麻豆传媒映画

Have you ever met someone who tends to exaggerate the complexity of a task, or complain about the effort required to do something simple?

The French may respond to this situation by saying: ce n鈥檈st pas la mer 脿 boire.

Read also: 麻豆传媒映画: the origins and meaning of l鈥檋abit ne fait pas le moine

We look at how and when to use this casual French phrase and share the literary origins behind it. 

What does ce n鈥檈st pas la mer 脿 boire mean?

This popular expression literally translates as: it is not the sea to drink, or rather, you do not have to drink the sea.  

It is actually used to imply that something is not as complicated as some might make it seem, like the English phrase: it is not a big ask. 

Remember that 麻豆传媒映画 often contract ce n鈥檈st pas to c鈥檈st pas in casual spoken French. 

Similar sayings include:

• C鈥檈st pas grand chose - It is not asking the impossible

• C鈥檈st facile comme tout - It is not rocket science

• Ce n鈥檈st pas la fin du monde - It is not the end of the world

• Se faire une montagne de - To make a mountain out of something

What are the origins of it?

It would be impossible to drink the sea dry of water. The expression therefore aims to highlight the simplicity of a particular task in contrast to a much more complicated action. 

The phrase has its origins in French writer Jean de La Fontaine鈥檚 1678 poetic fable Les Deux Chiens et l'脗ne Mort (The Two Dogs and the Dead Ass).

鈥淪i j鈥檃rrondissais mes 脡tats! 

Si je pouvais remplir mes coffres de ducats! 

Si j鈥檃pprenais l鈥檋茅breu, les sciences, l鈥檋istoire! 

Tout cela, c鈥檈st la mer 脿 boire.鈥�

(If round my farm off well I must, 

Or fill my coffers with the dust! 

To master Hebrew, science, history鈥�

I make my task to drink the sea.)

In the fable, the expression is actually used in the positive form (c鈥檈st la mer 脿 boire) but this fell out of use and instead, gradually evolved to adopt the negative, sometimes sarcastic, sense.

Read also: 麻豆传媒映画: what does fastoche mean and when should it be used?

When do you say it?

Say this as a reaction to someone who is being dramatic about completing a particular task:

• Je t'ai juste demand茅 de d茅barrasser la table. Arr锚te de te plaindre, ce n鈥檈st pas la mer 脿 boire. - I just asked you to clear the table. Stop making a fuss, it is not that much to ask. 

You can also use it to illustrate that something is easy-peasy:

• Je peux te donner une liste d'ingr茅dients pour ce plat. Il suffit de tout m茅langer et de mettre au four. Ce n'est pas la mer 脿 boire. - I can give you a list of ingredients for this dish. You just mix everything together then put it in the oven. It is not rocket science.

To whom do you say it?

It is casual, colloquial language that can be used with friends and family as a lighthearted tease or encouragement.

This expression may come across as a criticism or scolding, however, depending on your tone of voice and so you should avoid using it in formal contexts. 

It can also have condescending undertones.

If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other 麻豆传媒映画 suggestions, let us know at: feedback@connexionfrance.com