galère
struggle / nightmare / pain in the ass
Intermediate Noun Feminine
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Pronunciation
/ɡa.lɛʁ/
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Cultural Note
Originally a 'galère' was a ship rowed by slaves or prisoners — so when a French person says 'c'est la galère,' they're comparing their situation to being chained to an oar. The verb form 'galérer' means to struggle through something painful. IKEA furniture assembly, French bureaucracy, the Paris Métro at rush hour — all galères. It perfectly captures the French talent for dramatic suffering over everyday inconveniences.
📝 Example Sentences
Trouver un appart à Paris, c'est la galère.
Finding an apartment in Paris is an absolute nightmare.
J'ai galéré pendant deux heures pour monter ce meuble.
I struggled for two hours to assemble this furniture.