couper la poire en deux
To leave
字面意思: to cut the pear in two
Use this phrase to suggest a fair compromise and settle a disagreement quickly and amicably.
15秒了解
- To reach a compromise or meet halfway.
- Commonly used in negotiations and daily disagreements.
- Implies a fair, 50/50 split of the difference.
意思
It means to meet someone halfway or find a compromise. Think of it as splitting the difference so everyone walks away happy.
关键例句
3 / 6Haggling at a market
Vous en voulez 20 euros, j'en propose 10. Coupons la poire en deux : 15 euros ?
You want 20 euros, I offer 10. Let's split the difference: 15 euros?
Deciding on a meeting time
Tu veux partir à 8h, je veux partir à 9h. On coupe la poire en deux et on dit 8h30 ?
You want to leave at 8, I want to leave at 9. Shall we meet halfway and say 8:30?
Professional salary negotiation
Pour clore cette discussion, nous pourrions couper la poire en deux sur le bonus.
To close this discussion, we could meet halfway on the bonus.
文化背景
This idiom became widely popular in the mid-1800s in France. It reflects a pragmatic, bourgeois approach to conflict resolution where social harmony is valued over winning every argument. In French political history, it is often used to describe centrist policies that try to please both the left and the right.
The 50/50 Rule
Only use this when you are actually suggesting a roughly equal split. If you want 80% and offer 20%, saying this will sound sarcastic!
Don't Change the Fruit
Even though apples are more common in some cultures, saying `couper la pomme en deux` will just confuse French people.
15秒了解
- To reach a compromise or meet halfway.
- Commonly used in negotiations and daily disagreements.
- Implies a fair, 50/50 split of the difference.
What It Means
Imagine you and a friend are arguing over the last slice of cake. You both want it. To couper la poire en deux means you simply slice it down the middle. It is the classic art of compromise. You aren't getting everything you wanted. However, you aren't walking away empty-handed either. It is about fairness and finding a middle ground.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you are stuck in a negotiation. It acts as a verbal olive branch. You can use it as a suggestion: Et si on coupait la poire en deux ? This translates to 'What if we split the difference?' It is a very active phrase. You are proposing a solution to end a stalemate. It works perfectly for prices, time slots, or chores.
When To Use It
Use it at a flea market when haggling over an antique lamp. Use it with your partner when deciding which movie to watch. It is great in professional meetings to settle on a deadline. If you are texting a friend about where to meet, this phrase saves time. It shows you are reasonable and willing to cooperate. It is the ultimate 'peace-maker' expression in French.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for serious moral dilemmas. You wouldn't 'split the pear' on something illegal or deeply unethical. Avoid it in very rigid, high-stakes legal contracts where precision is everything. Also, don't use it if one side is clearly right. Splitting the difference when someone owes you 100 euros and offers 10 is just bad math. It implies a 50/50 split, so don't use it for 70/30 splits.
Cultural Background
France has a long history of debate and intellectual sparring. However, the French also value the 'juste milieu' or the happy medium. The pear has been a common fruit in French orchards for centuries. While the exact origin is debated, it became popular in the 19th century. It reflects a rural, common-sense approach to solving problems. It suggests that a simple, physical action can solve a complex verbal argument.
Common Variations
You might hear faire la part des choses. This is more about being analytical. You could also hear trouver un terrain d'entente. That means finding common ground. However, couper la poire en deux remains the most visual and common way to say 'let's compromise'. It is punchy, clear, and very French.
使用说明
The phrase is very versatile and fits almost any social situation. It is grammatically simple as it follows standard verb conjugation for `couper`.
The 50/50 Rule
Only use this when you are actually suggesting a roughly equal split. If you want 80% and offer 20%, saying this will sound sarcastic!
Don't Change the Fruit
Even though apples are more common in some cultures, saying `couper la pomme en deux` will just confuse French people.
The Political Pear
In France, King Louis-Philippe was famously caricatured as a pear. While not directly related to the idiom, the pear has a funny, slightly mocking place in French political history.
例句
6Vous en voulez 20 euros, j'en propose 10. Coupons la poire en deux : 15 euros ?
You want 20 euros, I offer 10. Let's split the difference: 15 euros?
A classic use for price negotiations.
Tu veux partir à 8h, je veux partir à 9h. On coupe la poire en deux et on dit 8h30 ?
You want to leave at 8, I want to leave at 9. Shall we meet halfway and say 8:30?
Used to settle a minor scheduling conflict.
Pour clore cette discussion, nous pourrions couper la poire en deux sur le bonus.
To close this discussion, we could meet halfway on the bonus.
Shows a willingness to be flexible in a business setting.
Je fais la cuisine, tu fais la vaisselle ? On coupe la poire en deux !
I cook, you do the dishes? We'll split the work!
Informal way to divide responsibilities.
Moitié ananas, moitié pepperoni ? On coupe la poire en deux, même si c'est un crime !
Half pineapple, half pepperoni? We'll compromise, even if it's a crime!
Using a serious idiom for a silly argument.
Je sais que vous êtes fâchés, mais essayez de couper la poire en deux pour Noël.
I know you're angry, but try to find a middle ground for Christmas.
Used to encourage reconciliation.
自我测试
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
Pour arrêter de nous disputer, nous devrions ___ la poire en deux.
The idiom specifically uses the verb 'couper' (to cut).
Complete the phrase in a negotiation context.
On n'arrive pas à se mettre d'accord. Et si on coupait la ___ en deux ?
The fruit used in this French idiom is 'poire' (pear).
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of 'Couper la poire en deux'
Used with friends and family.
Allez, on coupe la poire en deux !
Perfect for work and daily life.
Il est temps de couper la poire en deux.
Understood, but more elegant phrases exist.
Je suggère que nous coupions la poire en deux.
When to Split the Pear
Flea Market
Haggling over a price
Office
Setting a project deadline
Home
Dividing household chores
Restaurant
Splitting the bill
常见问题
10 个问题It means to find a compromise or meet someone halfway. It is used when two people have different opinions or demands and decide to settle on a middle ground.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss in a meeting like Nous devrions couper la poire en deux or with a friend while shopping.
Yes, it is very common in financial negotiations. For example: On coupe la poire en deux pour le prix ?
Idioms are often arbitrary! In French, the pear is the traditional fruit for this expression, possibly because of its shape or historical abundance.
Usually, yes. The 'en deux' (in two) implies an equal division of the difference between two positions.
Absolutely. It's a healthy way to resolve small arguments, like On coupe la poire en deux : on va au ciné ce soir et au resto demain ?
Not exactly a slang version, but you might hear faire moitié-moitié which is a more basic way to say 'go halves'.
Using the wrong verb. People sometimes say partager (to share) instead of couper (to cut). Stick to couper!
Yes, it's common in journalism and casual emails. It's less common in very formal academic essays.
Not at all. It is a timeless idiom that French people of all ages use daily.
相关表达
Faire un compromis (To make a compromise)
Trouver un terrain d'entente (To find common ground)
Faire la part des choses (To put things in perspective)
Mettre de l'eau dans son vin (To tone it down / compromise)
Faire moitié-moitié (To go fifty-fifty)
评论 (0)
登录后评论免费开始学习语言
免费开始学习