Appeler un chat un chat

[ashishsri21293]

Appeler un chat un chat literally translates to calling a cat a cat. It’s the equivalent of telling it like it is, or calling a spade a spade in English. When you call a spade a spade, you simply see the ugly truth, and put it very bluntly. Here’s an example:

“Attends, tu veux vraiment dire qu’il est stupide?!”

“Écoute, il faut appeler un chat un chat.”

“Wait, do you actually think he’s stupid?!”

“Listen, I’m just telling it like it is.”

[JeanneGamache]

meow

[HelenCalde]

I think I have a new favorite French phrase.

[ashishsri21293]

lol

[ErisBrigedon]

Oui! Moi aussi, HelenCalde!

[KatL.12]

c'est hilarant!

[ShannonLup]

J'ADORE LES CHATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[deactivated user]

Je suis daccord

[Arial3508]

c'est amusant

[SMD1965]

I love this, I love learning new idiomatic phrases in foreign languages. However, what I don't think you should ever do is call un chat une chatte, or un chien une chienne. I used to live and work in France, and the feminine versions are not polite! Une chienne translates as a b*tch (insult) and une chatte is the female sex organ. If I am wrong, please can someone tell me. Thanks.