Learning French: the origins and meaning of chanter en yaourt

Language learners are often encouraged to listen to music in their target language as it can help with identifying words, rhymes and pronunciation.

When getting to grips with a new language, however, foreign song lyrics can sound like a jumble of gibberish, gobbledygook nonsense. You will likely find yourself mimicking sounds without understanding the meaning behind them.

The French refer to this phenomenon as: chanter en yaourt (to sing in yoghurt).

It is something we have all been guilty of and it can even happen in English… Just think, do you really know all the words to the Y.M.C.A. or Bohemian Rhapsody?

We look at how you can use this fun phrase to describe your French singing attempts and explore how its origins date back to the Hundred Years’ War. 

Read also: 6 songs to capture the rhythms of the French language

What does chanter en yaourt mean?

The literal translation of this idiom is, to sing in yoghurt, however it actually refers to the random sounds made when you pretend to know the lyrics to a song.

It is similar to the idea of 'fumbling' through lyrics or singing ‘gibberish.’ 

There is no real equivalent expression, however - perhaps because English-speakers are typically less-exposed to international music in foreign languages.

What are the origins of chanter en yaourt?

Some sources suggest yogurt was consumed in France as far back as the Hundred Years’ War, however, others report milk fermentation techniques were first used on French soil in 1542. 

During the reign of  Francis I, a doctor from the Turkish Empire used yogurt made from sheep's milk to treat the king's intestinal problems. He did not publicly share the recipe for this dairy, 'medicine' even though it was eaten in other parts of the world.  

The first yoghurt laboratory and factory opened in France in 1932 and yogurt, as we know it today, became gradually more popular.

At the same time, the yéyé musical period was booming, particularly throughout the 1960s. Yéyé generally refers to French songs adapted from or inspired by English-language hits, mimicking the sound of English vowels and the repetition of 'yeah' in popular music.

As yogurt and les yéyés grew in popularity, so did the expression: chanter en yaourt, creating a vivid image of incomprehensible sounds, mumbling and bubbling through a bowl of thick yogurt. 

Today, it mainly applies to the world of karaoke, especially when replacing unknown song lyrics with similar-sounding phonetic noises.

N’oubliez pas les paroles!

N'oubliez pas les paroles (Don’t forget the lyrics), is a popular French programme where the goal is to avoid chanter en yaourt. 

It has been aired on France 2 since 2007, broadcasting more than 5000 episodes, and is basically like a televised karaoke battle. Contestants must rely on their memory to complete blank lyrics of popular songs to win a jackpot.

Read also: These 10 songs can help you improve your French

This is a great programme to watch if you are interested in learning classic French songs.

When do you say chanter en yaourt?

This phrase is only used in the specific context of someone singing a load of nonsense:

• C'est ta chanson préférée mais tu chantes en yaourt ! Ces paroles n'ont même pas de sens. - This is your favourite song but you are singing gobbledygook! These lyrics don’t even make sense. 

• Je ne connaissais pas les paroles, alors j'ai chanté en yaourt. - I didn’t know the lyrics so I sang nonsense instead. 

To whom do you say chanter en yaourt?

It is colloquial language and can be used with friends and family.

It usually comes across as a light-hearted tease and should not cause offence.

Read also: Understanding 'pédaler dans la semoule': a deep dive into French idioms