Les Intraduisibles : insortable

The French noun insortable is one of our favourite intraduisibles here at Babylangues! It’s a well-known term that is used to describe somebody who can’t take anywhere. We all know someone who is so slovenly or inappropriate in social situations that you just HAVE to leave them at home!

Ah mon dieu, elle est insortable!     
Oh my gosh, you can’t take her anywhere!

Insortable is commonly used in France as a colloquial term, often in a derogatory manner. For example, you may describe a friend or family member as insortable if they are simply impossible to go out with since he or she is so poorly behaved. The word is a fairly recent addition to the French language, emerging only in the past 50 years or so.

Click HERE for more of our favourite “untranslatable” expressions!