folies bergere: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Cultural
Quick answer
What does “folies bergere” mean?
The name of a world-famous, historic Parisian cabaret music hall, known for its lavish shows featuring singers, dancers, acrobats, and elaborate costumes and sets, famous for establishing the glamorous revue format.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The name of a world-famous, historic Parisian cabaret music hall, known for its lavish shows featuring singers, dancers, acrobats, and elaborate costumes and sets, famous for establishing the glamorous revue format.
Used metaphorically to refer to something reminiscent of its extravagant, spectacular, and often risqué style of entertainment; a byword for lavish, theatrical showmanship and Parisian nightlife culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Recognition may be slightly higher among British speakers due to geographical and cultural proximity.
Connotations
Both varieties associate it with Parisian sophistication, historical entertainment, and artistic spectacle.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language. Primarily encountered in cultural, historical, or artistic contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “folies bergere” in a Sentence
[The/This/Their] [show/production/extravaganza] was straight out of the Folies Bergère.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “folies bergere” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The costume had a distinct Folies-Bergère flair.
- He described the party's décor as Folies-Bergère-esque.
American English
- The production design was very Folies Bergère.
- She wore a Folies-Bergère-inspired headdress.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Potentially in marketing or branding for products evoking luxury, Paris, or vintage glamour.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, theatre history, French studies, and analyses of performance art and popular entertainment.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by someone discussing a trip to Paris or a very elaborate show.
Technical
Used in historical performance studies and entertainment industry history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “folies bergere”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “folies bergere”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “folies bergere”
- Misspelling as 'Follies Berger' or 'Folies Berger'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a folies bergere').
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing 'berg-EAR' instead of the French 'ber-ZHERE'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The original venue closed as a theatre in 2015. The brand and legacy continue, but the historic building is no longer hosting the famous revues.
It means 'shepherdess'. The name was likely chosen for its pastoral, playful, or fashionable connotations at the time of founding.
It's best used specifically for the historical institution or for things directly inspired by its distinctive style. Using it for any fancy show might be seen as hyperbolic or inaccurate.
In British English, it's roughly /ˌfɒl.i ˈbeə.ʒeə/. In American English, /ˌfoʊ.li ˈber.ʒer/. The 'g' is soft, like the 's' in 'measure'.
The name of a world-famous, historic Parisian cabaret music hall, known for its lavish shows featuring singers, dancers, acrobats, and elaborate costumes and sets, famous for establishing the glamorous revue format.
Folies bergere is usually formal / cultural in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not exactly the Folies Bergère. (Said of something unspectacular or amateurish)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Follies' (foolish, playful things) and 'Bergère' (French for shepherdess). Picture a playful, lavish Parisian show with dancers in shepherdess costumes.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAVISH ENTERTAINMENT IS THE FOLIES BERGÈRE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the Folies Bergère primarily known as?