Word up Your French: râler
I'm not sure how râler became such a trendy Gallic pastime, but they say it's good for your health, so I'm sure French people aren't stopping anytime soon. Plus, it apparently shows that we constantly seek to improve society are that we are not ready to settle for anything less than perfect (ahem).
What exactly does it mean?
It may seem easy to think of a good translation for the word, but none of them are accurate enough, it seems, to fully seize the essence of what it is exactly French people are doing when they go on a râling rant.
Râler, (verb) means to verbally express one's anger, discontentement or annoyance (keeping in mind that the three are very often linked). Râler encompasses a lot of possibilities: you may whine, complain, rant, grumble, or even do all of these at the same time. Don't limit yourself! Although, as I read somewhere "[râler is] somewhat more distinguished than whining, but not nearly as precise as complaining".
Where does this amazing word come from?
A râle, in French, is a wheeze or rale. It has something to do with the sound you make when your pulmonary functions collapse. From what I know, it is usually associated with death, as in, the last breath you take (in French "le dernier râle"). Not a particularly joyful concept if you ask me.
A râle also refers to the guttural cry of an animal. And then again means there's something not quite right going on. It might even be a bit scary.
So, where do we go from here? If you say something 'on a râle', either you're about to pass away, or you want to express an intense dissatisfaction, as if you carried the weight of the world on your shoulders. Râler is thus your way of saying "Why, World, are you trying to kill me??".
Now how am I supposed to use it?
There is something mesmerizing about French people constantly complaining. Because it's true they spend their time mumbling about everything and anything (trust me, I'm one of them) but they are in fact, very aware that they do so and sometimes even feel bad about not being able to stop. That may be why the verb 'râler' is always used in a negative way.
"We spent our holidays with Michel* and he kept râling about everything! And he wasn't even enjoying anything because he constantly found something to complain about! I can't stand Michel."**
It might also be why every French child has at least once (a day) been told :
"Arrête de râler."
* No offense to any Michel. I admire and respect Michels worldwide. ** You know you are French when you constantly complain about people complaining.
So you see, it's not about being grumpy and mean, we simply want to say that We. Don't. Like. It.