu refuses d'aller dehors ? Tu veux le beurre et l'argent du beurre !
You want a tan but refuse to go outside? You want your cake and to eat it too!
Highlights the contradiction in the friend's logic.
Il veut un gros salaire sans les responsabilités, c'est vouloir le beurre et l'argent du beurre.
He wants a big salary without the responsibilities; that's wanting it both ways.
Used to describe a third party's unrealistic expectations.
Tu ne peux pas utiliser ma voiture tout le week-end sans payer l'essence. On ne peut pas avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre !
You can't use my car all weekend without paying for gas. You can't have it both ways!
A classic sibling argument over fairness.
Mon chat veut sortir mais il ne veut pas qu'on ouvre la porte. Il veut le beurre et l'argent du beurre.
My cat wants to go out but doesn't want the door opened. He wants it all.
Applying the idiom to a funny, relatable pet behavior.
Le gouvernement promet des baisses d'impôts et plus de services publics. C'est vouloir le beurre et l'argent du beurre.
The government promises tax cuts and more public services. It's wanting to have it both ways.
A common cynical take on political promises.
Je sais que je ne peux pas avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre, mais j'aimerais voyager sans dépenser un sou.
I know I can't have my cake and eat it too, but I'd love to travel without spending a cent.
Self-aware use of the phrase to express a dream.
自分をテスト
Complete the sentence to tell your friend they are being unrealistic.
Tu veux une grande maison en plein centre-ville pour un petit prix ? Tu veux le beurre et ___ !
The standard phrase is 'le beurre et l'argent du beurre'.
Choose the correct verb to start the idiom.
On ne peut pas ___ le beurre et l'argent du beurre.
While 'vouloir' is the most common, 'avoir' is used when saying you 'cannot have' both.
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When to use 'Le Beurre et l'Argent du Beurre'
Using the 'crémière' variation with close friends.
...et le cul de la crémière !
Standard version with friends or family.
Tu veux le beurre et l'argent du beurre.
In a workplace discussion about project scope.
On ne peut pas avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre.
Generally avoided; use 'compromis' instead.
Il faut faire un choix.
Common Scenarios
Budgeting
Wanting luxury items on a tiny budget.
Relationships
Wanting freedom but also total commitment.
Dieting
Wanting to lose weight while eating pizza daily.
Real Estate
Wanting a quiet garden in a noisy city center.
よくある質問
10 問Yes, exactly! Both phrases describe the impossible desire to keep a resource while also consuming or spending it.
It can be. It's a way of calling someone greedy or illogical, so use it with friends or in a joking way rather than with your boss.
It's better to avoid it. Use more professional terms like faire un compromis (to make a compromise) or gérer les attentes (to manage expectations).
The full version is vouloir le beurre, l'argent du beurre et le cul de la crémière. It's very informal and a bit vulgar, so be careful who you say it to!
You conjugate the verb vouloir. For example: Ils veulent le beurre... or Nous voulions le beurre....
People often just say C'est le beurre et l'argent du beurre to describe a situation that is too good to be true or an impossible demand.
Not at all. It is used daily in France, in newspapers, on TV, and in casual conversation.
Yes, avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre is common, especially when saying it's impossible: On ne peut pas avoir....
Mixing up the order. It's always the butter first, then the money from the butter. L'argent du beurre et le beurre sounds wrong to a native ear.
The phrase is standard across France, though some regions might add their own local twist to the 'third' item people want.
関連フレーズ
On ne peut pas être au four et au moulin
You can't be in two places at once.
Ménager la chèvre et le chou
To try to please two opposing sides (to sit on the fence).
C'est trop beau pour être vrai
It's too good to be true.
Vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué
To count your chickens before they hatch.
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