Learning French
The origins and meaning of ne pas perdre le nord
A reminder to keep your head screwed on
The phrase literally translates as: to not lose the north
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We look at how this flexible French metaphor, linked to Polaris and compasses, can be adapted to fit a range of different situations.
What does ne pas perdre le nord mean?
It literally translates as: to not lose the north.
This French phrase means that someone has a fixed idea, goal or moral in their mind and stays focused on respecting or achieving it.
Similar English expressions include:
To stay on track
To have your head screwed on right
To know what you are about
To keep your bearings
To not lose sight of something
Ne pas perdre le nord is most often heard in the negative form, however you can also use perdre le nord (to lose the north) if someone has been misled, manipulated or loses themself.
What are the origins of ne pas perdre le nord?
It can be traced to the 16th Century and is linked to the North Star (Polaris) which people - especially sailors and explorers - used to calculate their direction of travel.
Polaris stays almost perfectly still and sits almost directly above the North Pole, meaning that it is a useful marker for navigation.
In a similar vein, other synonymous French expressions are ne pas perdre ses repères and garder le cap, the words repère and cap both referring to a geographical point or destination.
When do you say ne pas perdre le nord?
You can say it to remind someone of their goals or to encourage them to get back on track:
You can also say it to describe people who stay true to themselves:
In this case, the word jamais (never) replaces ne pas to emphasise the message.
To whom do you say ne pas perdre le nord?
It is neutral language that can be used with friends, family, colleagues or strangers in formal or informal situations.
Depending on your tone of voice and the context surrounding the use of this phrase, it could either come across as complimentary or critical.
If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other Learning French suggestions, let us know at: feedback@connexionfrance.com
