Learning French: the origins and meaning of chanter en yaourt

Language learners are often encouraged to listen to music in their target language as it can help with identifying words, rhymes and pronunciation.

When getting to grips with a new language, however, foreign song lyrics can sound like a jumble of gibberish, gobbledygook nonsense. You will likely find yourself mimicking sounds without understanding the meaning behind them.

The French refer to this phenomenon as: chanter en yaourt (to sing in yoghurt).

It is something we have all been guilty of and it can even happen in English… Just think, do you really know all the words to the Y.M.C.A. or Bohemian Rhapsody?

We look at how you can use this fun phrase to describe your French singing attempts and explore how its origins date back to the Hundred Years’ War. 

Read also: 6 songs to capture the rhythms of the French language

What does chanter en yaourt mean?

The literal translation of this idiom is, to sing in yoghurt, however it actually refers to the random sounds made when you pretend to know the lyrics to a song.

It is similar to the idea of 'fumbling' through lyrics or singing ‘gibberish.’ 

There is no real equivalent expression, however - perhaps because English-speakers are typically less-exposed to international music in foreign languages.

What are the origins of chanter en yaourt?

This saying comes from the Middle Ages and the Hundred Years’ War, at a time when British soldiers tried to force French-speakers to use the English language. 

Very few people knew how to read and write, and so language was transferred orally. This led to difficulties in comprehension as words were misheard, mispronounced and misunderstood.

The English were known for eating yoghurts and soon became associated with these fermented dairy products. Whenever the French could not distinguish a particular word, they would say the person was mumbling in yoghurt. 

This fun, visual expression has since evolved, and today mainly applies to the world of karaoke, especially when replacing unknown song lyrics with similar-sounding phonetic noises.

N’oubliez pas les paroles!

N'oubliez pas les paroles (Don’t forget the lyrics), is a popular French programme where the goal is to avoid chanter en yaourt. 

It has been aired on France 2 since 2007, broadcasting more than 5000 episodes, and is basically like a televised karaoke battle. Contestants must rely on their memory to complete blank lyrics of popular songs to win a jackpot.

Read also: These 10 songs can help you improve your French

This is a great programme to watch if you are interested in learning classic French songs.

When do you say chanter en yaourt?

This phrase is only used in the specific context of someone singing a load of nonsense:

• C'est ta chanson préférée mais tu chantes en yaourt ! Ces paroles n'ont même pas de sens. - This is your favourite song but you are singing gobbledygook! These lyrics don’t even make sense. 

• Je ne connaissais pas les paroles, alors j'ai chanté en yaourt. - I didn’t know the lyrics so I sang nonsense instead. 

To whom do you say chanter en yaourt?

It is colloquial language and can be used with friends and family.

It usually comes across as a light-hearted tease and should not cause offence.

Read also: Understanding 'pédaler dans la semoule': a deep dive into French idioms