"avoir du pain sur la planche"

6 Février 2013 , Rédigé par Olala ! French courses in Chamonix Publié dans #expressions francaises, #compréhension de l'oral

TEXTE DE LA VIDEO ci-dessous ( below)

- salut, ça va....

- écoute, j'ai du pain sur la planche, faut vraiment que j'y aille.

aide/ help :

il faut vraiment que j'y aille : I really have to go.

aille = subjonctif du verbe aller

Il faut que ....( about = it's necessary that ) + subjonctif

Expression: Avoir du pain sur la planche

Pronunciation: [a vwar du peh(n) sur la pla(n)sh]

Meaning: to have a lot to do, have a lot on one's plate, have one's work cut out

Literal translation: to have bread on the (bread)board

The French expression avoir du pain sur la planche is much like "to have a lot on one's plate" in English. I find this equating of food to be eaten and work to be dealt with very interesting, as one doesn't normally think of eating as a chore, especially in France. Cooking maybe, but not eating.

Related expression: Il reste du pain sur la planche - There's still a lot to do, a lot of work to be done

Example

On ne peut pas aller au ciné cet après-midi ; on a du pain sur la planche.

We can't go to the movies this afternoon; we have a lot (of work) to do.