être un vrai moulin à paroles
To hit the target
Literalmente: To be a true mill of words
Use this to playfully describe a chatterbox who simply cannot stop talking in social settings.
Em 15 segundos
- Used to describe someone who talks non-stop.
- Compares a person's mouth to a spinning mill.
- Generally lighthearted but can be slightly annoying.
Significado
This phrase describes someone who talks constantly and never seems to run out of things to say. It is the French way of calling someone a chatterbox or a motor-mouth.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 7Describing a chatty niece
Ma nièce est un vrai moulin à paroles depuis qu'elle a appris à marcher.
My niece has been a real chatterbox since she learned to walk.
Apologizing for talking too much
Désolée, je suis un vrai moulin à paroles ce soir, c'est le café !
Sorry, I'm a total motor-mouth tonight, it's the coffee!
Discussing a colleague with a friend
Il est sympa, mais c'est un vrai moulin à paroles en réunion.
He's nice, but he's a real chatterbox in meetings.
Contexto cultural
The expression evokes the image of a grain mill that clatters and grinds without end. In French culture, where 'la tchatche' (the gift of gab) is often admired, being a chatterbox is a common personality trait celebrated in literature and film. It became widely popular in the 19th century as industrial metaphors entered common speech.
Grammar Hack
Don't change 'moulin' to 'mouline' for women! The noun stays masculine regardless of who you are talking about.
Watch the Tone
Depending on your voice, this can be a compliment or a complaint. Smile when you say it to keep it friendly!
Em 15 segundos
- Used to describe someone who talks non-stop.
- Compares a person's mouth to a spinning mill.
- Generally lighthearted but can be slightly annoying.
What It Means
Imagine an old-fashioned water mill spinning without stop. That is exactly what this phrase paints. It describes a person who talks incessantly. They jump from one topic to another. There are no pauses for breath. It is not necessarily mean. It just means they are very talkative. You use it for that friend who never stops.
How To Use It
You use it as a predicate. You can say il est or elle est. Add un vrai to emphasize the scale. It works like a noun phrase. You can use it to describe yourself too. It is a very common idiomatic expression. It flows naturally in spoken French. Just remember to match the gender of the subject.
When To Use It
Use it when someone is being particularly chatty. It fits perfectly at a dinner party. Use it when describing a child's energy. It works well when catching up with friends. You might use it at a café. It is great for lighthearted gossip. Use it when you are the one talking too much. It helps break the ice if you feel chatty.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in a high-stakes job interview. It might sound a bit too casual. Do not use it during a solemn funeral. It is too light for very sad moments. Be careful using it with your boss. Unless you have a very close relationship. It can sound slightly dismissive if used coldly. Never use it to describe a silent person. That would just be confusing humor.
Cultural Background
French culture deeply values the art of conversation. Long meals are the heart of French life. Being a moulin à paroles is often seen with affection. It implies a certain social energy and warmth. The 'mill' metaphor dates back centuries. It refers to the constant clatter of machinery. It captures the rhythmic, unstoppable nature of speech. It is a classic piece of French imagery.
Common Variations
You might hear une vraie pie borgne. This means 'a real one-eyed magpie'. It is an older, more colorful version. Some people just say il n'arrête pas. You can also say il a la langue bien pendue. This means 'he has a well-hung tongue'. But the 'mill' remains the most popular choice. It is the gold standard for chatterboxes.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral-to-informal idiom. It is widely understood across all French-speaking regions and is safe for daily conversation, though it should be avoided in strictly professional or solemn documents.
Grammar Hack
Don't change 'moulin' to 'mouline' for women! The noun stays masculine regardless of who you are talking about.
Watch the Tone
Depending on your voice, this can be a compliment or a complaint. Smile when you say it to keep it friendly!
The Silent Mill
If you want to say the opposite (someone who doesn't talk), French people often say 'C'est une tombe' (He/She is a grave).
Exemplos
7Ma nièce est un vrai moulin à paroles depuis qu'elle a appris à marcher.
My niece has been a real chatterbox since she learned to walk.
Shows the phrase used for children in a sweet way.
Désolée, je suis un vrai moulin à paroles ce soir, c'est le café !
Sorry, I'm a total motor-mouth tonight, it's the coffee!
A great way to self-deprecate and keep the mood light.
Il est sympa, mais c'est un vrai moulin à paroles en réunion.
He's nice, but he's a real chatterbox in meetings.
Used to describe a professional habit in a private setting.
Regarde Julie, quel moulin à paroles ! Elle n'a pas laissé parler Marc une seule fois.
Look at Julie, what a chatterbox! She hasn't let Marc speak once.
Highlights the 'unstoppable' nature of the person.
Je viens de raccrocher avec Paul. Quel moulin à paroles celui-là !
Just got off the phone with Paul. What a motor-mouth that guy is!
Perfect for informal texting after a social interaction.
Le protagoniste est décrit comme un véritable moulin à paroles.
The protagonist is described as a true chatterbox.
Shows how the phrase can be used descriptively in writing.
J'adore ma grand-mère, mais c'est un vrai moulin à paroles, je suis épuisé.
I love my grandmother, but she's a real chatterbox, I'm exhausted.
Conveys the tiring aspect of constant talking.
Teste-se
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom.
Tais-toi un peu, tu es un vrai moulin à ___ !
The fixed idiom is `moulin à paroles`. While 'mots' means words, it is not used in this specific expression.
Identify the correct gender agreement for a female subject.
Elle est ___ moulin à paroles.
Even if the person is female, `moulin` is masculine, so we say `un vrai moulin à paroles`.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality Level of 'Moulin à paroles'
Too mild for heavy slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family.
Tu es un vrai moulin à paroles !
Safe for most social situations.
C'est un moulin à paroles.
A bit too colorful for strict business.
N/A
Where to use 'Moulin à paroles'
Family Dinner
Describing a chatty cousin.
Coffee with Friends
Joking about your own talkativeness.
School
Teachers describing a student.
Texting
Complaining about a long call.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot inherently. It is usually used playfully among friends, like calling someone a 'chatterbox' in English.
Yes, it works for both. Just say Il est un vrai moulin à paroles or Elle est un vrai moulin à paroles.
It means 'a real' or 'a total'. It emphasizes that the person really never stops talking.
You could use the adjective loquace (loquacious) or volubile (voluble) in formal writing.
Only with colleagues you know well. In a formal report, it would be too idiomatic and informal.
Yes, the image is of a mill (water or wind) that keeps turning and making noise as long as there is energy.
The plural is des moulins à paroles. For example: Mes enfants sont des vrais moulins à paroles.
It can, but it often just means they are very social and energetic. Context and tone are key.
Absolutely! It's a common way to apologize for talking too much: Je suis un vrai moulin à paroles aujourd'hui.
Yes, entrer comme dans un moulin means to enter a place easily as if it were open to everyone.
Frases relacionadas
Avoir la langue bien pendue
Bavarder comme une pie
Être une pipelette
Parler à tort et à travers
Tenir la jambe à quelqu'un
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