Oh la vache!
Holy shit!
Language note: Literally 'Oh the cow!', an exclamation of surprise.
Culture note: Less offensive, often said in disbelief or shock.
Context: His roommate, alerted by the noise, asks Pierre what happened.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Oh
[oh]
Oh
An exclamatory word often used to express surprise or emphasis.
Oh, la surprise que j'ai eue!
Oh, what a surprise I had!
la
[la]
the
A definite article used to specify something that is already known.
Regarde la voiture!
Look at the car!
vache
[vahsh]
cow
A farm animal known for producing milk, often used metaphorically in French to express shock or disbelief.
Quand j'ai vu la note, j'ai dit: Oh la vache!
When I saw the bill, I said: Oh my god!
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