Quand les poules auront des dents

Expression: Quand les poules auront des dents

Pronunciation: [ka(n) lay pool (z)o ro(n) day da(n)]

Meaning: When pigs fly

Literal translation: When hens have teeth

Register: normal

Notes: The French expression quand les poules auront des dents is a colorful way of saying "not a chance!" or "it'll never happen!" The equivalent English barnyard expression is "when pigs fly," but there are other possible translations, including "when hell freezes over" and "never in a month of Sundays."

Example:

   -Quand vas-tu venir avec nous à l'opéra ? -Quand les poules auront des dents !
   -When are you going to come with us to the opera? -When pigs fly!

Post your comments about the French expression quand les poules auront des dents on my French blog - just hit "comments" at the bottom of the post.