Learning French: when and why do we say vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche?
A handy phrase used to admire or criticise
This French expression literally translates as: to live on love and fresh water
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If you are feeling madly in love this Valentine’s Day, you may hear someone describe you as living d’amour et d’eau fraîche (living on love and fresh water).
Things are not all sunshine and rainbows, however, as this peculiar phrase can also have more critical undertones.
We look at the potentially ambiguous meanings behind this expression and explain how to use it in spoken French.
What does vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche mean?
It literally translates as: to live on love and fresh water.
In reality, vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche is used to describe someone as being content with the basic necessities in life, rather than being motivated by material desires.
The exact origins of this expression are difficult to pin down, however some theories suggest it comes from the idea of new couples losing their appetite at the beginning of a relationship. It implies that they are so caught up in their emotions that they require nothing more than love and water to survive.
This saying can also more generally refer to someone who lives a carefree existence, in blissful ignorance. It suggests they are irresponsible and reluctant to face up to reality.
It can therefore be used to admire or criticise, depending on the context, however it is most often used in a negative sense.
Read also: French words and phrases with no real equivalent in English
When do you say vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche?
Say this to describe someone who is in a love trance:
It can also be used to criticise a person who refuses to take responsibility:
Elle pense qu'elle peut vivre d'amour et d'eau fraîche, mais elle doit faire face à la réalité et payer ses dettes. - She thinks life is all sunshine and rainbows, but she needs to get with reality and pay her debts.
You could even mix both meanings:
Elle ne pense qu'à son crush, comme si elle vivait un rêve. Elle doit comprendre qu'elle ne peut pas vivre d'amour et d'eau fraîche. - She only thinks of her crush, like she is living in a dream. She needs to wake up and smell the coffee.
Read also: Learning French: when and why would we describe someone as un Bisounours?
To whom do you say vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche?
It is informal, colloquial language and can be used with friends and family.
This saying is mainly reserved for oral discussions and can cause offence, especially when used as a criticism.
Read also: Learning French: the origins and meaning of fada
