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Métro, boulot, dodo

French expressions analyzed and explained

By Laura K. Lawless, About.com


Expression: Métro, boulot, dodo

Pronunciation: [may tro boo lo do do]

Meaning: same old routine, work work work

Literal translation: subway, work, sleep

Register: informal

Notes: The French expression métro, boulot, dodo is a wonderfully succinct way of saying that you live to work. Métro refers to a subway commute, boulot is an informal word for work, and dodo is baby talk for sleeping. The English equivalents - the rat race, the same old routine, work work work - don't quite capture the same sense of constant movement, and a more literal English translation, "commute, work, sleep," isn't as poetic as the French.
What do you think? Post your comments on my French blog - just hit "comments" at the bottom of the post.

Example:
Depuis ma promotion, c'est métro, boulot, dodo !
Ever since my promotion, it's been nothing but work, work, work!

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