Galère: Use Your Struggles to Speak French with Ease

We don’t all know it all! 

And this one is a little unfamiliar to me too, which means it’s all the more exciting to share! 

Why?

Simply because teaching something means you’ve ‘got it’ and I strongly recommend that you take this and teach someone else afterwards.  

So . . . The verb galérer is an informal French verb that is commonly used in casual conversations. It has its roots in the word "galère," which originally referred to a galley ship, where rowers were often slaves or prisoners who had to endure harsh conditions. Over time, the verb galérer took on a figurative meaning, reflecting the idea of struggling or having a hard time.

Let’s look at it in action:

• Galère - its meaning

• Galère - how to use it in context

• Galère - some great examples to help you remember

What does “galère” mean?

Once you know the history of the word, you will grasp the meaning better.

A “galère” refers to a ship’s gallery. This ship required a lot of effort, man’s manpower, and we can say slavery. In other words, in order to move this ship, some people struggled a lot to do so.

This is why the word “galère” and the verb “galérer” mean to struggle or to have a tough time.

How to use “galère” in context.

As you have seen, it signifies to struggle, like in this example:

• Je galère avec mes devoirs. >>> I struggle with my homework.

This time we want to describe a hard time and use it in the past: 

• On a galéré pour trouver une place de parking. >>> We had a hard time finding a parking lot.

A lot of effort for a little reward.

The previous examples showed that there were obstacles, but in the end there was a reward. Yet in some situations, it means a lot of effort for a little reward, like in this illustration:

• Il galère dans ses leçons, mais il oublie toujours le vocabulaire. >>> He puts in a lot of effort in his lessons but he always forgets the vocabulary.

When it comes with pain.

If you can’t stand a situation and you are about to explode, use the word galérer. Think about the traditional strikes in France that can really make your life miserable!

Let’s have a look at a concrete example:

• On a galéré pendant des heures à cause de la panne d’électricité. >>> We were really put out because of the power cut.

So there  you have it; you have learnt the meaning of the French word “galère” and its verb. Now, you know that it implies a struggle, a hard time, a lot of effort, and you being in a difficult situation that can make you angry.

Here are some other lessons with the subtleties of French:

5 ways to say because in French 

Mine de rien and its meaning

What are your “galères” in French so I can help you? ...Always happy to connect . . .