J'ai hâte d'être au 31

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

J'ai hâte d'être au 31

Contrary to previous comments below in response to Dragana and Danica - this line can indeed translate as I am looking forward to the 31st (ie New Year's Eve in this case), which fits exactly the context of this story. It is not the expression "d'étre sur son 31" which would translate as  '(to be) dressed up to the nines'

Asked 3 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Maarten, 

Thank you for pointing this out, although it took me a while to find the actual question on the forum as it only appears at the end of the exercise after completion, I have been told.

Another expression for you -

J'étais complètment à côté de la plaque 

and I am not sure why I misread the question completely.

All sorted now. 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

You're thinking of the expression "se mettre sur son 31", I believe: "to be dressed to the nines" would be the corresponding English expression. If you google the origins of the two phrases and, in particular, the numbers in them, it makes for interesting reading.

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Yes Chris - the expression is 'se mettre sur son 31', but if you read through the questions and comments I refer to, you will see why I have written it this way. The point is the information given in responses to questions on the translation of the phrase in the dictation text is incorrect.

J'ai hâte d'être au 31

Contrary to previous comments below in response to Dragana and Danica - this line can indeed translate as I am looking forward to the 31st (ie New Year's Eve in this case), which fits exactly the context of this story. It is not the expression "d'étre sur son 31" which would translate as  '(to be) dressed up to the nines'

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