faire la queue
to queue, to stand in line
Literally: to make the tail
Use `faire la queue` whenever you are physically waiting in line for a service or entry.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for waiting in a line of people.
- Literally means 'to make the tail'.
- Essential for shopping, travel, and events.
Meaning
This phrase is what you say when you're standing in a line waiting for your turn. Whether you're at the bakery or waiting for a concert, you're 'making the tail' of the line.
Key Examples
3 of 6At the bakery
Il y a beaucoup de monde, on doit faire la queue.
There are many people, we have to queue.
At a museum entrance
Veuillez faire la queue derrière le cordon rouge.
Please queue behind the red rope.
Texting a friend
Désolé, je fais encore la queue à la poste !
Sorry, I'm still queuing at the post office!
Cultural Background
The French queue is a sacred space, especially at the bakery. While it might look disorganized compared to British lines, there is a strict social order. The phrase 'faire la queue' emerged in the 18th century, comparing the line of people to the tail of an animal.
The 'Queue' vs 'Ligne' trap
Don't say 'faire la ligne'. While 'ligne' means line, it's almost never used for people waiting. Stick to 'queue'!
Pronunciation matters
The word 'queue' is pronounced like the letter 'K' in English. Be careful not to add extra vowel sounds!
In 15 Seconds
- Used for waiting in a line of people.
- Literally means 'to make the tail'.
- Essential for shopping, travel, and events.
What It Means
Imagine you want a fresh croissant. You see five people standing there. You join them. That is faire la queue. It literally means "to make the tail." You are adding yourself to the end of the line. It is a daily reality in France.
How To Use It
You use the verb faire. It is very simple to conjugate. You can say je fais la queue. Or you can say nous faisons la queue. It works just like "to stand in line." You can add the duration too. "I queued for ten minutes" becomes J'ai fait la queue dix minutes. It is a very flexible phrase.
When To Use It
Use it at the supermarket. Use it at the cinema. Use it when waiting for the bus. It is perfect for any public space. If there is a line, use this phrase. Even in a text message, it works perfectly. "I'll be late, I'm queuing" is a common excuse. It fits almost every social situation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for waiting for a friend. That is just attendre. If you are stuck in traffic, do not use it. That is un bouchon or un embouteillage. It is only for people standing or waiting in a sequence. Do not use it for digital loading screens either. That is just "loading."
Cultural Background
The French take their queues seriously. Especially at the boulangerie on Sunday mornings. It is a social ritual. You might hear people grumbling quietly. But nobody cuts the line. The phrase dates back centuries. It refers to the "tail" of a procession. It is a very old, very stable expression.
Common Variations
In Belgium or Quebec, you might hear faire la file. It means the exact same thing. If you are very annoyed, use faire le poireau. This means "to stand like a leek." It implies you have been waiting forever. It is a fun, informal alternative for when you feel ignored.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral, everyday phrase. It is safe to use with friends, strangers, and in professional customer-service contexts. Avoid 'faire la ligne' as it sounds like a direct translation from English.
The 'Queue' vs 'Ligne' trap
Don't say 'faire la ligne'. While 'ligne' means line, it's almost never used for people waiting. Stick to 'queue'!
Pronunciation matters
The word 'queue' is pronounced like the letter 'K' in English. Be careful not to add extra vowel sounds!
The 'Poireau' Secret
If you've been waiting so long you feel like you're growing roots, tell your friend: 'Je fais le poireau!' (I'm doing the leek).
Examples
6Il y a beaucoup de monde, on doit faire la queue.
There are many people, we have to queue.
A very standard observation in daily life.
Veuillez faire la queue derrière le cordon rouge.
Please queue behind the red rope.
Used here as a formal instruction.
Désolé, je fais encore la queue à la poste !
Sorry, I'm still queuing at the post office!
A common excuse for being late.
J'ai fait la queue pendant trois heures pour ce billet !
I queued for three hours for this ticket!
Expressing frustration about the duration.
Même les chiens font la queue pour les biscuits ici.
Even the dogs are queuing for biscuits here.
Personifying animals using the phrase.
On fait la queue ici ou là-bas ?
Do we line up here or over there?
Asking for clarification on where the line starts.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'faire'.
Nous ___ la queue devant le cinéma.
Since the subject is 'Nous', you must use the 'ons' ending of the verb 'faire'.
Choose the correct noun to complete the idiom.
Il déteste faire la ___.
The standard French idiom for queuing is 'faire la queue'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to say 'Wait in line'
To wait a long time (to stand like a leek)
faire le poireau
The standard way to say queue
faire la queue
To wait patiently in line
patienter en file
Where will you 'faire la queue'?
Boulangerie
For your morning baguette
Musée
To see the Mona Lisa
Bus
Waiting for the commute
Caisse
Paying at the supermarket
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, exactly! It comes from the idea that a line of people looks like the tail of an animal. You'll hear faire la queue everywhere in France.
It is neutral, so it's fine. However, in very formal settings, you might hear patienter (to wait patiently). For example: Veuillez patienter.
Yes, you can. If a website makes you wait for tickets, you are dans la file d'attente or you can say you are en train de faire la queue.
Queue is the standard term in France. File is more common in Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec, though both are understood.
Not at all. It is the standard, polite way to describe the action. It is a completely neutral observation.
You say griller la queue or doubler tout le monde. It is considered very rude in French culture!
No, for cars we use être dans les bouchons. Faire la queue is specifically for people or a sequence of items.
Yes, it is always la queue. Even if the line is full of men, the noun gender does not change.
It is a slang variation. It means to wait a long time in one spot, like a leek planted in the ground.
Usually you use à or devant. For example: faire la queue à la banque or faire la queue devant le guichet.
Related Phrases
faire la file
faire le poireau
griller la queue
une file d'attente
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