What are the meanings of the French Idiom "La Lune de Miel"?
The French expression "la lune de miel" is a sweet one (pun intended). "Le miel" means honey in French, so the literal translation is moon of honey.
Originally, this expression refers to the lunar month which follows a wedding, time when the newlyweds are crazy in love, and all is perfect and sweet, just like honey.
La lune de miel = le voyage de noces = honeymoon
Just like in English, this expression is used to describe the honeymoon trip.
In French, the typical expression for this trip is "le voyage de noces" = the trip of wedding, "les noces" being an older French term to say "le mariage" - the marriage (note, one R in French though), the wedding.
Ils ont passé leur lune de miel à Paris : comme c'est romantique !
They spent their honeymoon in Paris: how romantic!
We usually use partir (to leave) or passer (to spend) with this expression.
Tu es partie où en lune de miel ?
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Où avez-vous passé votre lune de miel ?
Where did you spend your honeymoon ?
As far as I know, we don't have a word for honeymooners. We'd say: "les gens qui vont en voyage de noces" - people that go on a honeymoon.
La lune de miel = best moment of a relationship
Figuratively, "la lune de miel" refers to the high point of a relationship, and often implies that things went downhill after that.
Moi qui pensais aimer mon nouveau boulot.... Je me suis disputée avec ma collègue hier. Finie la lune de miel !
Me who thought I liked my new job...
I had an argument with my coworker yesterday. The honeymoon is over.
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