Learning French: when and why do we say être un rat?
Use this word to describe someone who is unwilling to spend money
English synonyms of être un rat include: to be a cheapskate and to be tight-fisted
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One of the most popular animated films to be set in France is Ratatouille. This heart-warming story takes place in a fine Parisian restaurant and follows a talented chef, who also happens to be a rat.
In everyday French however, being called a rat actually implies that you prefer to save money rather than spend it.
We look at why rats are compared to penny-pinchers and learn even more stingy words and phrases.
Read also: How to make the perfect French Ratatouille
What does être un rat mean?
This informal phrase literally translates as: to be a rat.
Comparing someone to a rat usually comes with negative connotations. In this case, it describes someone as being unwilling to spend money.
You might also come across these similar slang sayings:
Être pingre - To be a cheapskate
Être avare - To be tight-fisted
Être chiche - To be stingy
Être un rapiat - To be cheap
Être (un) grippe-sou - To be penny-pinching
Read also: French expressions about money: Should I use thunes or argent?
What are the origins of être un rat?
The word rat (a rat) is said to have the same origin as rapiat (a cheapskate). They both stem from the Latin rapere: to take away or remove.
These connotations led to the phrase être un rat, referring to someone as stingy and thieving.
These descriptions also match with the stereotypical nature of a rat, known for pinching food to be saved up and stored away. This metaphor could be transferred to the context of counting pennies and holding onto money.
When do you say être un rat?
You can say this in casual conversations to describe someone who does not like extravagences or spending lots of money:
Mon frère est un vrai rat. Il m'a fait payer la banane que j'ai mangée chez lui. - My brother is a real cheapskate. He made me pay him for the banana I ate at his place.
Certains disent que je suis devenu un rat, moi je dis que je suis devenu un écolo. - Some say I have become stingy but I say I have become eco-friendly.
Read also: Oh la vache ! 17 French animal expressions to try
To whom do you say être un rat?
It is informal language and can be used with friends and family.
Remember to add the letter E to create radine when referring to a woman or girl.
This saying could cause offence as many people dislike being called stingy.
Read also: Learning French: tout est bon dans le cochon and other pig expressions
