“Merci, mon ange!” – A French Faux Pas Worth Laughing About

Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a few days in Le Touquet Paris-Plage with my family. It’s a charming seaside town in northern France, and my French—while far from perfect—usually gets me by. I can hold a conversation with my French-speaking in-laws, and I can almost always follow what’s going on.

So, when I asked the hotel staff for an off-menu item and they kindly brought it to me, I responded with what felt like a perfectly polite and appreciative phrase:

“Ah merci, mon ange!”
(“Ah thank you, my angel!”)

To my surprise, my in-laws burst out laughing.

Wait… What Did I Just Say?

In English, we often use affectionate terms like “love,” “darling,” or even “angel” in casual, friendly ways. “Thanks, love” might be something you’d say to a barista or a helpful stranger. But in French? Not quite the same.

“Mon ange” is a term of endearment typically reserved for romantic partners or very close loved ones. Saying it to a hotel staff member? Let’s just say it’s a bit too warm.

The Joy of Getting It Slightly Wrong

As an English tutor and business English trainer, I often remind my students that language is more than just words—it’s culture, tone, and context. This little moment was a perfect reminder of that.

It also reminded me of something I tell my learners all the time:

Mistakes are not failures—they’re stories.

And this one? It’s a keeper.

What We Can Learn from “Mon Ange” Moments

  1. Literal translations can be misleading.
    Just because something works in your native language doesn’t mean it carries over.
  2. Colloquialisms are cultural.
    “Love” in London ≠ “mon ange” in Le Touquet.
  3. Humour is a great teacher.
    If you can laugh at your mistakes, you’re already winning.

Final Thought

Language learning is a journey full of surprises, and sometimes the best lessons come wrapped in laughter. So next time you’re tempted to sprinkle in a sweet-sounding phrase in another language, maybe double-check—or just go for it and enjoy the ride.

Thanks for reading.
Keep learning, keep growing—your communication is your edge.

And may your emails be clear, your meetings short, and your confidence high.

— Stuart @ Naturally English