Summary
A cheeky and elegant French way to say "to have sex" — but literally about sending yourself flying! This expression adds a poetic touch to intimate conversations and is perfect for intermediate learners who want to understand French subtlety.
S'envoyer en l'air
Extract / Intro Description
If you hear someone in France saying they "sent themselves in the air," they're not talking about skydiving or trampolines. This refined expression is the French way of describing intimate moments with a touch of elegance. It's a perfect example of how French transforms even the most basic human experiences into poetry.
Difficulty & Formality
65% – Intermediate
70% – Casual to semi-formal, but elegant
Intimate conversations, songs, literature
Meaning
Literal translation:
To send oneself in the air
Real meaning:
To have sex (in a poetic and refined way)
This expression evokes the sensation of "flying" or "soaring" during intimate moments, transforming a basic concept into something almost lyrical.
Example
Ils se sont envoyés en l'air tout le week-end.
They had a great time together all weekend long.
Origin / Fun Fact
This expression plays on the metaphor of physical elevation and the sensation of "flying" during moments of pleasure. While it might sound old-fashioned today, it's still used in French songs and romantic literature to add a touch of class to intimate references. It's the French way of being suggestive without being crude.
Variations Based on Formality
Phrase
Meaning
Formality Level
On s'est envoyés en l'air
We had sex
Faire l'amour
To make love
Coucher ensemble
To sleep together
Your Turn
Have you noticed how different languages have poetic ways to talk about intimate topics? What's the most elegant expression you know in your language?
Share your thoughts in the comments below — we love discovering cultural differences in language!
Explore Our Free E-Books
Find this expression and many more inside the free e-books here.
About Alexis
Alexis is the creator behind the popular Instagram accounts @french.expressions and @expresiones.francesas, where thousands of language learners discover French idioms through engaging visual content.
View all posts by Alexis