Theoretically, I love clean, minimalist, zen decor. However, it’s only an aspirational state, one that is completely unattainable for me. Entropy rules my life. A clear surface, an empty wall, any unfilled space soon attracts objects. I continually fight this predisposition. Thus, I knew I needed to learn French synonyms for all things messy.
‘Messy’ Mots:
un désordre mess, disorder
désordonné/e adj: untidy, disorderly, sloppy, uncoordinated
un bazar mess (familier), clutter (familier), bazaar, general store
une pagaille shambles, mess, disorder
le fatras jumble, hodgepodge
le fouillis mess, jumble, confusion, trouble, also adj: untidy, messy
un encombrement room clutter, bulky furniture, traffic congestion, blockage, glut
le foutoir shambles (coll.), complete chaos, dump (untidy place), disorder
une chienlit havoc, chaos
la gabegie chaos, muddle, mess (pej)
le capharnaüm shambles (coll), souk, glory-hole
le chantier mess (familier), building site, construction yard
débraillé sloppy, slovenly, messy
le bastringue confusion, désordre, bedlam, dancehall
un embrouillamini confusion, muddle
un chamboulement mess
un chaos chaos, shambles
la débandade complete chaos
un fourbi mess (familier)
un gâchis mess, waste, shambles
le tohu-bohu confusion, disorder
un éparpillement disorder, scattered
Cynthia Tuttelman (aka "Tut") is a writer, family doctor and quilter who lives in Northern California and part-time each year in Paris, France. Follow along and explore the wonders of Paris.