Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir un cœur d'artichaut
A peculiar yet poetic phrase to describe hopeless romantics
Use this artichoke-themed French expression to describe someone who falls in love easily
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Franchement, tu as un cœur d'artichaut…
If someone in France says you have an ‘artichoke heart’ they are implying that you fall in love often and easily.
We look at the metaphor behind this poetic vegetable expression and explain how you might use it as Valentine’s Day approaches.
What does avoir un cœur d'artichaut mean?
This peculiar expression literally translates as: to have an artichoke heart.
Rather than describing a heart that is green and leafy, the saying actually refers to the idea of being a ‘hopeless romantic,’ suggesting that someone has a tender heart and falls in love easily.
Read also: Learning French: when and why do we say avoir un coup de cœur?
What are the origins of avoir un cœur d'artichaut?
This saying stems from a 19th Century proverb and expression: cœur d’artichaut, une feuille pour tout le monde (artichoke heart, one leaf for everyone).
The metaphor is inspired by the way in which artichokes are eaten - pulling the leaves one by one to reach the tender ‘heart’ of the vegetable. This creates the image of someone who feels strong but fleeting emotions, distributing love to several different people with great ease.
You will even hear this poetic phrase featured in literature or lyrics, for example, in the song Embrasse-les tous by Georges Brassens
Read also: Aimer, adorer, kiffer: understand the language of love in France
When do you say avoir un cœur d'artichaut?
Say this to describe someone who falls in love easily:
Mes amis disent que j'ai un cœur d'artichaut. Que veux-tu? Je ne peux pas m'empêcher de voir la beauté en chacun. - My friends say I am a hopeless romantic. I just can’t help but see the beauty in everyone.
Il ne s'engage jamais dans une relation amoureuse sérieuse à cause de son cœur d'artichaut. - He never commits to a serious relationship because he falls in love too easily.
Tout le monde le prenait pour un cœur d'artichaut mais la vérité est qu'il a un cœur de pierre. - Everyone took him for a hopeless romantic but the truth is that he has a heart of stone.
To whom do you say avoir un cœur d'artichaut?
It is a colloquial expression that can be used in many formal or informal contexts - with friends, family or strangers.
The saying is usually received as an innocent tease and should not cause any extreme offence.
Read also: Learning French: the many uses of the word tomber
