Spring in French: Expressions That Bring the Season to Life

Spring is finally here! The days are getting longer, flowers are blooming, and—if you’re like me—you’re probably sneezing because of the pollen. But despite the occasional allergy attack, I love this season. It’s the perfect time to step outside, take a stroll in the garden with my kids, or get my hands dirty planting new flowers. And of course, it’s also the season of… cleaning. Yep, every spring, I go on a mission to declutter, especially sorting out the kids’ clothes that have mysteriously shrunk over winter.

French, like every language, has some great expressions tied to the season. Here are a few that make me smile (or groan, depending on the weather!).

1. Les giboulées de mars – April Showers (a.k.a. the sky’s mood swings)

One minute it’s sunny, the next, it’s raining sideways. Les giboulées de mars describe those sudden downpours that come out of nowhere in early spring—sometimes even with a bit of hail just to keep things interesting. Perfect for keeping my kids entertained with an impromptu game of "run for cover!"

2. Faire son grand ménage de printemps – The Ultimate Spring Cleaning

This one is very real for me. Faire son grand ménage de printemps isn’t just about dusting—it’s a full-blown mission to refresh the house. Windows wide open, deep-cleaning every corner, and, my personal favorite (not really): sorting out the mountain of too-small clothes that somehow accumulated over winter. If only spring cleaning came with a magic wand…

3. Être frais comme un gardon – Fresh as a Dace (or just well-rested for once)

Spring is all about renewal, and this expression is used for people who look fresh, energetic, and full of life—kind of like when I finally get a full night’s sleep (which, let’s be honest, is rare). It literally means fresh as a dace, a little fish that’s apparently always in top form. I wouldn’t know, but I’ll take the compliment!

4. Semer la zizanie – Planting Drama, Not Flowers

This expression isn’t as peaceful as it sounds. Semer la zizanie literally means to sow discord, as if you were planting trouble instead of tulips. If someone stirs up conflict in a group—whether it’s through gossip or just causing chaos for fun—they’re definitely a zizanie farmer.

5. Être une fleur bleue – A Hopeless Romantic (or Just Extra Sentimental)

Spring is the season of love, and in French, being une fleur bleue means being overly sentimental, dreamy, or hopelessly romantic. It comes from old literature where a blue flower symbolized pure and poetic love. I like to think of it as the feeling I get when I see my kids picking their first spring flowers for me (before they immediately trample them).

Ready to Bring Spring to Your French?

Spring isn’t just a season—it’s a fresh start! If you’d like to boost your French this season, why not book an online lesson with me? And for expatriates living near Dijon, Beaune, or Auxonne, I’m launching a special social program for my in-person students: guided tours, farm visits (hello, baby goats and delicious goat cheese!), and more opportunities to practice French while enjoying the beauty of spring.

Interested? Let’s chat! Send me a message to book your spot.