Home > French Words > French Idioms > YOU ARE HERE
We are going to show you everything you ever wanted to know about the basic French idiom “Rien à cirer”.
It includes a full definition of what it is and how to use it in everyday life with an audio example. Not to mention the cool informations we sprinkled like slow pronunciation audio, synonyms, dialogue example and more!
In addition, you will find our others idioms pages on this page plus the ultimate directory of all our French words content on this page. Wishing you a happy learning!
Slow pronunciation
Normal pronunciation
It’s an informal way to say in French “I don’t care” and it literally means “Nothing to wax“.
It comes from the 15th century. When the sailors had finished waxing the deck of the ship and their superior asked them to get back to work, they replied that they had nothing more to wax. So by extension it became a way to say: “I have nothing to do with that / I don’t care“
Note that it’s informal and you shouldn’t use it in official situations, like with teachers, boss, etc.
Someone is talking a lot to you about a topic you are really not interested in, you can say: “Rien à cirer” (I don’t care). Beware, it’s harsh (obviously…)
Or if someone asks you which is your favorite football team, but you don’t care about football… you can say “J’en ai rien à cirer du foot.” (I don’t care about football)
I sort them from the more “formal” to the more “vulgar“, but it’s not an exact science and can differ widely depending on people, culture, religion, context, etc.
If you liked this page you will certainly love our free Telegram channel where we publish similar content everyday with audio and explanations, but also one new French Text with slow audio and English translation everyday!
Would you like to receive everyday a useful French lesson directly on your phone for free?
It’s free!