sur la père
sur the father
직역: on the father
Use it only with close friends to prove you aren't lying about something shocking.
15초 만에
- A serious oath swearing on your father's honor.
- Used to prove you are telling the truth.
- Very informal slang common in youth culture.
뜻
A heavy-duty way to say 'I swear on my father's life' to prove you are telling the absolute truth. It is the ultimate 'cross my heart and hope to die' for French speakers.
주요 예문
3 / 6Texting a friend about a surprise
J'ai gagné au loto, sur le père !
I won the lottery, I swear on my father!
Denying a rumor
Je n'ai jamais dit ça, sur le père.
I never said that, I swear on my father.
In a formal meeting (Incorrect usage)
Le rapport est prêt, sur le père.
The report is ready, on the father.
문화적 배경
Swearing on family members is a hallmark of 'Argot' (French slang) and street culture influenced by North African traditions. It emphasizes the sacred nature of the family bond. While once considered 'low-class,' it is now widely used by French youth across all social backgrounds to show sincerity.
The 'Tête' factor
Most people actually say 'Sur la tête de mon père'. Shortening it to 'Sur le père' makes you sound like a local who is in a hurry.
Don't overdo it
If you swear on your father every five minutes, people will actually start to believe you less. Save it for the big stuff!
15초 만에
- A serious oath swearing on your father's honor.
- Used to prove you are telling the truth.
- Very informal slang common in youth culture.
What It Means
Imagine you are telling a story so wild your friends think you are joking. You need to prove your honesty instantly. In French street culture, you 'swear on the father.' It is a shortened version of Sur la tête de mon père. You are putting your father's honor on the line. It sounds intense because it is! You are saying, 'If I am lying, let my father be the judge.' It is not a casual 'I promise.' It is a deep, personal oath.
How To Use It
You drop this phrase at the end of a sentence for emphasis. It acts like a verbal exclamation point. If someone asks, 'Are you serious?' you respond with Sur le père. Note that while the prompt says la père, in standard French, it is le père. However, in fast street slang or specific dialects, articles often get blurred or swapped. You use it to shut down doubt immediately. It is punchy, quick, and carries a lot of weight.
When To Use It
Use this when the stakes are high among friends. Maybe you saw a celebrity at the grocery store. Perhaps you are denying that you ate the last yogurt. It is perfect for texting when a simple 'LOL' or 'I swear' isn't enough. Use it when you need to be taken seriously in a casual setting. It is very common in the suburbs of Paris and among younger generations.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this in a job interview. Your future boss will think you are very unprofessional. Avoid it with elders or people you do not know well. It can come across as aggressive or 'too much' in polite company. If you are at a fancy dinner, stick to Je vous assure. Also, do not use it if you are actually lying. In French culture, swearing on family is a big deal. If you get caught in a lie after saying this, your reputation is toasted.
Cultural Background
This expression is deeply rooted in Mediterranean and North African influences on French culture. In these cultures, family honor is everything. Swearing on a parent's head or life is the highest form of a promise. It became mainstream through French rap music and 'banlieue' (suburb) cinema. It reflects a society where loyalty to the family unit is the strongest bond you can have. It is more than just words; it is a cultural signature of 'verlan' and street talk.
Common Variations
The most famous version is Sur la tête de ma mère (On my mother's head). You might also hear La vie de mon père (The life of my father). If someone is really serious, they might say Sur le Coran (On the Quran) or Sur la Bible. If you want to keep it simple, just say Je te jure (I swear to you). Each variation adds a slightly different level of intensity to your promise.
사용 참고사항
This is a high-intensity slang expression. Use it sparingly to maintain its power. Avoid in any professional or academic context where 'le langage soutenu' (formal language) is expected.
The 'Tête' factor
Most people actually say 'Sur la tête de mon père'. Shortening it to 'Sur le père' makes you sound like a local who is in a hurry.
Don't overdo it
If you swear on your father every five minutes, people will actually start to believe you less. Save it for the big stuff!
The Gender Flip
In very informal slang, you might hear 'sur la père' or 'la vie de ma mère'. Don't let the grammar confuse you; it's all about the rhythm of the street.
예시
6J'ai gagné au loto, sur le père !
I won the lottery, I swear on my father!
Used here to add shock value and credibility to a wild claim.
Je n'ai jamais dit ça, sur le père.
I never said that, I swear on my father.
A defensive use to clear one's name.
Le rapport est prêt, sur le père.
The report is ready, on the father.
This sounds very out of place and unprofessional in an office.
Mais j'ai déjà payé, sur le père !
But I already paid, I swear on my father!
Adding dramatic flair to a small disagreement.
Je serai là pour toi, sur le père.
I will be there for you, I swear on my father.
Uses the weight of the oath to show deep commitment.
Il y avait un lion dans la rue, sur le père !
There was a lion in the street, I swear on my father!
Used to validate an unbelievable observation.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct phrase to prove you are telling the truth to a close friend.
C'est vrai, je l'ai vu de mes propres yeux, ___ !
`Sur le père` is an oath of truth, whereas the others are for politeness or introductions.
Which phrase is the most common variation of this oath?
Sur la tête de ___.
Swearing on one's mother's head is the most frequent variation of this expression.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality Level of 'Sur le père'
Street talk and close friends.
Sur le père, c'est vrai !
Casual conversation, but maybe too much.
Je te jure.
Professional or respectful settings.
Je vous assure.
When to use 'Sur le père'
With siblings
I didn't break your phone!
Texting friends
You won't believe who I saw.
Playful betting
I bet you 10 euros, I swear.
Heated debates
I am telling the truth!
자주 묻는 질문
12 질문Technically no, because père is masculine and should use le. However, in slang, grammar rules are often bent for speed or style.
It is similar to saying 'I swear on my father's grave' or 'Cross my heart and hope to die.'
Only if you have a very close, joking relationship. Otherwise, it is too informal and might seem disrespectful.
It comes from honor-based cultures where your family's reputation is your most valuable asset.
Not necessarily, though it shares the same 'weight' as a religious oath like Sur le Coran.
In a social sense, it's a huge betrayal of trust. Your friends will likely never believe your oaths again.
Yes! Sur la tête de ma mère is actually even more common than the version for fathers.
Quite the opposite! It is very modern and popular among Gen Z and Millennials in France.
It is most common in big cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon where 'banlieue' culture is strong.
Absolutely. It is often used in texts to add emphasis to a shocking piece of news.
It's not 'vulgar' (no bad words), but it is 'low register.' It's like wearing a tracksuit to a wedding—fine in some places, wrong in others.
If you want to be serious but polite, just say Je vous jure or Je vous assure.
관련 표현
Sur la tête de ma mère
La vie de ma mère
Je te jure
Parole d'honneur
C'est du sérieux
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