Text conversation
Planning a surprise party in a French group chat
Six friends, one birthday, zero leaks. Follow a French group chat organising a surprise party: who brings what, the cagnotte, and keeping it secret.
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In short
Group-chat French is quick and full of short forms: qui ramène quoi ? (who's bringing what?), on fait une cagnotte (we'll collect money online), motus et bouche cousue (not a word!). The future and the near future carry the plan: Léa l'occupera jusqu'à 20 h.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learnRed watch out
- Ok, on fait ça samedi 20 h chez moi. Léa, tu peux l'occuper jusque-là ?OK, Saturday 8 pm at my place. Léa, can you keep her busy until then?
- Je propose une cagnotte pour le cadeau, 15 € chacun ?I suggest a whip-round for the present, €15 each?
- Carrément ! Et qui ramène quoi ?Absolutely! And who's bringing what?
Volunteer for something
- Top. Attention, Julie regarde parfois mon téléphone 😬Great. Careful, Julie sometimes looks at my phone.
Remind everyone to keep the secret
- MDR parfait. J'ai créé la cagnotte, le lien est épinglé 📌LOL perfect. I've created the whip-round, the link is pinned.
Phrases from the conversation
| French | English |
|---|---|
| une cagnotte (en ligne) | an (online) whip-round |
| Qui ramène quoi ? | Who's bringing what? |
| occuper quelqu'un | to keep someone busy |
| Motus et bouche cousue ! | Not a word to anyone! |
| Carrément ! | Totally! / Absolutely! |
| MDR (mort de rire) | LOL |
Online cagnottes are a standard way for French friends and colleagues to buy a group present. Ramener is everyday French for bringing something along (strictly apporter for things, but you'll hear ramener everywhere). MDR is the French LOL, and ptdr (pété de rire) is a stronger, slangier version.
- Qui apporte qui ?Qui ramène quoi ?
Quoi for things.
- C'est une surprise partie.C'est une fête surprise.
Une surprise-partie is old-fashioned for any party.