mal de chien

French

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /mal də ʃjɛ̃/

Noun

mal de chien m (uncountable)

  1. (colloquial) great pain
    Cette entorse me fait un mal de chien, j’espère que ça va passer.
    This sprain hurts like hell; I hope it gets better.
  2. (colloquial) great difficulty
    J’ai eu un mal de chien à trouver ce livre, donc ne le perds pas!
    I had a hell of a job finding that book, so don't lose it!

Usage notes
  • Almost always used with undefinite article "un", often in verbal expressions such as "faire un mal de chien", "avoir un mal de chien".

See also
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